Photo courtesy http://www.bloggingtheboys.com
Nnamdi Asomugha and the Eagles’ defense surrendered the lead with 5:40 remaining against the Dallas Cowboys to lose their eighth straight game and second against the Cowboys this season.
The losing streak continues. Make it eight straight losses for the reeling Philadelphia Eagles.
The Philadelphia Eagles (3-9) blew a solid performance from their offense with another heartless showing on defense, giving up a late touchdown with 5:40 remaining to the Dallas Cowboys (6-6) to relinquish the lead and ultimately go on to lose 38-33.
At this point, wins are merely a statistic, because they will do nothing to affect the outcome of this season or the likely purging of the team to follow. These last few games are merely the testing ground for some of the undecided issues still revolving around this team.
Some things are certain, such as Andy Reid’s impending firing. Others are probable, such as the likely departure of Michael Vick. Yet there are still some intriguing plots to be played out for the Eagles. Their Sunday Night Football flop began to address several of these.
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Bryce Brown’s outstanding performances have been dampened by his inability to hold onto the ball.
1) Bryce Brown needs to cure his fumble-itis
Brown looks to be a star in the making. In his second game replacing the injured LeSean McCoy, the running back rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Once again, however, his night was ruined by an untimely fumble that helped to bring about the beginning of the end for the Eagles.
With the Eagles down 31-27 and trying to string together a drive, Brown fumbled by being careless with the ball in traffic. His fumble was recovered by Morris Claiborne and promptly taken back 50 yards for a touchdown to increase the Eagles’ deficit to 11 points.
There is no denying that Brown is a special talent in the making at running back. However, after three fumbles in two games, it is also clear that he took one too many lessons from Vick about holding onto the ball. He needs to be taught how to probably tuck and run with the ball. He swings it away from his body and fails to put two arms around it in piles. Until he can learn to protect the ball, he will be nothing more than a talented liability.
2) Todd Bowles is not the answer at defensive coordinator
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Todd Bowles has been unable to bring a positive change to the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense, which has gotten worse as the season progresses.
Bowles is not completely at fault for his defense’s dismal play. For one, the defense shows the least amount of heart out of any of the units and fails to play with much fire. He did inherit the defense seven weeks ago, however, which is always a tough transition.
With that being said, the Eagles have not won a game since Bowles took over for Juan Castillo. That’s a pretty broad statistic that can be influenced by other areas, though, so let’s get more specific. In the six losses since he became defensive coordinator, his unit has allowed at least 28 points in every game.
Want another statistic? I’m glad you asked. According to the breakdown by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, below are “the quarterback ratings of the five quarterbacks the Eagles have faced since Bowles took over. Keep in mind the league-leader this season (Aaron Rodgers) has a 105.6 QB rating.”
Week 8: Matt Ryan — 137.4
Week 9: Drew Brees — 128.2
Week 10: Tony Romo — 122.1
Week 11: Robert Griffin — 158.3
Week 12: Cam Newton — 125.0
After adding in Romo’s most recent quarterback rating of 150.5 against the Eagles in Week 13, only one question remains:
Need any more proof?
Photo courtesy Michael Kubel/The Morning Call
Nick Foles will have a chance to prove himself during the last few weeks of the season after he was named the starter by Andy Reid.
3) Nick Foles is serviceable and has a chance to be more
Foles is evidently growing more confident leading the Eagles’ offense. His numbers and decision-making have improved over the past three weeks.
Foles was 22 of 34 for 251 yards and one touchdown against the Cowboys. He has thrown for 793 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions and has a passer rating of 73.3 this season, and has started the last three games.
Those numbers are an improvement from his prior two starts against the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers, in which he was 21 of 46 for 204 yards and two interceptions against the Redskins and 16 of 21 for 119 yards against the Panthers.
Reid named Foles the starter for the remainder of the 2012 season even after Vick returns from injury, so Foles has a chance to continue growing and proving himself. The remaining games may not mean much for the Eagles’ season, but they are crucial for Foles to prove himself as a true starting quarterback.
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