By: KO Kelly
Against the Odds
Just a few short weeks ago after the crushing loss to Dallas, the Eagles playoff chances dropped to 15%. I admittedly was ready to write off this season as a Super Bowl slump year and start planning for a more successful and less expectation-heavy 2019 campaign. Even the Patriots had missed the playoffs the first year after their first Super Bowl, so I was okay with being in that company.
Fortunately, our Birds had different plans in mind. They were not done . . .yet! Against daunting odds, Nick Foles & Co strung together three impressive wins to end the 2018 regular season and handle their piece of the playoff puzzle.
The entire Eagles team was on fire against Washington (e.g. Foles tying the record for most consecutive passes and Cox’s racking up three sacks!) and it felt like we might win the battle (our game) but lose the war (a playoff berth). The most stressful part of Sunday’s takedown of Washington was anxiously waiting for the Bears-Vikings’ in-game updates.
However, former NFC foe, Kirk Cousins, had his own Christmas present to deliver . . . just not to Vikings fans. Joining the game with only six minutes left, I believed it was certainly possible for the Vikings to overcome their 14-pt deficit, especially against the Bears’ second-string defense. That is until I saw the dejected faces of the Vikings players on the side line. As my buddy in the row in front of us at the Linc would say: “They don’t want it!”
I am not accusing these professionals of quitting but they certainly did not have the same energy and tenacity we have seen our Birds play with over the past several weeks. And the scene of Cousins’ “coaching” 2x Pro-bowl WR Thielen on how to run a route is not one you want to end your season on. Better luck next year Vikings! Note: After sending me some official Super Bowl confetti earlier this year, I wish nothing but the best for that organization – as long as the Eagles are not still in the mix!
Now onto this week’s match-up against the suddenly relevant and formidable Chicago Bears. They have a young point guard-esque QB at the helm who has performed well in his Sophomore year with a ferocious defense leading the way. Unfortunately for Turbisky, Fletcher Cox is still hungry and after last weekend’s three sack performance - Bennet, Graham, Long, & Co are eager to join the sack party. I expect the pressure of our front four and Chicago’s first playoff appearance since 2010 will ultimately be too much for Mitch (sorry Mitchell).
Da Bears defense will keep things close in the first quarter but by the second quarter Foles will find his playoff groove with a homecoming bomb to Alshon Jeffery and never look back. The 30th anniversary of the Fog Bowl will leave the Bears in a fog as to why they allowed the Eagles to join the playoff party in the first place.
Eagles Win 27-10
Record 10-7
I know Ko posted his analysis 1-4-19. I have to comment on the Eagles outcome. There is magic (St. Nick) in the air. Great team effort!!! Malcom J. will smite S. Payton. Drew Brees will have a very long night. I hope his Visa card will still work.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you Chuck. Jeffery catches that ball late in the game and the Eagles might have been playing again this Sunday, but that is why the ball bounces funny in this sport.
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