The Eagles have given away a couple of games and are boasting only a 3-4 record, but they have done some things well. Here's a quick look at some stats which might surprise you.
Run Defense … Vikings rookie RB Adrian Peterson was held to just 70 yards on 20 yards (3.5 yards per carry). In fact, 14 of Peterson’s rushing attempts went for two yards or less. Overall, the Eagles rank 8th in the NFL in run defense, allowing just 90.4 yards per game and 3.7 yards per rushing attempt.
Cole Becoming A Force… Eagles DE Trent Cole notched two sacks and three tackles for a loss in the run game vs. the Vikings yesterday. He now leads the NFL with a career-high 9 sacks, most by an Eagle since Hugh Douglas recorded 12.5 in 2002. Cole now has 8 multi-sack outings in 38 career games.
Pass Rush… The Eagles 24 sacks rank 3rd in the NFL behind the NY Giants (28) and Chicago (25). Among defensive lineman, the Eagles have recorded 21 sacks which ties them for the league lead with the Giants.
J.J.'s 17 or less … The Eagles limited their opponents to 17 points or less for the 75th time under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson (135 regular season games). The Eagles are 61-14 in those games … This year they have allowed just eight touchdowns in 77 possessions, tying them with Pittsburgh for the fewest in the NFL. Philadelphia has been especially stingy in the red zone, allowing only 7 TDs in 24 possessions (29.2%), ranking them 2nd in the NFL behind Kansas City (26.7%) … Yesterday, the Eagles allowed two third down conversions on the Vikings first possession and one thereafter (a two-yard run by Chester Taylor on 3rd and 1).
Big Day For Five … With 333 yards and 1 TD on 23-36 passing (103.1 QB rating), Donovan McNabb improved his record to 33-2 when he has a QB rating over 100. It was his 21st career 300-yard performance, and the 51st game in which he did not throw an interception … Among QBs with at least 200 passing attempts in 2007, McNabb currently ranks second in the NFL with a 0.8 INT percentage (2 INTs in 241 atts.). Only Patriots QB Tom Brady has a better INT % (0.7). McNabb has completed 145 out of 241 passes for a 60.2 completion rate, which ranks third all-time among Eagles quarterbacks in a single season.
BWest – Mr. Versatility … According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Brian Westbrook became the fourth-fastest player in NFL history to record 20 rushing touchdowns and 20 receiving touchdowns. Westbrook accomplished the feat in his 76th game, trailing Lenny Moore (46 games), Chuck Foreman (55), Timmy Brown (65) and tying John David Crow (76) … Westbrook currently ranks 3rd in the NFL with 881 total yards from scrimmage, including a league-best 146.8 yards per game. He also ranks 3rd in the NFL in yards per touch average (6.1) among players with 100 or more touches.
Curtis Making Big Plays … Among players with 25-or-more catches, WR Kevin Curtis leads the NFL with 18.2 yards per catch … He is tied for 8th in the NFL with 6 receptions of 25 yards or more this season. The Colts Reggie Wayne leads the league with 8. Curtis also ranks 8th in the NFL with 83.1 yards receiving per game. Cincinnati’s Chad Johnson leads the league with a 104.4 yd. average.
Rocca Comes Through … Australian rookie P Sav Rocca launched two consecutive punts in the fourth quarter for 64 and 65 yards, respectively. His 65 yarder was a career long and pinned the Vikings back at their own 9-yard line with 15 seconds left on the game clock. Rocca finished the day with a 52.8 gross average, which tied former Eagles punter Jeff Feagles (10/5/92 vs. Dallas) for the highest single-game average in Eagles history.
Andy Reid Era, the Eagles now have a 4-0 record against the Vikings and a 16-3 overall record vs. the NFC North
Good Day For Brown…..Reggie Brown posted a career-high 8 receptions for 105 yards. It was Brown’s third 100-yard receiving game of his career and his first since October 15, 2006, at New Orleans when he caught 6 passes for 121 yards and a TD … Despite playing with a severely injured tailbone, Eagles T Jon Runyan extended his consecutive games played streak to 185 (including playoffs).
