The Philadelphia Eagles are still in search for that first win of the 2015 season and have a tough opponent in the 2-0 New York Jets on Sunday. The Chip Kelly offense has yet to play a top level defense, yet by how the teamed has executed thus far, an outsider would think the Eagles have played some of the best the league has to offer. Well, that’s what the Eagles are in for week three, a New York Jets defense that is physical up front with a secondary that can shut down opposing wide receivers.
OFFENSE
The New York Jets have the weakest offense the Eagles have faced so far this season, and there is a chance that both wide receiver Eric Decker and running back Chris Ivory sit out on Sunday. Brandon Marshall is the one guy that needs to be accounted for; he is a big bodied receiver that rarely drops the football when it’s thrown in his direction. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a smart quarterback, a game manager who will be tough to get pressure on with a very stout offensive line in front of him, but the journeyman has his limitations. There is a chance that second round speedster Devin Smith finally makes his pro debut after a rib injury during preseason, but that’s about it from the firepower the Jets bring. They are a football team that likes to play ball control offense, grind down the clock and keep third downs into manageable situations where Fitzpatrick doesn’t have to force the throws downfield.
As for the Philadelphia Eagles, what’s the starting point to get things back on track? This is as difficult as it will get for the Eagles as far as facing a top level defense, which isn’t the best riddle to have to solve with the offense currently a complete disaster. The Eagles must find a way to get the run game going, move the chains forward and not backwards. The playmakers on offense are the three headed running back core, but the offensive line is not good enough at the moment to allow this unit to flourish. It’s not hard to understand why opposing defenses are comfortable managing the wide receivers; it’s an unproven group minus the sample size from Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz. Bradford looks shaky, and I would expect Todd Bowles to apply pressure and try to keep Bradford unsteady in the pocket.
Chip Kelly has to do more, show more as far as his play calling, it’s been boring to watch, and that maybe an understatement. Creating mismatches is going to be the key for the Eagles receiving core, size and speed, where can the Eagles attack. Chip has to find ways to win this mismatch battle or it could be another pathetic showing by Bradford and company.
DEFENSE
The Jets are forcing turnovers at a ridiculous rate, and made Pro Bowler Andrew Luck look like a rookie this past Monday night. The Jets can be attacked by running the football straight at them, but this has not been a scheme the Eagles have approached the season with. The strength and speed of the defensive line can run down the stretch plays the Eagles have failed to establish through the first two weeks this season. The screen pass to running backs could be a big time weapon for Sam Bradford to use, and establish some early success. The Jets have a respectable line backing core, but not one that will be able to keep up with the running backs the Eagles have.
With some early injuries this season, the talent on both the Eagles defensive line and linebacker core has been weakened. The safeties have played solid football, but the play of Byron Maxwell has Eagle fans wondering why this team can’t make the right call with signing the big free agent cornerback. Billy Davis needs to do something this week, unleash guys like Curry, Graham, Barwin, maybe even a few safety blitzes. Maxwell has to be better, he needs to not play so far off from the line of scrimmage and get his hands on receivers and alter their route.
PREDICTION
The Eagles have little going for them heading into week three, besides players and coaches who feel the team is underachieving. I don’t believe confidence is missing, but it’s scattered and the team needs to rally behind one another and play like a team that recognizes the difference between being 1-2 and 0-3.
The Eagles season simply can’t come to an end before September is over, even though they have underperformed, there are enough veterans and Chip is clever enough to not allow this to happen.
It’s going to be a better performance by the offense, nothing to fully make you comfortable that the high scoring, high tempo style is fully back, but it will be enough to get the job done week 3.
Eagles 23 Jets 20
I’m starting to believe ,that we as a hopeful fan-base ,are reaching for more strawers than a soda fountain attendant on a busy day..It’s incumbent for a GM to have his guys ready to hit the ground running ,he’s failed…It’s incumbent ,he picks the best coaches as possible.His one glaring shortcoming ,which he’s been able to overcome,has been the defense.Now more people would have to pass the face in the mirror and agree you,have more confidence in the defense.I never would have thought that possible ,with a Chip team.His selections of pieces. Are early on ,square pieces trying inadequately,to fit into a round hole.Every fan knew he was doing things ballsy ,this off-season.At Game 2 he’s swung and whiffed on so many fronts .Wether you score him after two games ,his inadequacy up front on the offensive line ,can’t be argued ,to have been adequately assembled.You invested the most cash in running backs ,and QB …you added 12 million at QB..This is undeniable.The question every fan wondered is why in a position of need ,didn’t we adress it for multiple drafts in your tenure,and why did the GM hurt the coach ,in letting Mathis walk ,and your number one receiver in marlin.Im not in the camp that a proven one vs a rookie who showed promise in Matthews is a higher risk.And taht for one million? You adress the hole and you refill it .You chose the latter .Now Mathews is being doubled and your next option isn’t working .So now your decision cost you a threat at one and two ,who is now your one ..The O line is embarrassing ,nobody along the line has been able to show there true value ,because as we know ,it’s an inter-dependent unit .Guys have to pick up the other guy ..Howevver not on multiple plays .You. Allowed pride and discipline n the coaches behalf. To get in the GM s ear I guess.Hes elsewhere. And as is your strange acumen,with regards to past pro bowlers ,you rarely get any compensation.Thats number ton a good GM..Jeffrey knew that you cut bait ,without compensation,and still he threw you the keys to the Maserati..Look Chip Kelly is ,a snake oil salesman ,he got th ekes to the car ,he coached Anddys guys to consecutive 10 wins seasons ,that’s the mirage.The focus now returns ,and we all know Bill Davis is in the cross hairs to stop a one weapon end team in the Jets.The spotlight will never be brighter ,in a must win road game vs Todd Bowles .My knowledge of him watching the Eagles play the Crads and his defense ,was always buoyed by my hopes,which on the road at the linc or here in AZ there defense was dominant .And that was without a possibly historic good front 7 .This is as back against the wall as it is for culture vs talent ,perhaps ever.
Chip is shouldering all that ,he put the bullseye there ,now he needs wear it ,and stop being belligerent at PC .Arrogance is a tell tale sign of admitted ignorance ,on your own behalf.If we look under the hood the removal of pieces is a common occurrence with changes the new coach makes.But what he doesn’t do is thro out the delicacies and leave spam …
Points will be awful difficult to come by in this “Punt Fest” in which the Eagles must find a way to Win.. Special Teams needs a big play or two, perhaps an on-side kick to get this Offense would be a ballsy move to start the game (or very early on)
Even though the Jets are an AFC Team, this Game will have a feel and play of a NFC East Game as both Coaching Staffs are very familiar with each other
Chip Kelly vs Todd Bowles and Billy Davis vs Chan Gailey who loves lots of formations, players in motion and likes to spread Defenses out though he doesn’t have the outside Talent to do so presently with the Jets who are banged up on Offense with Decker,Ivory & Owusu all expected out which likely means QB Fitzpatrick will have to step up and make some plays which could play in the Eagles favor if they can get points and make the Jets more 1 dimensional
Todd Bowles has faced Chip Kelly the last 2 Seasons as DC with Arizona so he knows the Eagles schemes very well so Chip Kelly will have to do some some different formations and plays if he expects to have any success. It’s very difficult to “out-execute” when the other Team knows your scheme well
Special Teams & the Eagles Defense will need to generate points for the Eagles to Win.. I expect a very low scoring game with a Score in the Teens for both Teams.. 17-16, 16-13 Type of Game..
All that matters is that the Eagles get the W, somehow & someway…
The Kicking Games will be huge as well .. No margin for missed points
Jets offense is awful.
All Sam and crew has to do is get a a couple of good series in and they can win this game.
Fingers crossed.
Now way the eagles put up 23 points unless the defense or special teams puts them up, or if Sanchez plays, which I believe will happen today, the Bradford Era comes to a hiatus or a close
Under 4 hours until kickoff…..and I’m not nervous, not excited…rather neutral as I know what’s on the line today…
It’s a weird game ..The importance and magnitude are at a very high level ,but nobody can say definitively the response by this team is a given to respond confidently.Todd Bowles vs Bill Davis ..Ryan Fitzpatrick with few weapons vs Sam Bradford with few weapons.Two stout front sevens .One dominant back end vs a more vulnerable one.Special teams is vital ,and sproles is the X factor ,in a decidedly Eagles win ,and on to Washington.
DeMarco Murray is out with hamstring injury. Will miss that .5 yards per carry today.
Sports drink vaporizes
Josh Huff is out too..he will not be able to say he heard the Jets calling out the Eagles plays. Josh Huff.(sigh)
Josh Huff & MS2 are not NFLPlayers and should be released immediately and would be real surprised if any other of the 31 NFL Teamwould pursue either one… That 2014 Draft Class is looking poor outside of Jordan Matthews
Notes..
1st & Goal from the 9 Yard Line .. 2 incompletions by Bradford and a loss of 3 Yards on a Sproles Run.. Eagles settle for 3 Points to take 3-0 Lead
Red-Zone Effificiency continues to be a struggle but at least a better start than the Eagles first 2 Games and some points..
Notes
Nice Stop by Eagles Defense after a mistake by Kicker Parkey booted the kickoff out of bounds, giving a very limited Jets Offense a short field..
Now be careful with the ball on Offense deep in their own end..
Peters is cooked
Agholor has to catch that ball!!!
Nothing wrong with a Punt right there after starting at their own 2 Yard line .
A Delay of Game by Bradford in a high tempo offense?
All you guys that criticized the Hicks pick… You were wrong. The kid can play
Notes
Eagles Defense playing well starting out and forces another Punt
Jets are winning the field position battle due to Parkeys mis-kick
Eagles need a little drive here to at least change the field position…
A 2 Score lead in this game would be big in this game..
Malcolm Jenkins and Rookie LB Jordan Hicks both with 3 Tackles each to lead the Eagles so far…
And you said it was a bad draft pick
I would still have taken Guard/OL with that 3rd Round Pick over Hicks
Najee Goode and Brad Jones are more than capable as backups
The OL was more of a priority than a backup LB
Yeah..Great WR corp we have…no speration,,no playmakers
Even Fitzpatrick went down field..Bradford should try to go down field
DARRON SPROLES!!!!
I call bullshit… Jets WR are very average yet they take a shot… Check down C doesn’t have it…. Not yet anyway. I’m pretty sure I saw Aguilar get behind Revis, no throw… He doesn’t even look
I call bullshit, the wr corp as a whole is not that good…no one is even getting downfield, the jets are giving them underneath routes..that they drop…like Agholor did in the 1st qrt.
So you would have taken a reach …stupid of course.
Hicks is contributing week two…
All the Top Guards go in Round #3 ? Where’s the Reach?
It’s nice to see Hicks contribute early on but it’s only because of Injury to both Alonso/Kendricks that he’s even active..
Notes
Another Stop and Hold by the Defense forcing another Punt resulting in a big Special Teams Play and TD Return by D Sproles …10-0 Score..
Now get a good Kickoff and keep the Pressure on Fitzpatrick
Notes
Another Stop by Eagles Defense
Field position has switched a bit a nice Drive here make the Jets and Fitzpatrick more 1-Dimensional .. Strong Game Plans on both sides of the ball so far..
Notes
Another lost opportunity by Eagles Offense to help their cause and Defense out by putting a Drive together a short 3 & out puts Eagles Defense right back onto the field with 10 minutes to play until halftime..
Notes
Drive of the Season right there with nice contributions from Sproles, Matthews & J Matthews & Bradford and the OL put the Eagles up 17-0 as the Eagles should be able to go on for their First W of the Season
He can’t throw!
Notes
Defense all over Brandon Marshall today who Fumbles with Jenkins/Maxwell on the hit and JordanHicks on the spot for the Fumble Recovery…
Eagles Can Score here vs the tired, dejected Jets Defense and put the Game away
Notes..
Eagles OL and RB Tandem of Matthews & Sproleshasworked well
Matthews 10 Carries for 67 Yards ,2 Ceptions for 20 Yards & 1 TD
Sproles 9 Carries for 20 Yards and 2 Receptions for 9 Yards and 2 TD including a 89 Punt Return
Bradford is 10 out of 20 for 98 Yards & 1 TD..
OL is going to come together. I really think so, Johnson is a top tier tackle there is absolutely no doubt
Eagles RG Andrew Gardner injured onSproles TD Run
Not sure if serious , but could see Dennis Kelly or Matt Tobin come in to replace him
Billy Davis go prevent some more lol
Let’s go Defense, keep the out of end zone and attempt a FG
Eagles get the Ball to start the 2nd Half..
Billy Davis go 3 man rush you fucking idiot. Why wouldn’t you play the same way you played all day. Unbelievable.
The Jets cant move the ball all game then at the end of the half you switch your defense? Billy Davis is a joke. I don’t care how they played the 1st 29 minutes if I was Chip Kelly I go right to Davis and say are you fucking kidding me? Theres not a excuse in the world you can tell me that is acceptable.
Eagles have not thrown a deep ball in 11 games, 8 with butt fumble and 3 with CC..wtf
HAC, if you are correct, then it’s by design, has to be the play calling.
Butt has thrown it deep more butt… Damn sproles
Vick in for Big Ben. A great game by Sam..songs wet dream
Nice pbu by Rowe
Please stop throwing to Miles Austin, it’s a waste of a down.
This game will be the tale of two halves and will end close…that’s pretty much the way of the NFL. Our qb can’t make a play down field.
Eric Rowe with a nice pick..I did not like the pick, but, he is showing me something today….happy to be wrong..hope he can continue this type of play and progress.
Remember last week you guys talked about Rowe being a bust
As much as Im down on Bradford he should have 300 yards and 3 tds with not a pass being thrown over 10 yards
Eagles D playing a solid game.
The team is very lucky Jets have no offense.
How come when a team does well against the D you say they stink and bD stinks and when a team gets stilled you say they are lucky? Interesting
What are you talking about?
The Eagles D is playing well. No one is arguing that.
However, the JETS offensively aren’t good. They haven’t been good in any of their games. AND I said BEFORE this game that that was going to be the Eagles saving grace. Put together a few good drives and could win this because of that.
But if the Jets had a mediocre offense then this game is a lot more interesting.
You did argue it you said they were luvky
I think it’s a little of both – the Eagles ‘D’ is playing well and the Jet ‘O’ is not great…
That’s the EJ Biggers I know. Defense allowed waaay to long a drive and score…not good!
I see Foles is having another stellar game vs that vaunted Steelers defense.lol He sucks to
Told ya gonna be close. Nice drive by jets, got a break or two but that’s football. J
Matthews is better than Murray.
Turnover fuck
Let’s go defense..get the damn ball back
Eagles have player in Hicks!!!