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        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  EAGLES....................Week 15 Analysis
        
(Message started by: Philly on Dec 12^th, 2003, 5:30pm)

Title: EAGLES....................Week 15 Analysis
Post by Philly on Dec 12^th, 2003, 5:30pm

All I've heard on Philly Sports Talk Radio this week is the number of people heading from Philly down to Miami for this game. There are estimates of 15,000 to 25,000 Eagles fans who will be in the stadium Monday Night.

This is an interesting game of contrasts. Both teams are quality NFL teams who should make the playoffs. However, the Eagles were 0-2 a quarter of the way into the season and have won eight straight en-route to their 10-3 record. The Eagles also have the best late-season record since 2000 (26-5 in November and December during that time). The Dolphins, however, are a team known for starting strong and collapsing in the winter (even in sunny Miami). The Dolphins are 7-8 in December over the past three seasons.

The Dolphins will probably look to exploit the Eagles lack of quality depth at DT and their undersized MLB by running Ricky right up the gut time and time again. They should have some success doing this too. However, the Eagles have given up some pretty gaudy rushing totals to opposing RBs during their winning streak, but they don't allow many points, which, ultimately, is what matters in the end.

The Eagles have a fairly balanced attack. They have three quality RBs to throw at the opposition (and threw all three of them at once in a play against Dallas last week) and can spread the ball around to its RBs, WRs, and TEs through the passing game.

One of the things helping the Eagles win is turnovers. Over the past six games, the Eagles have only turned the ball over one time (a muffed kick return by a blocker on a short kick). Their defense, however, has been quite opportunistic over that same stretch.

The Eagles exploited a solid Dallas D last week to the tune of 36 points. I wouldn't expect that much offense from the Eagles this week; Miami's defense has played well despite their late-season swoon (including a 12-0 loss to New England in the snow last week). I'd watch for a defensive battle, with a special teams or defensive score quite possibly being the difference in the game.

Projections:

QB: McNabb had an excellent week against Dallas, throwing for more than 200 yards and 3 TDs. Look for him to come back down and have a less impressive game this weekend.

McNabb: 22-30 224 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 3 carries-31 yards

RB: Last week Correll Buckhalter got the bulk of the carries and made the most of them, including a 60 yard run to put the game away. Watch for more Westbrook this week as his quickness could lead to some nice numbers.

Westbrook: 14 carries-78 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches-23 yards
Staley: 5 carries-26 yards, 3 catches-19 yards
Buckhalter: 8 carries-35 yards

WR: Thrash and Mitchell have been the most reliable targets for McNabb lately, although it seems Pinkston is drawing some nice pass interference penalties against the defense despite not getting many catches.

Thrash: 4 catches-42 yards
Pinkston: 2 catches-18 yards
Mitchell: 4 catches-56 yards

TE: LJ Smith made it into the endzone for the first time last week. Perhaps Chad Lewis will get less attention this week and sneak in himself.

Smith: 3 catches-40 yards
Lewis: 2 catches-26 yards, 1 TD

K: Akers. Plays the kicker position like Ronnie Lott played the safety position.

Akers: 2-2 XP, 2-2 FG

Defense: If you lose points for yards allowed, then the Eagles defense might not be the best bet. If it's only points and turnovers, then give them the start.

Defense: 17 PA, 160 rush yards allowed, 130 pass yards allowed, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 FR

Final Score:

Dolphins 17
Eagles 20

Title: Re: EAGLES....................Week 15 Analysis
Post by FourTwoOh on Dec 12^th, 2003, 7:08pm

Been dyin' to congradulate you on the Eagles turn around. Seemed as good a place as any.

Solid analysis, as always my friend. Good stuff.

Title: Re: EAGLES....................Week 15 Analysis
Post by Philly on Dec 12^th, 2003, 8:24pm

Welcome back... We've missed your in-depth Chiefs analyses this fall. I've still got my $20 ticket from the Bellagio in Las Vegas from last March that has the Chiefs at 18-1 odds to win the Super Bowl this year. I'm hoping to celebrate an Eagles SB win or a Chiefs SB win. (Although I'd rather lose the $20 and have the Eagles win one.)

Title: Re: EAGLES....................Week 15 Analysis
Post by bakes781 on Dec 13^th, 2003, 1:19pm

Hey Philly what's the payout on that $20 if the Chiefs win? It would be a shame if the Pats cost you a few grand. haha I wouldn't go writing any blank checks prematurely b/c I fully expect my Pats to knock of the Chiefs. We just gotta get our offense in gear as we head into the playoffs.

Title: Re: EAGLES....................Week 15 Analysis
Post by Philly on Dec 14^th, 2003, 8:56pm

The payoff is only $360. The Chiefs are the AFC team I've been rooting for since Dick V. took the helm. I grew up with the Pats as my second team (my grandparents lived in Massachusetts and were big Pats fans), so I don't mind seeing them have some success either. But ultimately, the Eagles need to win it this year.

Title: Re: EAGLES....................Week 15 Analysis
Post by Philly on Dec 16^th, 2003, 9:38am

on 12/12/03 at 17:30:31, Philly wrote:

Actual: 15-27 236 yards, 1 INT, 8 carries-14 yards, 1 TD
Some swirling winds and a solid defense kept McNabb off balance a bit. Not a great personal day, but still led the team to a win.

Quote:

Actual:
Westbrook: 8 carries-59 yards, 1 TD, 3 catches-45 yards, 1 TD
Staley: 6 carries-58 yards
Buckhalter: 6 carries-9 yards, 1 TD
The nation got to see what a dangerous back Westbrook is, especially on that first TD run. They also saw that Staley is still capable of being a #1 back in the league. Buckhalter couldn't really get it going, but still got to the endzone.

Quote:

Actual:
Thrash: 2 catches-48 yards
Pinkston: 2 catches-78 yards
Mitchell: 2 catches-30 yards
The receivers didn't do much in the way of number of receptions, but they were able to stretch the field a bit and keep the safeties off the line some.

Quote:

Actual:
Smith: 3 catches-16 yards
Lewis: 2 catches-31 yards
LJ Smith, known for his athleticism and soft hands coming out of college, has developed hands of stone in his first year in the NFL. If Smith wants to become an impact TE, he'll have to hold onto the ball better.

Quote:

K: Akers. Plays the kicker position like Ronnie Lott played the safety position.

Akers: 2-2 XP, 2-2 FG

Actual: 4-4 XP, 2-2 FG
Is there another kicker you'd want on your team?

Quote:

Actual: 27 PA, 177 rush yards, 240 pass yards, 2 sacks, 2 Interceptions
A lot more offense than I think anyone really expected. Defense still made the stops when they needed to.

Quote:

Final Score:

Dolphins 17
Eagles 20

Actual:
Dolphins 27
Eagles 34
This was a fun game to watch. Plenty of offense. Big hits on defense. Some skirmishes after the whistle. An Eagle fan contingent that should make any Dolphin fan embarrassed. With the win, the Eagles stay ahead of St. Louis for the #1 seed in the play-offs.

Title: Re: EAGLES....................Week 15 Analysis
Post by DirkDiggler on Dec 16^th, 2003, 9:20pm

Great job Philly!!

The game was incredible last night. The Eagles looked good. Real good.

The one thing that still bothers me is Smith. He drives me crazy playing that TE position. He drops so many damn passes.