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.