State of Mind
Posted: December 26th, 2019 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 4 Comments »The Eagles biggest win of the year came last Sunday. The patchwork offense piled up 432 yards and found the end zone twice. The defense kept the high-powered Dallas attack out of the end zone and frustrated them all day long. Despite missing a pair of field goals, the Eagles were also the better team on special teams. That was a total team win and it came in a critical situation.
Great.
But that means nothing if the Eagles don’t win on Sunday in New Jersey. Not a thing.
I can’t think of a scenario quite like this one. The best I have is back in 2010 when the Eagles pulled off their most recent Miracle at the Meadowlands. DeSean Jackson’s punt return for a TD had everyone believing the 2010 Eagles were a team of destiny. All they had to do after that was beat a pair of backup QBs on losing teams and the Eagles would be the #2 seed in the NFC.
Instead, the Eagles lost on a Tuesday night game (yes, you read that right) to Joe Webb and the 5-9 Vikings. At The Linc, no less
The Eagles were flat after the dramatic comeback win over the Giants. The Eagles weren’t ready for the Vikings and it showed. That better not happen on Sunday or the Giants will win.
It occurred to me that Dallas had their best game of the year against the Rams and then lost last week. The Giants played their best game of the year last Sunday. Maybe they’ll be ready for a letdown of their own.
We have to be honest about Dallas. Injuries to Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper were real factors in that game. Prescott missed some throws he normally would make. Cooper was 4-24 and looked that bad. He couldn’t pull away from Malcolm Jenkins on a crossing route. A healthy Cooper gets open there and that might be a big play. Last Sunday that was a pass breakup.
The Giants are healthy. Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley just played their best games of the season last week. Their confidence is sky high. They can’t wait to face the Eagles defense.
The Eagles are still the better team, but they need the right mindset this week. The Eagles need to stay hungry and focused. They need to bring the edge they had last week over to this game. The defense played with a lot of energy and emotion and will need to do so again.
Doug Pederson normally does a good job of pushing the right buttons to get the most out of his team. This will be an interesting test for him. He’s got to bring the Eagles back from the emotional high of last weekend, but also keep them confident and aggressive. Then you mix in all the holiday stuff. Maybe Christmas will be enough of a distraction that the players will forget about the Dallas win and will have the right mentality.
However he does it, Pederson needs this team locked in and ready to go.
*****
WR Nelson Agholor and T Lane Johnson also listed as DNP. No indications either will be back this week, though the hope is Johnson can be back for the playoffs, should the #Eagles get there.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 25, 2019
One of the unsung heroes from last week is Big V. He played well at RT. Looks like he’ll get another start there. He’s shown that he can get the job done in big games.
One of the things that has really helped the Eagles recently is embracing the players who are healthy and not worrying about those who aren’t. Don’t think of Big V as Johnson’s backup. Think of him as your RT. Greg Ward isn’t Nelson Agholor’s replacement, Ward is the slot receiver.
Coaches and teammates have done a good job of this and it has helped the young guys play good football.
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[…] State of Mind – Iggles BlitzOne of the unsung heroes from last week is Big V. He played well at RT. Looks like he’ll get another start there. He’s shown that he can get the job done in big games. One of the things that has really helped the Eagles recently is embracing the players who are healthy and not worrying about those who aren’t. Don’t think of Big V as Johnson’s backup. Think of him as your RT. Greg Ward isn’t Nelson Agholor’s replacement, Ward is the slot receiver. Coaches and teammates have done a good job of this and it has helped the young guys play good football. […]
[…] Utter of Thoughts – Iggles BlitzRegarded as one of the most unsung heroes from closing week is Gargantuan V. He played effectively at RT. Appears be pleased he’ll accumulate one other commence there. He’s shown that he can accumulate the job achieved in mountainous games. Regarded as one of the most things that has in fact helped the Eagles currently is embracing the players who are healthy and no longer being concerned about of us that aren’t. Don’t imagine Gargantuan V as Johnson’s backup. Judge of him as your RT. Greg Ward isn’t Nelson Agholor’s replacement, Ward is the slot receiver. Coaches and teammates delight in achieved a upright job of this and it has helped the young guys play upright soccer. […]
[…] State of Mind – Iggles BlitzOne of the unsung heroes from last week is Big V. He played well at RT. Looks like he’ll get another start there. He’s shown that he can get the job done in big games. One of the things that has really helped the Eagles recently is embracing the players who are healthy and not worrying about those who aren’t. Don’t think of Big V as Johnson’s backup. Think of him as your RT. Greg Ward isn’t Nelson Agholor’s replacement, Ward is the slot receiver. Coaches and teammates have done a good job of this and it has helped the young guys play good football. […]
[…] State of Mind – Iggles BlitzOne of the unsung heroes from last week is Big V. He played well at RT. Looks like he’ll get another start there. He’s shown that he can get the job done in big games. One of the things that has really helped the Eagles recently is embracing the players who are healthy and not worrying about those who aren’t. Don’t think of Big V as Johnson’s backup. Think of him as your RT. Greg Ward isn’t Nelson Agholor’s replacement, Ward is the slot receiver. Coaches and teammates have done a good job of this and it has helped the young guys play good football. […]