October 11, 2015
Beautiful day in South Philly for a must-win game between a couple of 1-3 teams. Here is what I saw in the first half:
• Josh Huff hardly gets a chance to return kickoffs anymore because he’s always taking a knee deep in the end zone. Today, he took a short opening kick back past the 40-yard line.
• This is both good and bad news: Ryan Mathews looks like a straight-up better runner than DeMarco Murray right now. Overall, the Eagles running game had a decent half: 15 carries for 85 yards.
• When two opposing defenders comically run into each other, this Eagles offense is practically unstoppable. Huff scooted in from 41 yards out early in the second quarter, and then he flipped into the end zone.
• I thought Byron Maxwell had a nice half, often matched up with the speedy Brandin Cooks.
• All Jordan Hicks does is get his hands on the ball. Nice job by Fletcher Cox to get home and force the (questionable) fumble by Drew Brees.
• FOX showed a shot of the Palestra instead of Pat’s or Geno’s coming out of the commercial break. I approve!
• Anyone else getting tired of Brees’ pump-up speeches always being shown on camera before the game? Once you lose to the Bucs at home, I feel like you forfeit the right to have those speeches considered as inspiring.
• Sam Bradford threw two red zone interceptions, both of which were bad passes. This should probably have gone in the “ugly” category.
• Twice, Kelly went for it on 4th and long instead kicking 50+ yard field goals. Safe to say he doesn’t have much confidence in Caleb Sturgis. I don’t blame him.
• The refs. That is all.
• It’s fine to go for it on 4th and 7 in Saints territory when your kicking situation is shaky. It’s not OK to throw a go route to Riley Cooper 25 yards down the field that doesn’t have a prayer on said 4th and 7. Bradford and Cooper couldn’t connect on a later 4th down play as well.
• There are still far too many DraftKings and FanDuel commercials. Can the government at least regulate those?
• On the second drive, Bradford was in an excellent rhythm in the intermediate passing game. That is, until he threw a completely garbage interception in the red zone. Like, he underthrew an open Cooper by a good five yards when it’s clear the ball should’ve been overthrown if anything. One of the worst throws I’ve honestly ever seen, and just a killer as far as today’s game is concerned.
• The Eagles didn’t match up with Ben Watson inside the 10-yard line, and Brees made them pay. Miscommunications like that are things that bad teams do, poorly coached teams as well.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
