“I feel great.” These words were said by Andy Reid Sunday night after his Eagles (3-4) team crushed the hated division rival Dallas Cowboys (3-4) 34-7 at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia. During Reid’s press
conference, he was asked how he felt now that the Eagles have won two games in a row for the first time this season. His response was sly as always, but there was something different about Andy. He almost seemed relieved. I’m sure he’s relieved his team is still alive and in second place in the NFC East, one of the most mediocre divisions in the National Football League. But is he also relieved because he realized after this game that he still has “it”? That he can come up with a great game plan and as long as the game progresses in the way he wants to, he doesn’t have to do any game-day critical coaching that has been his ultimate downfall in his head coaching career.
Did Andy Reid save his job with his brilliant coaching plan last night? That’s hard to say. It’s only Week 8 in the NFL, with eight more weeks to play. But Andy was visibly more upbeat in his press conference, possibly exhaling a huge breath for this big win. Andy is usually more upbeat during press conferences after a win, which is
understandable. The four weeks before the win against the Redskins back on October 16, Reid was almost more penurious than usual in his answers.
Here are some stats for you. Reid continued his bye week brilliance, as he is now 13-0 as the Eagles head coach in games after the bye week. The Eagles rushed LeSean McCoy 30 times for 185 yards and totaled 239 yards rushing for the game. Coming into the game, the Eagles led the NFL in rushing and the Cowboys defense ranked #1
against the rush. We know who won that battle. Reid’s record against the Eagles all-time as a head coach is now 16-9.
It’s interesting knowing that Reid’s game plan included running the football as much as he did. We all know that in the past 13 years Reid has been pass first, pass second, pass third, run maybe fourth. Logic dictates that the track record of Andy Reid coupled with the Cowboys #1 ranked run defense would lend the game in Mike Vick’s hands
by throwing the football. With the bye week, it’s obvious the Eagles coaching staff spent their time wisely, dissecting that impressive Cowboy defense with not passing to their ordinary secondary, but going
right at them with the run game.
Reid proved us wrong this night. He proved everyone wrong. He now realizes he has one of the most premiere running backs in the NFL. LeSean McCoy is not only being compared to Eagle-great Brian Westbrook, who probably will be surpassed by McCoy as the best Eaglesrunning back in franchise history, but he’s also being compared to
Barry Sanders. Sanders is widely thought of as the best running back in NFL history, and probably would have the numbers second to none if he didn’t decided to retire earlier than most NFL players. Reid rode McCoy into this game, through this game, and finishing the game. Does McCoy possess characteristics that Westbrook didn’t? It may be too early to tell, but I think Andy Reid showed us that he’s no longer afraid to run the ball.
And with that pops up another question. The Eagles were in control of the entire game, so running the football was a mere formality as Michael Vick did not need to lead his team to a comeback. Would Reid have run the ball as much with McCoy if the Cowboys got a lead early in the game? The answer before this season was an automatic no. But now, with McCoy shining brightly in this offense under Reid, the answer isn’t so automatic anymore. This team has more offensive talent than Reid has ever assembled, and he’s beginning to realize that. Instead of only trusting his quarterback during the game, h now trusts his running back. He trusts his offensive line. He trusts
his receivers and his tight end. This offense isn’t always firing onall cylinders, but with LeSean McCoy behind Michael Vick, this isprobably the best offense in the NFL going into Week 9.
LeSean McCoy wasn’t the only Eagle who had a big game. Brent Celek had his best game in probably the last two seasons combined, catching seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Jason Avant had five receptions for 74 yards without a touchdown, but it was one of Avant’s better games of the season. All in all, it was a team effort that had great offense, great defense, pretty good special teams, and a raucous Lincoln Financial Field crowd that never was quiet.
There is no doubt that the Eagles players trust Reid and his coaching staff. When things are going well, they praise them for their playcalling. When things aren’t going well, they criticize themselves for not getting the job done instead of criticizing the coaches. That’s the main reason I think Andy Reid won’t get fired any time soon, regardless if the Eagles make the playoffs this year or not. Once the coach loses the players, there is no regaining the locker
room, and Reid’s time will come to an end.
Will the fans trust Reid to have a game plan as good as the one against the Cowboys again this season? Probably not. This was not a typically-planned Eagles/Cowboys game. LeSean McCoy may not rush 30 times again this season. The Eagles may not win two challenges again at ALL this season (yeah, it’s still amazing that Reid won both
challenges, albeit easy challenges). But after this game, I have some hope in Andy Reid. I have hope that he will utilize LeSean McCoy in the rushing game more. The change in Michael Vick’s three-step drop has allowed for less turnover in the last two games. The offense hasn’t looked inept like it did against the Giants, Bills, or 49ers.
Will all of you put your faith back in Andy Reid?
It’ll be a matter of time before we find out if this Eagles team was masquerading on Halloween as an NFL playoff team, or if they’re finally starting to gel and become the dominant force that most people thought they would be.
Man this is a quiet site… When the birds win noone barely says anything but if they lose its as if the world has come to an end,,, most of you so-called eagles fans need to take this as a lesson, Never give up on your team when times are tough. Never pick against them. Never be overly critically of them to the point that you sound idiotic and ridiculous. Yes andy does bone head things yes they have to improve but goodness give it a break. Do you always have to search out the negatives and stay on it all week long? Its pointless bc then they have a huge game like this and win in blowout fashion and your caught with your pants down.. remain loyal to your team thru everything, yes call them out but man give the stupidity a rest already…
John, it was one game. It doesn’t change the fact that Reid still needs to go. They are still 3-4. It’s not like they are undefeated. BTW, just because the fact that they won a few games, doesn’t change the hole that they dug for themselves, with the stupidity, decisions & mistakes of early on. Don’t start with the so-called fan crap. I love them & the win last night, but take it easy, with the puffed out chest. There is quite a bit to go here. Let’s see if they can keep it consistent here.
BTW, that was the first complete game they played this year. Good for them. Keep it going Birds.
I want to believe that Andy Reid has finally seen the light and value of a running game….He even gave up the bombs away mentality and “took what the defense gave him” I must admit I was shocked. As shocked as the Cowboys coaching staff.
It was a pleasure to see the team focused. Not dropping passes and not committing a ton of stupid penaltys.
Peters is now playing at a all-pro level and looks dominant. The old guy on the cruches gets a ton of credit for making him better and getting our 1st round draft pick playing.
Andy is undefeated after the bye so this was expected. Beat Chicago and stop that running back they have. He kicks the Eagles rear every time we play them. Just like Emmit Smith use to do. Give up 8.5 yards a carry to Chicago or any other playoff team that has the patience to stick to the running game and it will be one and out again.
Like the monday night Washington game last year, it’s easy to overlook the team flaws when you kick the crap out of a team. But the Saints lost this week after pummeling the Colts the week before.
One kiss does not make up for all the times you cheated.
If this defensive line is so good, hit a running back in the backfield a couple times like that beast in detroit does.
For 13 years I have drunk the Andy Reid kool-aid. And he pulls a Jim Jones (james warren jones) on me every time. This time I’ll let everybody else take a sip and see what happens.
Great game by the Eagles and excellent execution.. When you watch other teams around the NFL, this Eagles O/Line, believe it or not, is probably one of the tops in the NFL, If you don’t believe me, watch some of the other games and it appears they are fiannly healthy,starting to gel with each other and remameber this current unit (Peters,Mathis,Kelce,WAtkins & Herremans) have only played like 2 games together… give them another few weeks and they can be dominant and they manhandled the Cowboys vaunted front 7 all game long from the get go… DId Jay Ratliff even make a play ???… Anthony Spencer ????. Sean Lee before he was injured…. If Eagles O/Line plays like this, this Offense will be impossible to stop.. Vick was sittin g back throwing darts to open receivers in the middle of the field all night long like it was 7 on 7 Drills… The only complaint I have (and it’s a minor one) was the play calling once again down in the red zone where they ended up settlin gfor FG’s.. 2-3 plays of a outside screen pass to D-Jax, a Wheel route to FB Schmitt… I would rather see them spread out the field with 3-4 WR’s and throw the ball into the End-Zone .. or in this game, look for th eTE/RB in the middle of the field since the Cowboys weren’t stopping that all game long.. but all in all, was a dominating performance by the Eagles and the Cowboys definitely didn’t look like they have the energy or passion to play versus the amped up Eagles which was surprising to see but that’s their problem and now the Eagles continue to march on and take on the rested Bears next Monday night and again the O/Line and D/Line will be the deciding factor in who wins and the Eagles should match up well along the line of scrimage and have too many skill players and speed for the Bears to contend.. ..
PLEASE don’t get ahead of yourselves. They are 3-4. After 13 yrs, if Father Andrew does not win the SB, it is a failed season.