Monday Night Massacre

Posted: November 11th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 77 Comments »

The Eagles led 45-7 before giving up a couple of garbage time TDs. The final score was 45-21.

What a night.

The Eagles finally played a complete game. They didn’t turn the ball over. The offense was good in the Red Zone. The defense played well and came up with 9 sacks, as well as 5 takeaways. The only complaint I have is with the garbage TD that Cary Williams gave up late. Take that away and the Eagles played a nearly flawless game.

Mark Sanchez impressed the heck out of me.He was 20-37-332 with a pair of TDs. Sanchez threw the ball well and looked like the real deal for most of the night. I’ll discuss him more at length on Tuesday.

The player I enjoyed the most was Connor Barwin. He had 3.5 sacks. Beyond that, he passed the eye test in a big way. On one play he just threw the RT to the ground.

There was another play where Barwin ran over the LG. At the same time, he showed his athletic ability on a couple of plays. He spied Cam Newton and chased him down for a sack on one play. There was a 4th down pass play where Barwin shadowed a WR down the sideline and force a bad throw. Barwin better get some serious Pro Bowl talk this year.

Fletcher Cox got his first sack of the season. It was great to see that. Mychal Kendricks had 8 solo stops and was all over the field. His sack of Newton was impressive. Kendricks slung Newton down aggressively. It is easy to forget that Newton is about 260 pounds.

Darren Sproles added a PR for a score. He is the team’s MVP to this point in the season and continues to blow me away with everything he does.

The Eagles now improve to 7-2. They remain atop the NFC East and and in contention for the #1 playoff seed. It was great to see the team play a clean game…no turnovers. This team is a force to be reckoned with when they make the opponent beat them . Too often this year, the Eagles have beaten themselves with sloppy play. No more, well at least for tonight. Not a perfect game to be sure, but pretty darn impressive.

_

77 Comments on “Monday Night Massacre”

  1. 1 Crazymike663 said at 12:50 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    WOW he ran him over !! go Eagles 1st

  2. 2 the guy said at 12:55 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Just like I always said: the Eagles have one the best defenses in the league and Mark Sanchez is an amazing quarterback.

    Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go argue with unicorns and sleep on the roof. The moon’s rays will keep me warm.

  3. 3 TommyLawlor said at 7:34 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Brilliant.

  4. 4 Stanimal said at 12:56 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    At this point there are only two teams in the league that actually scare me. Green Bay and Denver. Both have very good QBs who are not afraid to test CBs. If we win easily next weekend in Lambeau I feel very confident in our ability to at least make it to the Superbowl.

  5. 5 Mitchell said at 1:13 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Bringing pressure to the QB could never be more important.

  6. 6 anon said at 1:22 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    green bay could not make the playoffs which would be great imo

  7. 7 Media Mike said at 5:01 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Or win out and have home field.

  8. 8 Avery Greene said at 1:32 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Detroit has the talent, whether they would put it together in a game against us remains to be seen. Don’t sleep on that team.

    I’d also be wary of the Patriots. Belichik is a phenomenal coach. Ummm, and the one team that won’t make the playoffs but worries me is NY. For some reason, outside of MNF, they usually give us a hard time.

  9. 9 MaggieMagpie said at 1:46 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    How about if we just win?

  10. 10 Mitchell said at 1:12 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    It’s worth another post.

  11. 11 shah8 said at 1:20 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    One of the things I was musing about was that perhaps Joe Webb would have done better at QB than Cam, since he can provide the QB rushing that would slow down the pass rush some.

    Then I realized that he would be the fastest guy on the offense.

    Joe Webb trying to run routes is a very serious indictment of that WR corps. I mean, why isn’t Corey (Philly) Brown put in instead? And Stephen Hill still can’t play himself off the practice squad…

  12. 12 Lewwyn said at 1:25 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Corey Brown was out with concussion.

  13. 13 shah8 said at 1:53 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    thx for the explanation. Yeah, but you know? I do not think there is *anyone* else with more speed on that offensive squad. Yeah, 4.4 Joe Webb is fast, but as you saw, pretty much all corners are 4.4 or 4.5–can’t outrun any of them without some shakes.

    It is amazing to me…literally amazing to me, just how slow a WR corps Gettleman assembled in Carolina. Even in the darkest days of 2011 and 2012 for the Vikings, there was Percy Harvin, and there was guys like Stephen Burton, Benard Berrian, Jerome Simpson, Devin Aromashadu, etc.

    Guys…Clay freakin’ Harbor might beat Kelvin Benjamin in a footrace!

    Horrid, horrid, horrid GM’ing…

  14. 14 Insomniac said at 2:21 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Yet Clay Harbor amounted to nothing and Benjamin is outperforming all of our rookies.

  15. 15 shah8 said at 2:37 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Just saying, given just how common really fast guys who can give you *something* if not anything really good are…

    Yeah, Benjamin is better than Harbor, and he deserves a role in any offense, but there.is.no.speed. You need at least a little speed with hands, something something more than jump-catch-stone-hands-Hill.

  16. 16 Media Mike said at 5:09 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Benjamin dropped two passes, alligator armed balls, and ran poor routes all night until the game was in garbage time. He sucks and is a total garbage time player.

  17. 17 BreakinAnklez said at 10:01 PM on November 11th, 2014:

    He had a bad game. He’s dominated games this year. Definitely doesn’t suck.

  18. 18 Anders said at 5:20 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Not to be point a few facts, but Clay Harbor is a great athlete in the mold of Joe Webb, just not a good NFL TE

  19. 19 xeynon said at 1:38 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    I was about to post “we had a Joe Webb sighting tonight. No doubt shah thinks the Panthers could have won the game if only they’d put him in at quarterback.”

    That post was going to be a parody. And here I log on, and you’ve already gotten there? Brilliant.

  20. 20 Media Mike said at 5:02 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Corey Brown is just about the most non-Philly guy ever. He skips public school to flee to O’Hara and then goes to Ohio State. Sellout Brown would be a better name.

  21. 21 D3FB said at 11:02 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    So you hate Jaelen Strong too?

  22. 22 phillychuck said at 1:21 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Here he is trucking the guard. Pretty impressive, but bad balance from the guard, too.

    http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2014/11/10/7191793/connor-barwin-is-a-beast-video

  23. 23 Iskar36 said at 1:26 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    I’m glad to see you being critical of the garbage time TD given up by Williams. I think there will be at least some people who will completely overlook it because it was a blowout, and in most cases, I would agree with them. Still, the defense has given up way to many of those long TDs, so to me, it reflects that trend regardless of the situation of the game.

    Our defense has had many stretches where they have looked very good, but unfortunately, even if you play a very solid game for the most part, if you give up only a few of those types of plays, it can quickly change the outcome of a game. It certainly cost us in Arizona for example. So while that TD obviously didn’t impact this game in any real way, it is the kind of mistake that is really hurting this defense.

  24. 24 anon said at 1:29 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    i’m ok, 5 turnovers, like 6 sacks, if the game gets close it’s the offense that’s not working.

  25. 25 Avery Greene said at 1:30 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    I agree. It’s easy to pick apart all the mistakes, but the offense needs to be more crisp. We’ll see how they come out against GB next week.

  26. 26 MaggieMagpie said at 1:45 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Could you not enjoy the result and wait to start nitpicking 1 day?

  27. 27 Avery Greene said at 1:50 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    LOL – I’m not usually this pessimistic. I’m actually pretty fun to be around… 🙂

  28. 28 jesse said at 3:06 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Go away

  29. 29 anon said at 1:50 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Think we have a pass rush the bears don’t have — game will be interesting for sure, 2 teams coming off blowouts.

  30. 30 Avery Greene said at 1:52 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    It’ll be an interesting game. I have a lunch bet and a drink round bet on this game. I hope they don’t disappoint.

  31. 31 Avery Greene said at 1:29 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    I hope no one is overlooking it. The front 7 makes our secondary look good. I will say, even without the INT, Fletcher played well tonight. Made some nice plays on the ball. Allen got beat a couple times. They are what they are, but the front 7 is what makes this defense go.

    BTW – I don’t think they’ll put Matthews in coverage against a TE like that again. I think I believe in him as a smart player, but he doesn’t have the speed to hang w/receivers/TEs.

  32. 32 Mitchell said at 1:35 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    It’s because Fletcher is finally turning around when the ball is in the air. That was so frustrating early in the year and the reason he was being picked on so much.

  33. 33 mtn_green said at 11:35 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Can’t turn his head on faster receivers.

  34. 34 Mitchell said at 12:07 PM on November 11th, 2014:

    You mean Fletcher or as a corner in general?

  35. 35 anon said at 1:38 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    sanchez 7 for 7 in the red zone

  36. 36 Mitchell said at 1:38 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    I like that stat for sure! It was nice to have a game with no turnovers for once.

  37. 37 Media Mike said at 5:10 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Shocking a player would have a strong red zone performance vs. Sean McDermott.

  38. 38 Anders said at 5:18 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Dont remind me of 2010 🙁

  39. 39 Media Mike said at 5:20 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    We officially got revenge vs. the dolt McDermott. I’m hoping he found his seppuku blade and did the honorable thing last night.

  40. 40 Mitchell said at 1:38 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Off topic but I watched Kevin White’s game against Baylor. He is literally everything chip is looking for in a WR. 6’3″, 210, good RAC skills, excellent blocking. Unfortunately I feel like he will be picked ahead of us in the draft. If that is the case, however, we can take solace in #puttingyourCoateson.

  41. 41 xeynon said at 1:45 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    I think as Jordan Matthews adapts to the NFL and starts to play to his timed speed it’ll become apparent that he’s potential #1 WR material. He’s had a pretty terrific rookie year and has the whole package in terms of physical tools – he just needs to develop his ability to set up DBs and read coverages and his 4.46 speed will be more than fast enough given his size and physicality.

  42. 42 Mitchell said at 1:47 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    True, but I need Cooper out of there and it is never too early to start your research on next year’s draft class.

  43. 43 Anders said at 4:15 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Matthews will most likely be the Eagles starting slot WR for the future.

  44. 44 xeynon said at 11:56 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Disagree, that’s what Huff was drafted for. I think Matthews is going to end up moving outside and taking Cooper’s job in the next few years.

  45. 45 Anders said at 4:17 AM on November 12th, 2014:

    Kelly prefers a big guy inside http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/videos/videos/Kellystrator-Week-10/d38c5b25-b4d3-41ab-b3d4-4ba45d4ccad9

    Also Huff is more of an outside, down field guy than Matthews imo.

  46. 46 Insomniac said at 2:05 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    How do you forget the main things with WRs. Hands,body control and winning contested catches. White is everything that people want Matthews to be.

  47. 47 Mitchell said at 9:06 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Lol hating on Mathews? Did you just watch the game against the Panthers?

  48. 48 mksp said at 9:22 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Kevin White is the real deal, but yeah, like ODB will go well ahead of where we can pick him. Sucks.

  49. 49 Mitchell said at 9:43 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Just put your Coates on.

  50. 50 xeynon said at 1:42 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Sanchez to me was a mixed bag. I liked the way he moved around in the pocket, kept his eyes down the field even when the rush was coming, and made a couple of really nice, precise throws.

    On the other hand, he threw up a few lollipops, missed on some easy throws (those bubble screens in particular), and made at least one screamingly awful decision (the near pick that Norman couldn’t come down in bounds with). Against a crappy secondary like Carolina’s? Sure, it’s enough. But as with Foles’ play this year, I’m not sure it’ll be enough against the kind of defenses this team will have to overcome in the playoffs to truly be labeled “the team to beat”.

  51. 51 anon said at 1:43 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    i hear you — sort of frustrating given all the opportunities that we didn’t have like 60 points. that said 0 turnovers 7 for 7 in the redzone. we can live.

  52. 52 Mitchell said at 1:45 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    If the D and ST keep playing like they are, we don’t have to rely solely on the offense.

  53. 53 Insomniac said at 2:04 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    It’s his first game starting in a long long time with a set of players that he’s not used to playing with.

  54. 54 xeynon said at 12:02 PM on November 11th, 2014:

    That’s as may be, but it was a very Folesian (circa 2014) performance, and just a week ago there was a legitimate debate about whether the quarterback play this team was getting was good enough to win a title with.

    Sanchez wasn’t awful or even bad yesterday, but the only way you could say he was very impressive or looked like “the real deal” is if you’re setting the bar pretty low. The guy has a five year NFL track record which suggests his ceiling is “poor man’s Andy Dalton”. There’s literally zero evidence that suggests he’s capable of being much better than he was last night. I think he’ll be good enough to get us to the playoffs, but beyond that, who knows.

  55. 55 anon said at 1:56 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    any thoughts on the state of the run game? what’s going on there?

  56. 56 shah8 said at 1:58 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    My guess is that the Carolina LBs did a good job plugging gaps. Guard play for run blocking wasn’t that good. Did not run behind Lane Johnson as much (vague sense of recall that could be totally wrong)

  57. 57 Media Mike said at 5:12 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    My thought is than Sean McDermott is an idiot and totally overplayed the run and left his suspect secondary wide open to be gashed because none of his D-linemen are capable of beating the Eagles O-line one on one in a pass rush.

  58. 58 Anders said at 5:17 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Makes sense. Rather test Sanchez then let McCoy, Sproles and Polk run wild

  59. 59 A_T_G said at 7:31 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    This, except for the idiot part. McDermott (should have) realized he was overmatched and playing straight up was going to get him beat. He opted to roll the dice, take away the sure-thing, death by 1000 cuts (and cut backs), and hope the QB that had been holding the clipboard for two years was rusty and made mistakes.

    It was a long shot, but it was their best shot.

  60. 60 jtre said at 1:59 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    recap of the game: http://firststopfantasy.com/nfl-teams/philadelphia-eagles/sanchez-rolls-as-eagles-sack-newton-9-times-in-a-rout/

  61. 61 IrishEagle25 said at 4:44 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Nothing like re-watching the win to confirm in my mind i made the right choice in getting 2 hours sleep last night.. Barwin seems to wait until the lineman has a foot off the ground halfway through a step before engaging him, making him easier to push over, dont know if its intentional or not, but the guy was awesome last night

  62. 62 TommyLawlor said at 7:38 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Glad your sacrifice was worth it.

  63. 63 IrishEagle25 said at 7:42 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Was hoping for a London game i could go to next year but alas, no luck.

  64. 64 Media Mike said at 5:01 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    The adults just slapped down the mental children Cam and McDermott.

  65. 65 GermanEagle said at 7:13 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Let’s trade Shady plus our 1st for that bum Newton, shall we?! #Anders

  66. 66 Anders said at 7:14 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    I still stand by it.

  67. 67 GermanEagle said at 7:19 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Don’t be surprised if you’re standing alone in the corner.

  68. 68 GEAGLE said at 8:07 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    But he has a fast 40 time….

  69. 69 mtn_green said at 10:51 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    So composed in the pocket.

    He looked like he was wearing a meat suit in a lions den.

  70. 70 CrackSammich said at 11:14 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    I wouldn’t judge him off of last night. Looked like his injuries were catching up to him. When I can notice that his throwing mechanics were off and that he wasn’t following through with any throw all night, you know it’s bad.

  71. 71 IrishEagle25 said at 7:21 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    So that was Sanchez’s first game since ’12, looked nowhere near as erratic as he did at times in New York, if he keeps it up and improves marginally every week as he gets used to the system does he get resigned? To be fair to the guy he was impressive considering how his head must have been when he left the jets and not really in full game mode mentally having not played for so long, so it is reasonable to expect he’ll improve… Would he have interest in a 50/50 battle with Foles in T/C next year? He likes the offence and the players around him…

  72. 72 GEAGLE said at 8:05 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Can’t wait to play the Packers

  73. 73 MoreViolence said at 8:17 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    I can wait. Jordy nelson matched up with Cary Williams with Nate over top screams long touchdown..”boy aaron Rodgers caught Nate Allen peeking in the backfield.”

  74. 74 GEAGLE said at 8:18 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Ok….

  75. 75 GEAGLE said at 8:18 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    Let’s see…
    4th ranked run defense
    Longest active streak of forcing a turnover in consecutive games
    2nd in sacks,. Bet our pressure percentage is high..
    …
    Let me know when everyone figures out that our defense is sticking to the script of growing into a quality defense by crunch time of this season

  76. 76 The Linc – Jordan Matthews shines bright on Monday night | Sports Feedr said at 8:20 AM on November 11th, 2014:

    […] Monday Night Massacre – Iggles BlitzMark Sanchez impressed the heck out of me. He was 20-37-332 with a pair of TDs. Sanchez threw the ball well and looked like the real deal for most of the night. I’ll discuss him more at length on Tuesday. […]

  77. 77 terrance said at 5:23 PM on November 16th, 2014:

    .

    ñïàñèáî çà èíôó!!