Eagles in great spot after comeback win

Comeback wins are becoming common for the Philadelphia Eagles.

After going 1-8-1 in its last 10 games decided by seven points or less, the Eagles have come back to win their last two games, both by less than a touchdown.

With two huge wins in their last two games, the Eagles find themselves in a great spot heading down the stretch.

After two straight weeks of "must win" games the Eagles now travel to Atlanta with a chance to all but stamp a ticket to the playoffs. A win for the Birds would put them at 8-4 and Atlanta, also alive for a playoff spot, at 6-6.

With the Giants struggling, the Eagles are currently tied with the Packers for the wild card teams.

The NFC East division title is not out of reach as the Eagles trail the Cowboys by just one game.

Although not a cakewalk, all of the Eagles remaining games are winnable - Falcons, Giants, 49ers, Broncos, and Cowboys. Overall, these teams are a combined 32-23.

Dallas has a much tougher schedule - Giants, Chargers, Saints, Redskins, and Eagles. Overall, these teams are a combined 34-20.

The records of the remaining teams can be a little deceiving. Three of the five teams the Eagles have left are hovering right around .500. The Cowboys face two first place teams in the Chargers and undefeated Saints.

Like last year, it is very possible the season could come down to the last game, although with different stakes.

The Eagles thumped Dallas in a winner go on, loser go home finale last year.

This season, it is likely both teams will make the playoffs. The question then becomes, who will win the division and open the playoffs at home.

My prediction is that the Eagles go 3-1 in their next four games while Dallas goes 2-2. This would pit the final game for the division title.

The Eagles have a bunch of shortcomings - stopping teams on third down, scoring TD's in the redzone, dumb penalties. However, they still find themselves in a good spot. A typical hot December will have them flying into the playoffs where anything can happen - even against tough teams like Minnesota and New Orleans.

Blogging the Eagles game: second half

Link to first half: http://phillyfannation.blogspot.com/2009/11/blogging-eagles-game-first-half.html

Quarter 3:
•Eagles get the ball to start the second half, up 16-14.
•On his way into the locker room at half time Andy Reid told Tony Siragusa he needed to address the penalties they are getting. Ya think? This is something that has been a problem ALL YEAR!
•Almost intercepted by Mikell. That would have been a heck of an interception.
•Yet another 3rd down conversion, this one for 29 yards. Tackle him!!
•Oh no….oh no….oh no….it’s 3rd and long. The Eagles are doomed. What a surprise. Campbell escapes a sack and completes a pass for 35 yards. Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.
•3rd and goal from the Eagles 10-yard line. And a touchdown by Washington. The Eagles are absolutely terrible on third downs. The Skins converted on three third downs on the drive and are 7-11 in the game (5-8 in 3rd and 7 or longer). 21-16 Redskins.
•Uh oh, Jackson staying down after being crunched short of the 1st down on a 3rd down pass.
•Not much to smile about except for the fact that I tried to convince my wife the sliding door was not closed. She proceeded to get up and tickled me.
•Jackson on his way to the locker room. That’s not good. The Eagles are going to need him in order to come back in this game.
•3rd and 4. Another first down for the Redskins. Cover the receivers!
•Quinton Ganther (who?) averaging 7 yards per carry.
•3rd and 15. Eagles need to stop them. Yes, they shut down the screen for a loss of 4. Redskins punt.
•Three and out again for the Eagles for the third time this quarter. Two dropped passes by Brent Celek. And the Eagles are 2 for 10 on third down conversions.
•3rd and 6 for the Redskins. False start. 3rd and 11. And Campbell runs for 16. But there is a flag. Holding on the Redskins. Thank goodness.

Quarter 4:
•Atlanta is losing to Tampa Bay. If they lose and the Eagles win, that would be huge in the playoff race. Philly is 6-4 right now and Atlanta is 5-5.
•Back to the game. 3rd and 21. If the Redskins convert this I give up. And the Eagles stop them. Philadelphia Mayor Nutter just announced they will be holding a parade for the Eagles stopping the Redskins on 3rd down.
•Another dropped pass by Celek. Does anybody have some Elmer’s glue?
•Oh no. McNabb hit as he throws and it is picked off. Redskins have the ball at the Eagles 23.
•3rd and goal from the 7. Should I just type touchdown ahead of time?
•And Campbell throws it out of the end zone. Big stop. Redskins can only go up by 8. 24-16.
•Decent return by Macho Harris for 29 yards but there is a flag. Of course it is on the Eagles.
•Huge gain by Avant for 46 yards. Keep it goin’ boys.
•Do the Eagles ever run a play in a formation other than shotgun?
•Big reception by Avant again for 22 yards. Uh oh, he is staying down.
•Vick in the game. And an incomplete pass. What the heck was that? Celek was wide open 4 yards away and the pass was not even close.
•3rd and two and they ran the ball. Wahoo! McCoy picks it up.
•Weaver with a nice run down to the 1! Punch it in…c’mon!
•Stuffed on 1st and goal. Play action and incomplete. C’mon!
•Touchdown run by Eldra Buckley!! Need the 2 point conversion to tie it and the Eagles call time-out. Wonderful, wasting the time outs. Yet another Eagles staple. I’m sure that will come back to bite them. Shovel pass and the Eagles tie the game up! Fly Eagles Fly. 24-24.
•I just can’t help but post when the Redskins have a 3rd down. This one is 3rd and 5. Do I sense a momentum switch with a big stop here? Yes, they stop him short. Penalty is on the Redskins. Decline and the Redskins will have to punt.
•First down run for McCoy after a touchback. Not missing Westbrook today.
•Deep ball caught by Maclin for 35 yards!
•Huge third down conversion to the Redskins 17-yard line.
•Give the ball back to McCoy. And they do, but for a loss of 1. Redskins take their second time-out with 2:08 remaining in the game.
•And the Flyers are going on the Peco power play. Sorry, that was random. Just passing time at the two-minute warning.
•3rd down and 6 and nothing develops. Washington takes their final time-out and the Eagles will attempt a field goal.
•Kick is up and it is goooooood. Now the defense needs to make a stop. 1:48 left.
•Two incomplete passes and it is 3rd and 10. Was just thinking, good thing Redskins tight end Chris Cooley is not playing today. He usually kills the Eagles.
•They got 9. 4th and 1. Here’s the game. Incomplete!!! Wow, Parker could have been called for roughing the passer there.
•A couple of knee downs and the Eagles go to 7-4 with a big game against Atlanta.

Blogging the Eagles game: first half

I only get to see about 5-6 Eagles games per season. Since moving to Ohio I certainly crave these games that are nationally televised. Lucky for me, this is two weeks in a row. I enjoyed watching the Birds beat up on the Bears last week. Hoping for another win today.

Pregame:
•I’m pumped. Big game today for the Eagles against the Redskins. Something tells me the Redskins are going to put up a fight. NFC East games are never easy.
•Frank Caliendo is hilarious. His impersonations are hilarious. I feel like I am actually listening to John Madden.
•Wife is running late to leave for the kid’s school to set up for Wiseman’s Warehouse. Uh oh, looks like I am going to be called to duty (help load the car) after the game has started.

Quarter 1:
•Here we go, Akers kicking off. Onside kick. Whoa! Oh no, Washington got it. Great field position for the Skins to start the game. Last time they did that to open the game it worked out better as they got the ball in a game in Dallas. Not a good start.
•Big third and one play on the first drive. Darn it. Seems like the Eagles never stop anyone on third downs.
•Shoot. Well that onside kick certainly backfired. Touchdown Redskins.
•Commercial and time to start loading the car. How fast can I go?
•Ok, I’m back. Eagles still have the ball.
•Leonard Weaver down to the Redskins 10! Nice leap over a defender at the end. C’mon, tie this thing up.
•Vick in the game. Definitely makes me move up on the edge of my seat. Vick down to the one. Darn, I would love to see the crowd’s reaction if he scored a TD. 3rd and goal.
•Darn it, he overthrew the TE. Why would they not run it from the one?
•Holy cow, they are going for it. Another throw….touchdown!! Flag on the play. Shoot, interference on the offense. Field goal time. 7-3.
•Penalties absolutely kill this team. They have to be one of the most undisciplined teams in the league.
•Big third down and five. Stop ‘em! Flags…false start. Almost picked off. Eagles getting the ball on a punt. DeSean Jackson back. Great moves. Go, go, one man to beat. Ohh! What a return. Only had one more man to beat.
•Wow, Houston up 14-0 over the undefeated Colts.
•Vick back in. Eagles at the Skins 42. Does not look like he got the yard they needed. Well short.
•Going for it on fourth down. C’mon. Run the ball with McCoy. Yes, Weaver got it over the top.
•Eagles have 94 yards, Redskins have 36. Boy did that onside kick backfire.
•Great scramble by McNabb…Jackson wide open in the end zone. Touchdown!! Jackson’s shortest TD of the season (35 yards). That is amazing. 10-7 Eagles.
•This is kind of nice. The girls are out playing with the neighbor. Son in sleeping. Wife is out (although I enjoy when she watches the games with me). Even the cat is not around. Quiet and focused on the Birds and nobody trying to pull things off of the Christmas tree.
•Rock Cartwright stuffed behind the line of scrimmage on first down. They should not have much of a running game today with Portis and Betts out of the lineup.
•3rd and 11. Darn, the screen pass gets 14 yards. Again, seems like the Eagles never stop 3rd downs.

Quarter 2:
•3rd down and 9. And yet another long conversion for the Skins.
•3rd and 2. Can the Eagles actually make a stop? Of course not. 27 yard gain inside the Eagles 10 yard line. Unbelievable. Redskins are 4 of 5 on third downs today. Maybe they should just down the ball on first and second down.
•Shoot, touchdown. Who in the world was covering Santana Moss? I was just as close as any defender. 14-10 Redskins.
•McNabb going deep! A little underthrown and incomplete. Would not have mattered anyway as Justice called for holding. Yet another penalty.
•Shovel pass to McCoy for 14 yards. This kid has some promise. I am about to explode. Yet another penalty and this one is coming back.
•Yeah! A play without a penalty.
•And now a sack. Eagles are not looking good.
•Wife is home. Good, someone to complain to about how the Eagles are playing. And someone to watch the game with.
•Here we go, 3rd and 9 and the Skins are not quite in FG range. Can the Eagles stop them for a change? Wow, they stopped them. Pinch me, I must be dreaming.
•McNabb to Avant for 14 yards. Speaking of which, I really should get an Avant patch and put it over Owens’ name on my black Eagles jersey. I have not put that jersey on in five years.
•And this drive got nowhere. Punt.
•Mason with a huge 15 yard run. How can the Eagles not stop these 3rd and 4th string backs? Oh, holding on the Redskins. Maybe that is why.
•Big pass play and almost a first down. Wow, Andy Reid showing some emotion on the sideline. He does not look happy.
•3rd and 2. Not only did the Eagles stop them but Asante Samuel intercepts it!! I tell ya, for someone who probably could not tackle my grandmother, he sure does a great job of cutting routes and getting to the ball. Great field position for the Eagles with a few minutes left in the half.
•1st and goal: pass, pass. Typical Andy Reid. Another penalty (false start)! C’mon guys. 3rd and goal. And stopped short. Another field goal. You have to score touchdowns in these scenarios. 14-13 Redskins.
•Bears and Vikings on next. Oh goodie, Brett Favre.
•Reid looks pissed. Good, show some emotion.
•42 seconds left in the half. Need to hold the Skins here.
•3rd and 8…another interception by Samuel!! 19 seconds left and the Eagles are in Redskins territory. Wow, what a great catch by Samuel digging the ball out right before it hit the ground.
•Screen play to McCoy down to the 22.
•12 seconds left. Got one shots before they need to kick a field goal.
•Kick is up and it is goooood. Eagles up 16-14 heading into halftime.

Eagles look to get on a roll heading into December

The Eagles were .500 and coming off two losses and a tie. It was Thanksgiving 2008 and the season was on the line with a game against Arizona.

The Eagles dominated, setting a strong ending to the season in motion.

Finishing the season 4-1, the Eagles rode their strong November ending into December and all the way to an NFC Championship game appearance.

The Eagles are a tad better this year at 6-4 (5-5-1) heading into their final November game, but once again, the stakes are high.

Philadelphia comes in off of a big win over the Bears on national television to face a tough Washington Redskin team.

Don't be fooled by the Redskins record of 3-7 fool you. They have been playing well as of late, losing by one one to first place Dallas last week and beating second place Denver the week before.

The Eagles won the first matchup of the year in Washington, 27-17.

Under Andy Reid, the Eagles are 7-3 in their final game of November. And like last year, the Eagles look to use this game as a stepping stool into a strong December.

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Sickening Eagles stat

Here's to hoping the Eagles/Bears game tonight is not decided by seven points or less.

To put it bluntly, the Eagles will not win if it is a close game.

Over the past 2 1/2 year, the Birds are a pathetic 4-13-1 in games decided by seven points or less. They were 1-6-1 last year and 0-2 this year.

That is terrible.

McNabb and the offense cannot generate game winning drives.

Tony Romo did it today for the Cowboys. So did Eli Manning. And Matt Stafford.

But for some reason the Ealges just can't figure out how to win close games.

Maybe it's the fact that they can't run the ball. Maybe it's because the other team has already seen 400 passes come their way during the game. Maybe it's the play calling. Maybe McNabb is just not a clutch player.

Whatever it is, this is absolutely killing the Eagles.

It's depressing.

Did the NL top manager voters pay attention this year?

I was absolutely blown away by the National League manager of the year vote and you don't have to look much further than team accomplishments to see why.

93-69, first place in their division
88-74, third place in their division
86-76, third place in their division

It's pretty obvious the first team I mention above had the best year. Yet, the second two had managers finished ahead of the first.

In a stunning vote, Charlie Manuel, who led the Phillies to their third straight division title and second straight World Series, finished sixth in the NL manager of the year vote. That is not a typo. Sixth.

San Francisco's Bruce Bochy and Atlanta's Bobby Cox finished fourth and fifth respectively. How do teams who finished third have a better manager than a team that won its division, especially when one of those teams is in the same division as the Phils? That makes no sense.

An argument could easily be made that Manuel could have beaten out a couple of the managers that finished in the top three.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre finished third and St. Louis' Tony La Russa finished second. Both teams won their division and the Dodgers were the best team in the National League.

Besides Manny Ramirez missing 50 games due to a suspension, neither dealt with the things Manuel did.

The Phils skipper did an amazing job with closer Brad Lidge, who was terrible all season. He stuck with his closer for most of the season, nursing his psyche. And despite one blown game in the World Series, Lidge had a great post-season.

Manuel dealt with a ton of injuries to his bullpen. He dealt with a terrible season from his lead off man. He overcame all odds and guided his team back to a second straight World Series.

The voters missed the boat on this one.

I'm not saying Manuel should have won the award. Colorado's Jim Tracy won after taking over as Rockies manager in late May with the Rockies 14 1/2 games out of first and then guiding his team to the playoffs.

So no, I'm not saying Manuel should have won. I am saying that he should have fared better than he did.

Only one move could make Phils 2010 favorites

The Philadelphia Phillies have a couple of obvious holes to fill this off season - third base and the bullpen. But there is only ONE major move they can make that would all but guarantee another shot at winning a World Series.

Bring out the old rumors because it's time to talk about Roy Halladay. Before you roll your eyes and tell me to move on, hear me out.

Considered by many to be the favorites to land the Blue Jays ace at the trade deadline, a deal for Halladay was too expensive for the Phillies. Instead, they made a much better long term deal, giving up a lot less and signing Cliff Lee, who had a spectacular start in a Phillies uniform and pitched like an ace in the playoffs.

Despite Lee's two wins in the World Series, the Phillies lost to the Yankees for one reason - starting pitching. CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Andy Pettitte out pitched Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez, and Joe Blanton.

Yes, I know Phillies closer Brad Lidge blew a game. And I know third baseman Pedro Feliz was useless minus a game tying home run in game 4. And yes, the Phillies need to improve these two areas.

But by-in-large, the Phillies did not lose to the Yankees because of their bullpen or Feliz.

By going into next season with the same rotation (likely minus Martinez), the Phillies are taking a big chance.

Sure, Hamels could pitch like he did in 2008 when he earned NLCS and World Series MVP's on the way to a championship. But the big word there is could. What if he does not get back to being an ace? The Phillies will be in the same situation they were this year.

Charlie Manual shuffled Blanton and JA Happ between the rotation and bullpen during the playoffs. That speaks measures for what he thought about his rotation.

So ask yourself, if the Phillies sign a third baseman that hits better than Feliz and if they sign a couple of good relievers, are you sure they could beat the Yankees or Red Sox in the World Series? I sure am not.

This is where the importance comes in of adding another strong pitcher.

Imagine a playoff rotation that consists of Halladay, Lee, and Hamels. Now are you sure they could beat the Yankees or Red Sox? I sure am.

At this point, I don't know what Halladay would cost, but it can't be as much as it did during the season. Halladay will be a free agent after the season.

The Jays still might ask for pitching prospect Kyle Drabek in a deal. If the Phillies can sign Halladay to an extension as part of the trade, I'd do it.

Are you still rolling your eyes?

Do I think this deal is going to happen? No, I do not.

But do I think it should happen? Absolutely.

Lee, Hamels, Happ, or Halladay, Lee, Hamels?

Need I say more?

Phils loss in series hurts

The Phillies were close to repeating as World Champs.

But to look at things honestly, they just flat-out got beat by a better, and more clutch team.

The New York Yankees got the big hits when they needed them and got the good pitching they needed to win their 27th championship.

The Phillies did not.

Overall, the former defending champs (hurts to say that) did not have a good series. Outside of Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz, Cliff Lee, and Chan-Ho Park nobody was dependable.

Ryan Howard went into a terrible slump at the wrong time. You're not going to win many titles when your cleanup hitter sets a World Series record for strikeouts.

Jimmy Rollins and Victorino did next to nothing at the top of the lineup. Except for a game-tying homerun in game 4, Pedro Feliz was absolutely useless at the plate. Jayson Werth only had one good game, when he homered twice in a game three loss. Raul Ibanez struggled in the beginning of the series. Ben Francisco did nothing when he got the chance to play. Brad Lidge reverted to his old self in blowing game 4. Charlie Manual made some questionable moves, twice leaving Pedro Martinez in games too long, including last night.

You get the idea, just about everyone had a hand in the loss. Oh, and the Yankees are a good team.

Had the Phillies played their best they could have beaten them. If Lidge doesn't blow game 4 maybe they win the series. If they actually got some hits with guys on base, maybe they win the series.

A lot of what-ifs.

It's depressing now, but it was a very good season. Considering their number two starter, Brett Myers, missed most of the season and they had a wrath of bullpen injuries, including missing JC Romero down the stretch, it is amazing they even made it this far. Lidge had a terrible season, Cole Hamles was not at all dependable, and Rollins struggled most of the season.

Not too often can a team make it to the World Series when their leadoff hitter, ace pitcher, and closer don't have good seasons. That in itself is pretty amazing.

Their ugly problems decided to peek out in the World Series though and it cost them.

Looking at next season, the Phillies have a few major areas of concern.

First is the bullpen. Lidge will remain the closer, but he needs to turn things around. They need Romero to come back healthy. Scott Eyre is considering retirement, but it would be huge to have him back as well. Bringing Park back should be a priority. The Phillies need some depth there though, especially with the lefty relievers. Due to their lack of depth, the Phils had to use one of their best starters, J.A. Happ, out of the bullpen during the playoffs.

Next is the bench. They Phillies had nobody who was reliable this year. Matt Stairs only had fiver homeruns. Greg Dobbs, who was great last season, was terrible this year. Francisco will be back and needs to play better. Eric Bruntlett and Miguel Cairo are the pits. The Phillies need a better bench, someone who can actually do something when pinch hitting. Maybe they use John Mayberry Jr. there this season. Maybe Michael Taylor spends some time with the big leage club this year. Whatever it is, the Phillies need depth.

Speaking of depth, the Phillies need more in the infield. Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Ryan Howard play too much during the regular season. They wear down. I would love to see the Phillies sign Mark DeRosa, who can play anywhere in the infield. They need their big guns to be fresher come playoff time.

Another decision will come at third base as Feliz is a free agent. While his defense is superb, they need more pop there. The Phillies should look for a better option there.

Other than that, their starting lineup is pretty much set. It will come down to guys like Rollins having better years.

The Phillies could also use a jolt to their starting rotation. Martinez will not be back. but Jamie Moyer will be. With the guys they have now, the rotation would probably line up with Lee, Hamels, Happ, Blanton, and Moyer. I want to see another arm in here. Not sure what you would do with Moyer and/or Blanton but the Phillies need more. If not during the off-season, maybe stud prospect Kyle Drabek makes his major league debut this season.

I'm extremely disappointed with how this season ended. But the great thing about sports is that there is always next year. That has been a cliche for so long for the Phillies, but not anymore. They truely are built to win for a while and have a realistic shot to reclaim their title. This series showed that they need to get better though.

And that starts today.