The Eagles’ offense still doesn’t look right.
Nick Foles once again was very shaky throughout the game. Foles continues to make very poor decisions with the football, making throws he shouldn’t attempt, throwing off of his back foot, and putting a lot of balls up for grabs. Its getting to the point now where Foles has been much more of Brett Favre-esque gunslinger (which is NOT a compliment) than a guy who makes good decisions to run this offense efficiently. He got away with a couple of floated passes in the first half alone that could easily have been picked.
Foles also turned the ball over carelessly late in the second half with a fumble. Foles was on a run, and slid head first instead of feet first, and lost the ball in the process. The turnover helped spark the Rams’ rally, and nearly cost the Eagles the game.
The offense had two great red zone opportunities early in the game, but stalled out on both attempts. The Eagles’ playcalling in these scenarios has just been bizarre. Where are the plays that take advantage of the talents of guys like Ertz and Celek? The Eagles have enough talent at the tight end position to really thrive in these scenarios, but instead the Eagles continue to go with long developing, complicated pass routes that just haven’t been working.
The offense also struggled to close out the game. They couldn’t pick up key first downs on the final two drives, and gave the Rams every opportunity to complete their comeback.
Without the big plays from the second and third phases of the game, this would not have been an easy victory. Chip Kelly has a lot of work to do to fix the problems that have plagued this group for five games now.
2nd And 3rd Phases Contribute Again
Once again, the defense and special teams came up with a significant amount of the Eagles’ points.
Special teams began the day by blocking a punt and recovering it for a touchdown for the second straight week. James Casey and Trey Burton broke through to block the kick, and Chris Maragos returned it for a score.
The defense allowed 21 points, but also came up with some pretty big plays. The Eagles’ pass rush was very effective for the second straight week, and Trent Cole and Vinny Curry came up with two of the game’s biggest plays. Cole got a strip-sack on Davis in the second quarter, which was recovered by Cedric Thornton for a touchdown.
Vinny Curry also got a strip-sack on Davis, which was recovered by Fletcher Cox.
Brandon Graham forced a fumble in the second half, which was recovered and returned into Rams’ territory by Thornton.
Quick Thoughts
Offense
- LeSean McCoy had his best statistical game in several weeks, picking up 81 yards on 24 carries. McCoy finally was able to rip off a couple of longer runs, including a 19-yarder in the second half.
- However, there was a horrendous play by McCoy in the second quarter. McCoy caught a screen pass, and had nowhere to go. McCoy tried his hardest to turn it into a positive gain, but ultimately ran 10 yards backwards, and carelessly fumbled the ball away.
- Riley Cooper made his first great play of the season, winning a jump ball in the endzone at the end of the first half to give the Eagles a critical touchdown.
- Another solid game from Jeremy Maclin, who registered five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.
- Darren Sproles picked up 51 rushing yards on seven carries, including a big 25-yard in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles a first down on a third and three. When the Eagles went to try and close the game out, they leaned on the services of Sproles rather than McCoy.
- Josh Huff was active for the first time this season. With Huff up, the Eagles kept Brad Smith active and deactivated Jeff Maehl.
- With the return of Lane Johnson, Dennis Kelly became a healthy scratch on the offensive line, showing that the team has him behind both Andrew Gardner and Wade Smith on the depth chart.
- Brent Celek made his first catch since Week 1 in the first quarter, catching a pass in the flat for nine yards.
Defense
- Casey Matthews actually made a solid tackle in the first quarter, getting around a block and bringing down Zac Stacy for no gain. On the next play, Matthews came on a blitz and forced Austin Davis into a rushed throw that was incomplete and set up a third and 10. Matthews played easily his best game as an Eagle. Which isn’t saying much at all.
- Connor Barwin came up with two sacks this afternoon, the second straight game he’s gotten to the quarterback. Barwin also batted down a pass on the Rams’ red zone possession in the second quarter.
- Nice play by Bradley Fletcher to break up a pass to Brian Quick. Quick had a reception, but Fletcher was able to knock it out of his hands.
- Vinny Curry and Fletcher Cox came up with a game-changing turnover in the second quarter. With the Rams threatening to go in for a score, Curry sacked Davis and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Cox.
- Beau Allen got a good hit on Davis the second to force an incomplete pass.
- Trent Cole came through with sack forced fumble and that turned into a touchdown recovery by Cedric Thornton.
- DeMeco Ryans led the team with eight tackles.
Special Teams
- Cody Parkey went 2-2 on his field goal attempts.
- Donnie Jones was able to pin the Rams deep in their own territory during their final drive.
Final Thoughts
This has to be the ugliest 4-1 team that I’ve ever seen.
This is the first performance this year that’s really left me some serious concern moving forward. Its becoming more and more apparent how this team struggles with consistency.
Nick Foles through five games has seemingly forgotten how to protect the football, and is making too many careless decisions while turning it over at an alarming rate.
The defense made some big plays today, but still allowed the untested Austin Davis to will his team back into the game, and if the Rams receivers don’t make a couple of key drops on the final drive, we could be looking at an entirely different final outcome.
Right now, the Eagles are living off of big plays from their special teams and defense. The vaunted offensive attack has been mediocre with occasional positive flashes.
The New York Giants are coming to town next Sunday, and they’re playing a very good quality of football. A lot has to change for the Eagles to go into their bye at 5-1.
Observations beyond yours Denny..I felt the regression of foles ,might be attributed to the offensive lines decimated state ,today that was confirmed ,not ,to be the ultimate factor..that’s a huge factor to reconsider .hetherew at times off his back foot ,floating some and missing others (again) ..this ones with again a difficult first half of estate listing and working off the run ..the rams we’re 30th ranked coming in vs the rush ,so,late positives still aren’t enough ..I agree the lack of utilization of the tight ends once again is puzzling..some positives (not many) on offense was the firs set half ruth yum setting dinks and dunks down the field..smart to establish a rhythm…foles wasn’t rushed ,wasn’t excessively hit and still he struggled …at the bye week ,he’s setting up the ultimate questions within an organization that seemingly were minimized coming into this season .
When are we going to face facts… Foles is not a franchise QB. And Chip did not do Foles any favors by getting rid of his best weapon. the field looks different to Foles this year without DJax opening the field up and it has impacted the running game as well! Thank God we have played some really poor teams to begin this year to barely eke out some wins…it gets tougher from here.Other teams are tougher than expected…Cam Newton saved Carolina’s season…next up the NY Giants…we better pick it up!
The last five games of the year are gonna be fun.
It’s gonna come down to the wire!
No disagreements ..Kool..and that’s a mouthful.the fact I’m in agreement with you..however,last year ,did happen …nick foles ,was off the charts ,that’s not opinion,that’s a fact jack..this year I started the season ,with concern,that a newly married man,was playing for his dream contract..on top of that he lost vital pieces on the offensive line..that can’t embolden ,anyone..today he had poor judgement,poor execution ,but a nice early rhythm,…sliding after a first down like a white dude …well…white men can’t jump..well they can’t slide either…I’m letting 4-1 put a bunch of lipstick on this pig..but if you want to be 4-1 eventually your offense without special teams and defensive scores has to enable themselves to pick up the mantle.this is too many weeks of ugly wins with more questions than answers..
A qb that’s 4-1 and was like 7-3 last year… Man that is a lot of wins… A shitload
Jets are idiots.
They just gotta let Geno play. You give him a full 2 years – if at the end it doesn’t work it doesn’t work.
These benching of young QBs isn’t smart.
Should Foles get a full two years? 32 games? I agree with you 100%
When you draft a guy high…and generally I leave this to first round picks but Geno was the first pick in the second – give them 2 years to see what they have.
Projects? Not so much. However Foles would be what a few games shy of 32 by the end of this year? He’s more than had his chance for a 3rd (or 4th) round pick.
And won a shitload of games
WTH are u talking about 32. games and if he is still bad then get rid if him TS if hes bad hes bad 10 or 32nd start geno sucks real bad
Foles gets this year…but based on how he is playing he is not getting any big money contract with us!
So young QBs must get 2 years of starts…and it is expected that they play badly during those first 32 starts.
That’s what you are saying?
Geno Smith is showing nothing.
Stop it he’s a wasted pick.
Vick will put up good numbers on the prevent D?.. Vick fans will go nuts
Is 1 for 6 with a sack “good numbers?” 🙂
The schedule will provide a great NFC east battle with Washington and me Sean…somewhere in the abyss?Philly ,with returning pieces after game 11 will be fortified for a great close into the playoffs..I’m not at all bubbly like 4-1 used to feel..we’ve had scores from defense ,and special teams,and a defense that’s on the field longer than morning dew…
Well, as long as you are consistent TS.
To review, today you have said:
EJ Manuel and Geno Smith should get a full 32 games before evaluating them. They are expected to have bad games, and teams must let them work through those troubles.
But Foles, with his 21 starts, “he’s more than had his chance”
Got it.
Oh ya, and you are allowed to make fun of Kyle Orton when he’s playing badly but not Cam Newton.
Got it.
I think. Having different sets of ‘rules/considerations” for different players can sometimes be difficult to follow.
So the part about I limit that for first round draft picks and only included Geno b/c he was drafted 1st int he second did you miss?
Foles was a project Qb – if ti works YAY!!! if not – then u realize why they were drafted where they were drafted.
There’s no money invested in Foles – he wasn’t drafted to be the face of the franchise. He had a good year. If can produce this year YAY!!! if not – get rid of him and start again.
Ts what is his record as a starter?
That doesn’t matter Cigar. All he’s ever played are bad teams, so the record is irrelevant.
“But Foles, with his 21 starts, “he’s more than had his chance”
Notice I said after this year was done.
“Oh ya, and you are allowed to make fun of Kyle Orton when he’s playing badly but not Cam Newton.”
Right. That’s what happened. Or was it b/c you ambushed me on the site about Cam Newton for no reason. Not a random comment but a “Hey you see what Newton did…”
‘Cause that’s the same thing. RIIIIIGHHHHTTTT!!!!
Ambushed!
You really do have a victim complex rolling don’t you?
This same exact team as constructed would be averaging over 40 points a game if the Eagles had a serious threat at QB.
The defense is causing turnovers for TD’s and the special teams are great giving the team almost 7 points per game.
The quarterback is the problem here…..
I’m putting it out there right now.
Giants 34
Eagles 13
Giants defense exposes Nick Fold.
You watching how your favourite “serious threat” QB is doing putz?
First Songs post than Koolbreeze….
Lmao
Koolbreeze was posting earlier.
Izzell Jenkins aka-Toasty the Clown…your posts count as nothing anyway…your a joke!
Says the clown ass negro that posts nonsense and shows he’s teeth all the damn time.
Second dumbest bastard to Songs…
Oh wait you post from the same address lmao.
You’re Kool not your
I think your observation is wrong Song. I honestly think this is all predicated on the offensive line. If the Eagles are able to run the ball, the offense would be more effective. This year, just like last year, is predicated around the run. If the Eagles can’t run the offense will go nowhere. The Eagles under Chip Kelly is a run first team. If the Eagles are able to consistently run the ball, it will open up the pass, more specifically the play-action pass.
I think the offensive line is impacting both the run and pass. Once the line is back and healthy, I believe there will be a change in the consistency of the offense.
Once again, the Eagles are 4-1, not 1-4.
If we do fall, I don’t see it being that big of a disparity. I’m confused why you think the Giants are that much better than the birds. The Giants haven’t beat any competent teams this year.
All around confusing observation.
Why was Folds playing so poorly in the preseason and early in the season before Kelce went down?
I don’t think the Eagles in general played all that well during the preseason. The running game hasn’t been there at all this year. The preseason doesn’t mean much at all anyway.
The Eagles need to change their style of run. We need to run between the tackles for consistency.
Once again, the Eagles are 4-1 and two yards away from an undefeated season.
I still fail to understand what makes you think the Giants will blow the Eagles out.
Yes the Eagles have relied on their defense and special teams, but so does every other team in league history.
Thank God for the special teams! We have the best special teams in the league and they have have been huge in us being 4-1…
Yup great special teams… As a fan I’m happy bout that
Hete we again vick vs foles at the end of day we come back to this shit
In 2013-2014 Foles is 12-4 as a starter… Is that a good record in the nfl?
Folds stink!
The credit goes to Chip Kelly and the improved defense and special teams in spite of Foles shit play.
Anyone one with eys can see that this team goes no where with this quarterback at the helm.
“Folds” keep opposing teams in games.
What is his record as a starter?
How’s the qb play compared to the secondary, you dumb mother fuckers
holy shit is songs really the same as koolbreeze fucking loooozas
Songs. You are dumber than a bag of hammers
I told everyone that Romo and Eli were better Quaterbacks than weak arm, inaccurate Foles and received much push back.
Who here thinks Foles is better?
This secondary is beyond putrid
The qb stinks right now
The secondary makes foles in comparison a hall of fame player this season
Chip. Fix the secondary, bench that puss Williams
Jake why do the qb stink right now?
I don’t know songs why the qb stinks right now, maybe he’s fighting with his new bride. Who cares, he sucks right now and better figure it out
Ts your next response should start ‘his record is_____ but….’
Anybody see the report Brady’s time coming to an end in NE…..
Wow I remember why I quit posting. The same people that made offensive line excuses and said Vick had 4 ints but we won and that’s the BOTTOM LINE are ripping a 4-1 QB. You are racist hypocrites. Foles has had a bad start, but a guy with only 21 starts doesn’t get a full season with a shit offensive line and a bad running game ATM. Keep talking your trash you morons, intelligent, patient, fans are going to stop posting here with all the revisionist history bullshit. I read the stupidity almost everyday and a lot of this has nothing to do with football. Stop stop stop. You reap what you sow.
Xevious, shut up! It has everything to do with football…there are people who are pulling strong for Nick Foles who are now admitting that he is stinking out there on the field. The eye test tells you everything…we all see that you cant win the big games the sloppy way that Foles is playing. Thank goodness for special teams and the defensive line creating some turnovers and scoring points….he is terrible in the red zone, his deep pass sucks, he is making bad decisions, giving up the ball…we are 4-1 because we have played 3 extremely weak teams, and most of Foles wins have come against poor defenses.
We saw what happened when he played a really good defense last week…ZERO points from this explosive offense…its pathetic.
So stop whining…and look at the real BOTTOM LINE…we are seeing the real Nick Foles right now and he’s just not a franchise QB!
Didn’t you say Chip Kelly and the team were going to fall on their face after DJax?
Nig SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY lmao
Toasty ass! I didn’t say they were going to be 0-16 fool! You must be blind …maybe you missed that SF game where the offense only got across the 50 twice…or the weak performances against some of the worst teams in the league-the Rams and Jacksonville
You mean the nick Foles who has a real nice winning percentage? That nick Foles?
Shut up when the truth is spoken. Eye test huh? Can’t have a bad couple games if they aren’t your type of QB. Yeah you’re a football genius with all your revisionist BS and excuse making why he is successful. What happened to it’s a team game blah blah blah. Again reap what you sow, you’re a hater. Must be eating you up inside we are 4-1.
I think Nick Foles needs to take the bye week after the Eagles play the Giants and work on his deep ball. I am a Foles supporter, but he is obviously struggling on his deep ball. Stay to the dink and dunk and get the tight ends involved.
Secondly, please someone tell Chip to run the ball between the tackles. McCoy has never been that fast to beat players on the edge. His dancing in the backfield is starting to grow old. Eagles need a traditional I-formation and pound the ball. This will wear down the opposing team’s d-line and give our defense a rest.
Cary Williams does not deserve to start anymore. Looking at Williams’ disgruntled face after he gives up touchdowns is annoying. He is not very good. I like his attitude, however I don’t feel the same about his play.
Looks like the Cardinals have lost Calais Campbell to a nasty chop block.
Great team win !
the bird’s defense once again 4 and outs an NFL team to seal the victory.
a lot of Nick Foles deserters here today from his bandwagon. wow- on the trade market he gets you 2 first rounders or a top 5 overall pick and he STILL is not good enough for you people? Amazing
New England showing once again that is a week to week league. Survive and move forward.
A few thoughts……
1. The question is not…. Are we winning games… The question is… Are we firing on all cylinders… And the answer is no.
Foles is struggling right now… Is he Ballin? For sure… Tough as nails.. Playing behind a beat up oline.. But he is not hitting wide open receivers. No… We don’t need a backup.. No we don’t need a new guy… We just need him to settle down.
2. McCoy just needs to hit the holes. Stop dancing. We need yards.
3. Short crossing routes would help.. Alot.
4. I loved the game plan early… Quick hit.
5. Williams and Allen should just sit already.
One last thing…. Sky is the limit for th is team. 4-1.. 2 yards from 5-0. They will find their groove.
Stevo? How many games will it take for Foles to settle down?
Right on Stevo. 4-1 with a lot of room for improvement. Exciting times.
Right on Stevo, classy, a true Eagles fan!
Didn’t the QB’s coach leave for Miami?
Anybody think this is a factor?
No. Been reported by the end of the year they were not on good terms. Musgrave was brought in specifically for Foles.
This team is 2 yards from being 5-0, and about 5 and from being 1-4, I guess that sports science crap was good for just one year. Kendricks still not back now Ryan has a groin issue. The bye week cannot get here fast enough. Just watching the games I don’t think Foles or McCoy is healthy but neither one is missing any practice time so who the heck knows.
lion thats the nfl man…
Bengals NE showed that last night.
The winning line in the NFL is that small. Especially in a league where a team goes worst to first all the time.
They still have almost two more months to figure it out. Dec/Jan are what’s important.
Had to post this but where is all the vitriol about the QB not being able to slide and fumbling without being hit? If that was Vick, Vinnie would have posted thirty times about the QB being too dumb to slide right. LOL
yes he would have!
Foles has not been pretty this year. I knew that he wouldn’t duplicate his numbers from last year but i’m a ‘just win baby’ kind of fan! style points mean absolutely nothing!
Pathetic. I taught my 7 year to slide pretty easily. And if he had 250 lb dudes trying to tackle him, he would be smart enough to get his butt on the ground.
He and the rest of his agenda laden minions have already done so in this thread. Just substitute Geno for Vick. These clowns are talking more about other team’s qbs instead of their own. But to do so would make them face the fact that many openly wished ill will on the previous qb even when the team was winning or at least producing from an offensive standpoint.
It’s only you and tsjohnson talking about Geno Smith. Read the thread and see who brought up Geno Smith. Vinnie responded to tsjohnson, otherwise nobody gives a damm about the Jets QB woes. We have our own…
No you read the thread asshole. then come back again and tell me ‘nobody gives a damm” about the Jets qb. You and some others hardly act like it.
I care about Mike Vick, he is a jets QB.
I’m sure you do genius.
Like I said it’s only you and tsjohnson talking about Geno Smith. Nobody else seem to give a shit, Jesse…
Only in your warped reality Strom. Nice try.
Another ugly win…I’ll take it! But the same concerns still remain.
Even though it was the Rams, I was starting to get a feeling that this defense is coming around. But then the DC and the defense shows a pathetic stretch of football in the 4th. DC begin calling some soft ass coverage plays and the defense got lax.
Will acknowledge, if not for the defense and special teams, this would have been a loss. The D Line played well 3/4th of the game.
In this offense 20 points isn’t going to cut it. This offense needs to pick it up. I thought having a tall QB improves the red zone? what I’ve heard from some of you dumb asses…We’re one of the bottom teams in red zone percentage…29th in the league at 37.5%., terrible! Now you can probably see play calling has an impact.
Tall QB AND TALL Receivers… I would estimate that Foles has cost this team at least 10 touchdowns in these games with poor passes! We are terrible in the red zone and there is no excuse….Foles is just not doing a good job in that area
captain obvious…please continue telling us things we already know.
Yeah man. Looks like Andy Reid redzone out there.
The Eagles ‘won’ games last year! They dominated inferior teams like Oakland and Tampa. This year we we’re looking for improvement…signs and indications that they are gong far in the playoffs and improve on last year.
We are not seeing that…we see a signs that they are going backwards. Instead of dominating inferior teams they are struggling offensively.
The major improvement has been special teams…we have championship level special teams! We need the offensive (which is supposed to be our strength) to step up….and it’s mainly the QB who is playing for a new contract that is playing below par…he better step it up real soon!
Going to Indy and winning doesn’t count jackass?
Last year they were 1-4. This year they are 4-1. That’s not “improvement?
Too funny. 1-4 to 4-1 is not improvement. Only in Koolidiot’s world, where everything he says….the opposite is true!
Yeah…Foles is really starting to frustrate me..But my real frustration is with Cary Williams..that dude sucks!!! I feel we can get a cb anywhere that would be better than Cary..He is slow and cant cover..he only looks good when the qb is being rushed into a bad throw..also nate allen..get rid of these 2 duds!!!
Also..I feel that we need a blowout game..like we are up 37-3..so in the 4th we can put sanchez in..im not calling for him to start..but i want to see how he does with the ones..Even if it is for a series or 2…My patience is wearing thin…I dont hate foles..but i dont see him as a 100 million plus franchise qb..Just my honest opinion.
Paulman’s Eagles 2015 Mock Draft (#2)
1st Rd – OT Spencer Drango (Baylor 6-5 315lbs)
2nd Rd – CB Doran Grant (Ohio State 5-11 195lbs)
3rd Rd – Safety Cody Prewitt (Miss 6-2 212lbs)
4th Rd – OLB/DE Frank Clark (Mich State 6-2 265lbs)
5th Rd – Center Andy Gallik (Boston College 6-2 300lbs)
6th Rd – ILB Taiwan Jones (Mich State 6-3 252 lbs)
7th Rd – WR Darren Waller (Georgia Tech 6-5 232lbs)
Division game this week, can’t wait.
Hopefully Ryan’s will be healthy and can play. If we could get Kendrick’s back it would add even more. We need to have a plan to cover that big TE from Grambling. Both CB’s need to do a better job of finding the ball. Nate Allen needs to go, were is Wolfe?
On the offense obviously we need. Shady and Foles to get back to last years levels. Both are clearly having trouble. Foles looks to have poor mechanics compared to his play last year, and Shady is dancing too much and too loose with his handle of the ball. The OL will need to play better, and with another week together and Johnson back I would expect improvement. Maclin has really made a believer out of me, Matthews is getting more and more comfortable in the system. I want to see more Sproles and feel that we have abandoned the TE seam routes from last season (although I believe we are using Celek blocking).
While there have been a few areas we can question with the moves this off season, one area where we have had dramatic improvement is the special teams. We have a group of players who perform each of their jobs at a high level, and take pride in it. Great moves to get these guys and show such a commitment to getting better in Special Teams.
This team is 4-1. Yeah, they are showing that they have a number of areas that need improvement and consistency, but they are also showing a grit and determination to push past all obstacles and get a win. Ugly wins are still wins, and from past performances I will believe that this team will only get better as the year goes on. Once we get Kelce and Mathis back in November we should be in a prime position to take it to the next level. As an Eagles fan it is an exciting time.
GO BIRDS !!!!!