Chip Kelly's Eagles are 1-2 following their 26-16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night.
There were many glaring plays from the Eagles offense in
Thursday’s 26-16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Three of them involved Michael
Vick.
Vick threw a pair of interceptions, including one returned
38 yards by Eric Berry for a touchdown, and also fumbled the ball away on the
Eagles last offensive snap of the game.
Vick said after the game that he took responsibility for the
loss. But the loss doesn’t fall solely on Vick’s shoulders.
It was clear that Vick missed the presence of Jeremy Maclin
on a night like this. The Chiefs contained DeSean Jackson, holding him to just
three catches on the night. The tight ends – Brent Celek and Zach Ertz – were
covered well by the linebacking corps.
Essentially, Vick was limited to Riley Cooper and Jason
Avant, who combined caught seven of Vick’s 13 completions for 116 yards and
Vick’s only passing touchdown of the night.
Cooper was targeted seven times on the night. Obviously, the
success rate of completion was low. Vick had the third highest passer rating
entering Thursday’s game. On Thursday night, Vick’s passer rating was 49.4.
It’s not to say that Cooper and Avant aren’t good receivers.
They are receivers playing outside of their usual roles. Avant is a slot
receiver primarily. Cooper would probably not be a No. 2 receiver on any team’s
depth chart.
With Jackson being covered, Vick was forced to make passes
to Cooper and Avant, and at times, throw the ball into difficult coverages.
Furthermore, because there were no guarantees that the
Chiefs defense would not have a mental breakdown, Vick looked Jackson’s way
constantly, hoping he could attempt the home-run pass. Vick found that chance
once, completing a 40-yard pass along the sideline.
The offensive line had a rough night as well. Jason Kelce,
playing three days after suffering a thumb injury, fumbled on a pass with Vick
lined up in the shotgun formation. Whether it was the thumb causing problems or
Kelce thinking Vick was under center, it is an inexcusable mistake.
Jason Peters and Todd Herremans both also missed assignments
on plays that resulted in sacks for the Chiefs. Justin Houston had a monstrous
night, recording 3 ½ sacks and recovering two fumbles. Houston feasted on the
mistakes of the Eagles O-line.
Finally, it is another game to learn from mistakes for Chip
Kelly. The two-point conversion attempt following the Eagles first touchdown
was an ill-advised decision. It may be something that you get away with in the
college game. It usually comes back to haunt you in the NFL.
Kelly also got a hard lesson from Andy Reid in clock
management. Reid totally mismanaged the end of the first half. As regulation
started to come to a close, Reid masterfully worked the clock to perfection.
The Chiefs made the most of the final drive that finished
with a 38-yard field goal from Ryan Succop, who had four in the game. The drive
lasted 8:15. The Chiefs converted on two third-down plays, including a
3rd-and-10 from their own five.
As much as those late third-down conversions were on the
defense, they had been heavily worked by the fourth quarter. The Chiefs offense
was on the field for 39:07 of the game, the second straight week the Eagles had
been badly beaten in the possession game.
For as much as Kelly wants to state time of possession
doesn’t matter to his style of play, it is hurting the team now.
Overall, it was a team loss on Thursday. For people who
wanted to look at Vick solely, it was an unfair blaming.
Seeing Vick shouldering the blame is courageous and admirable,
but he isn’t the only reason the Eagles are sitting at 1-2 after playing three
games in 11 days.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Look for his Monday Review following every Eagles game. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
