Eagles Top Bills

It may not have been pretty, but a win is a win. The Eagles squeaked out a season ending victory over the Bills 17-9. They finished 8-8 while the Bills finish 7-9.

Donovan McNabb passed for 345 yards with a TD and an INT. He finished the season with over 3000 yards for the first time since 2004. Brian Westbrook rushed for 42 yards and added 57 yards in receptions. He broke the Eagles record for total yards from scrimmage and total receptions in a season.

Again the defense was solid only allowing three Lindell Field Goals. They held the Bills to 133 yards in the air, but gave up 105 on the ground to Marshawn Lynch.

Brent Celek scored on a pass from McNabb and Kevin Curtis again recovered a fumble in the endzone, this time by Reggie Brown. David Akers added a 38 yard FG to cover the score.

Overall the game showed us what could come of next year. A stout defense and an offense that can move the ball. Only a few tweaks are needed to make this team a contender again.

Eagles VS Bills Preview

The Eagles conclude their 2007 season Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. The Eagles have made a lot of noise in the past two weeks by shutting down Dallas' high-octane offense and outscoring New Orleans' prolific aerial attack. But the fact remains that the Eagles could not produce similar efforts earlier in the season and that's why they will miss the postseason tournament. However, they can ride the emotion of a season-ending three-game win streak and build momentum for 2008 with a win over the Bills.

Buffalo's season has been marred by injuries. Everyone knows the story of tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in the season opener and has miraculously rehabbed to the point where he can walk again. Everett is only one of 15 Bills who has landed on the team's injured reserve list, which includes cornerback Jason Webster, wide receiver Peerless Price and promising rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny.

The Bills have also been at the mercy of a difficult schedule. Six of the team's eight losses have come against teams that are headed for the playoffs. Still, the Bills are only one of three teams this decade - excluding Houston, who joined the NFL in 2002 - to have not made the playoffs. However, the Bills are headed in the right direction with a young and hungry team that has played tough throughout the season. On offense, quarterback Trent Edwards and running back Marshawn Lynch have made significant contributions as rookies. The defense has a young playmaking safety in Donte Whitner and an ironman defensive end in Aaron Schobel. They are coming off a difficult loss to the Giants where the run defense was gashed for 296 yards and the offense was unable to capitalize on good field position in a 38-21 loss.

Need a sign of just how young the Bills are? They were outscored 21-0 in the fourth quarter by the Giants, proof that they have to learn how to put games away before they can take the next step and become a playoff contender.

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LB....A Good Problem To Have

An injury to Takeo Spikes opened up the door for Stewart Bradley. And he didn't disappoint. The rookie LB from Nebraska saw extended playing time after Middle Linebacker Omar Gaither also left Sunday's game against the Saints. He registered a sack and an interception, as well as 6 tackles, including two key stops on a goal line stand.

Akeem Jordan also saw extended playing time. Playing at the WILL spot, he collected 5 tackles.

Now here is the problem. The Eagles defense only plays three linebackers at a time. Should Bradley and Jordan continue their solid play, the Eagles will have five linebackers wanting playing time. With Chris Gocong penciled in as the SAM and playing well, Bradley may push him for playing time. Or Gaither at MIKE who has played well also. Spikes is in an option year. The Eagles should keep him next year. He adds the veteran leadership this young linebacking crew needs.

Gaither has collected 94 tackles in his first year at MIKE. Spikes has 86. Gocong has 63. All three have played well.

The different scenarios are this:

Gocong- SAM - Gaither - MIKE - Spikes - WILL
Gocong - SAM - Bradley - MIKE - Gaither - WILL
Bradley - SAM - Gaither - MIKE - Spikes -WILL
Bradley -SAM - Gaither - MIKE - Jordan - WILL
Gocong - SAM - Gaither - MIKE - Jordan - WILL

There are all kinds of options for Jim Johnson. The linebackers are young and hungry. It is a good problem to have indeed.

Eagles Defeat Saints

Sweet Revenge. After losing both games in the 'Dome last year, the Eagles enacted some revenge beating the Saints 38-23 and virtually knocking them out of the playoffs.

The Eagles started off quick with QB Donovan McNabb running for 40 yards, fumbling into the endzone and recovered by Kevin Curtis. The Saints quickly struck back with Aaron Stecker plunging in from 3 yards, then again from one yard out. After that, the Eagles defense clamped down and stopped the Saints on four consecutive drives. Reggie Brown, Greg Lewis and Kevin Curtis all caught TD passes.

The biggest turn was in the 3rd quarter when the Eagles stopped the Saints on 3 straight running plays at the one yard line. They then marched 98 yards downfield to score. Two Martin Gramatica FG's later, the lead was down to 8. But McNabb and the offense again worked some magic and scored. Moments later, rookie LB Stewart Bradley intercepted Drew Brees ending any chance of a comeback.

Milestones for the game:
LB Stewart Bradley had his first career sack and interception.
RB Brian Westbrook went over the 200o yard mark from scrimmage.
Kevin Curtis went over the 1000 yard receiving mark.

LB Omar Gaither left the game after colliding with Sheldon Brown. Brown returned. Gaither did not. The Saints meanwhile lost CB Mike McKenzie and WR Marques Colston along with RB Aaron Stecker for a while.

Next up for the Eagles are the Buffalo Bills. They lost to the Giants 38-21.

Eagles VS Saints.....Round 3

Last year the Saints and the Eagles met twice, once in the regular season and once in the playoffs. Both games were won by the Saints with identical scores of 27-24. This year things are different. Both teams have had ups and down.

The Eagles have dealt with injuries to Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Brian Dawkins, Lito Sheppard and now Takeo Spikes. Meanwhile the Saints lost Duece McCallister, Eric Johnson, Bryant Young and Olindo Mare to injuries.

The Saints started out slow, but have come on since their bye week. Behind QB Drew Brees and WR Marques Colston, the Saints have the 5th ranked offense. Their D is ranked 27th, but they are strong against the run, allowing less than 100 per game.

By contrast, the Eagles rank 8th in offense with over 120 rushing yards per game. Their defense is ranked 9th and is also strong against the run allowing less than 100 yards per game.

The Eagles are out of the playoff picture. The Saints are still fighting for a spot. Eagle fans and players remember our season being over at the hands of the Saints last year. It would be sweet revenge to knock the Saints out of contention. Playing in the 'Dome will not be fun. We had bad luck last year. With any luck a new season will bring better luck.

Westbrook, Andrews Make Pro-Bowl

Finally, Brian Westbrook is getting his due.

Fans in Philadelphia have known for years how special a player Westbrook is. And as amazing as Westbrook has been during his six years in the NFL, he is an even more unbelievable team player.

Westbrook will make his second trip to the Pro Bowl in February as he, along with guard Shawn Andrews were voted to the NFC's Pro Bowl squad as reserves. Defensive end Trent Cole was named as a first alternate, despite being third in the NFL with 12.5 sacks - the most by an Eagle since Hugh Douglas had that amount in 2002.

"I think it's a big deal for me to make it. I've worked hard," said Westbrook during a press conference Tuesday. "My teammates have worked really hard to put me in this position. It's a big deal for us as a team and myself as a player as well. I continue to tip my hat off to my teammates for showing me the way to work hard and provide me with the opportunities to do the great things I've been able to do on the football field."

Sure, Westbrook has been to the Pro Bowl before. But that was after the 2004 season as an alternate. He replaced Seattle's Shaun Alexander. This is the first time he has been voted in.

"When you get voted to go play in the all-star game by your peers and the other coaches, it's definitely validates you as a player," said Westbrook. "I'm excited to have the opportunity."

Westbrook has received a lot of national publicity over the past few days for his selfless act which sealed the win in Dallas. Westbrook broke off a 24-yard run and was a mere one yard shy of his eighth rushing touchdown of the season. But offensive tackle Jon Runyan told him to kneel so the Eagles could run out the clock and Westbrook obliged. The Eagles became the first NFC team to beat Dallas this season by a 10-6 score.

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Eagles Defeat Cowboys

It wasn't pretty, but it was a win. The Eagles went into Dallas for the second year in a row and defeated the Cowboys 10-6.

Although the Offense couldn't move the ball, the Defense kept the high powered Cowboy offense in check all game. They sacked Tony Romo 4 times and forced two fumbles. They also intercepted him 3 times. It was an all around great effort on the defensive front.

On offense though, nothing has changed. We still couldn't score. The play calling was questionable once again. We attempted 41 passes when the run game was working. Brian Westbrook was the workhorse once again rushing for 81 yards and adding 63 yards in receptions. Donovan McNabb passed for 208 yards and a Touchdown to Reggie Brown. He also had 56 yards on six carries. But he was sacked 4 tines and was pressured many other times. The OL didn't look too good in this game.

Overall it was a good win, no matter how close it might have been. The win may have put us back on track to make the playoffs.