There is Hope

Posted: December 17th, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 2 Comments »

The Eagles came up with a huge win on Sunday night. That got them to 7-7 and kept their hopes for a playoff spot alive.

More importantly, the Eagles played well. They led that game 30-13 at one point. On the road. Against an 11-2 foe. The Eagles showed us something we hadn’t seen all year. Legitimately good football.

There has been some debate about what the goal should be. Sure, the Eagles could sneak into the playoffs, but what’s the point if they are struggling to beat mediocre teams. Wouldn’t it actually be better to miss the playoffs and get a higher pick? The ultimate goal is getting back to a championship level team.

We had all pretty much given up on the Eagles finding their groove and actually playing well. That may have changed last night. What we saw was a team that can beat a good opponent, on the road and under tough circumstances.

If that’s the case, then hell yes we want the Eagles to make the playoffs. That’s a one-and-done tournament that doesn’t care what you did in October and November. Show up, kick some butt and advance to the next round.

If the Eagles can repeat Sunday night’s performance, you absolutely want them in the postseason. I guarantee you opponents would be nervous about facing the guys in green.

Can the Eagles repeat that performance or was than an anomaly? That is the key question. We’ll obviously learn a lot by how they play on Sunday when the Texans come to town. It will be interesting to see if the win over the Rams boosts the Eagles confidence or just gives them false hope.

If you remember, the players talked a lot after their 34-13 win over the Giants about how the team was finally back. They thought they had flipped the switch and the team would go on a winning streak. The Eagles did get up 17-0 on the Panthers the next week, but then gave up 21 unanswered and lost a heartbreaker. So much for momentum.

The Eagles have now won three out of their last four games. The only loss was at Dallas and we know that game could have been very different if the officials gave the Eagles the ball at the 16-yard line after the opening kickoff. That didn’t happen and the Eagles never could completely get their feet under them in that game.

Injuries have significantly hurt this team and the Eagles aren’t going to play at the same level as last year. We can talk about Next Man Up and toughness and chemistry, but at a certain point you just don’t have enough talented players.

Getting Avonte Maddox back made a real difference in the secondary. That gave the Eagles a competent CB. If the Eagles could get back Jordan Hicks, Tim Jernigan and Sidney Jones, the defense could take another step forward.

The offense is what it is. That group just needs to play better, like they did last night. They put up 381 yards and 30 points. The Eagles might lack a stud RB and a speedy receiver, but they still have enough talent to play well. Doug Pederson said they simplified the gameplan and he felt that brought out the best in the players. We’ll have to see if that works going forward.

What I can tell you for sure is that there is hope. This team can win a big game. They can play good football.

Hoping for a playoff spot is no longer a wasted wish. This team showed they have the potential to play well against a good team.

I wouldn’t start making Super Bowl plans any time soon, but it sure feels good to feel good about the 2018 Eagles.

*****

After a rough week, that had to feel pretty darn good.

_


2 Comments on “There is Hope”

  1. 1 Eagles News: Eli Manning could be staying in the NFC East for “years” to come - Bleeding Green Nation | World News Network said at 9:41 AM on December 18th, 2018:

    […] There is Hope – Iggles BlitzThe Eagles have now won three out of their last four games. The only loss was at Dallas and we know that game could have been very different if the officials gave the Eagles the ball at the 16-yard line after the opening kickoff. That didn’t happen and the Eagles never could completely get their feet under them in that game. Injuries have significantly hurt this team and the Eagles aren’t going to play at the same level as last year. We can talk about Next Man Up and toughness and chemistry, but at a certain point you just don’t have enough talented players. Getting Avonte Maddox back made a real difference in the secondary. That gave the Eagles a competent CB. If the Eagles could get back Jordan Hicks, Tim Jernigan and Sidney Jones, the defense could take another step forward. […]

  2. 2 Eagles News: Eli Manning could be staying in the NFC East for “years” to come – SportsNewsNow said at 10:24 AM on December 18th, 2018:

    […] There is Hope – Iggles BlitzThe Eagles have now won three out of their last four games. The only loss was at Dallas and we know that game could have been very different if the officials gave the Eagles the ball at the 16-yard line after the opening kickoff. That didn’t happen and the Eagles never could completely get their feet under them in that game. Injuries have significantly hurt this team and the Eagles aren’t going to play at the same level as last year. We can talk about Next Man Up and toughness and chemistry, but at a certain point you just don’t have enough talented players. Getting Avonte Maddox back made a real difference in the secondary. That gave the Eagles a competent CB. If the Eagles could get back Jordan Hicks, Tim Jernigan and Sidney Jones, the defense could take another step forward. […]