The lights go up. ESPN’s
mind-numbing music plays for the 93rd time. The Eagles open up with
the ball. Something just feels right.
Fast forward 15 seconds.
The football bounces out of
bounds after an errant throw by Mike Vick to DeSean Jackson.
Here comes a loooooooong night.
Following the throw, the Eagles managed to string together three
passes and four runs to reach the New Orleans 27 yard line. Even through a few
miscues, it looked like was Vick was moving his team toward, at the least, 3
points. It was then, however, that Vick himself felt it necessary to increase
his number of turnovers on the season. A sack by the Saints was followed by a
second, this one pushing the ball out of the QB’s hands and back down into
Eagle territory. Left with nothing but a 3rd and 35, the Eagles
would have to eventually punt the ball away. (Forget the whole “at the least, 3
points” concept)
The Saints would receive the ball and get it to the
Philadelphia 34 yard line. A missed field goal would then give the Eagles a chance
with the ball at about midfield. Andy Reid then recalled something he had rarely
tried before. Other teams had perfected it, but for him and his team, it had
become blasphemy. McCoy took the ball for about 8 yards. Next was Bryce Brown’s
turn, and he would push forward for a 4o yard gain. The Eagles were on the cusp
of scoring from just 6 yards out. However, what happened next could only be
predicted by the ancient Mayans on an old stone in the middle of their desolate
village. Mike Vick threw an interception. Not only was it an interception, but
it was a pick-6. A 99-yard pick-6. Then Vick was assessed a personal foul
penalty. On his own interception. Have you ever watched a child’s balloon pop
in their own hands?
It’s sad, folks.
To close out the 1st, the Eagles made minimal
gain. But the big story was somewhat of a cruel joke played on the Eagles by
the football gods, who knocked tackle Todd Herremans out of the game with an
apparent ankle injury. When the 2nd quarter opened up, the running
game brought more opportunities for the Eagles. A 34 yard run by McCoy would
lead to a field goal and a 7-3 game. The defense, though, could do nothing to
stop Drew Brees’ offense, and the Saints marched 76 yards for a touchdown and a
14-3 lead. The next 5 possessions by the teams were relatively quiet, other
than another touchdown drive for the Saints.
Halftime. 21-3 Saints. Barack Obama and Mitt Romney plead
for everyone’s vote. (Am I the only one sickened that Romney took credit for
the Patriot’s Super Bowl titles?)
In some sort of payback for the Eagles, Drew Brees would
lead the Saints down the field for 11 plays until the ball was fumbled away.
Doing something that hasn’t seemed to have happened in years, DeSean Jackson
caught a 77 yard touchdown from Mike Vick. The score was now 21-10. On the
kickoff, Saints kick returner Tavaris Cadet fumbled the ball and the Eagles
landed on it. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for the Eagles to get back
in the game. But they were in the red zone, so that wasn’t going to happen.
Instead, they took their 3 points and kicked it away again.
After another Eagles penalty lead to another Saints
touchdown, the Eagles concocted some sort of debauchery on the kick return.
Brandon Boykin did his best Mike Vick impression by throwing the ball to a
Riley Cooper that had just been LAYING DOWN on the Saints’ end zone logo. Forward
passing is frowned upon on kick returns, so the ball was brought back to the 3
yard line. Needless to say, that drive went nowhere.
When the Eagles got the ball back in the fourth, they would
have an extended 12 play drive that would end in the 7th sack of
Mike Vick and a fumble by Brent Celek. In their final possession, Vick took the
team on a 10 play drive that consisted of exactly ZERO running plays and no
points.
Final: Eagles 13,
Saints 28
7 sacks allowed. 1 touchdown. Vick’s continuing turnovers.
The offensive line continued to struggle.
There are many topics to discuss coming out of this game.
Most of them are disappointing.
Next week, the 3-5 Eagles take on the 3-5 Cowboys on Sunday
in Philly. As always, there is much at stake in this game. The loser moves on
to Week 11 down 3 games under .500.
Check back on eagledelphia.com throughout the week for more
Eagles news and updates. The QB and head coach situation will be discussed, as
well as the O-line and the defensive struggles.
Follow Andrew Gillen
on Twitter @BIG_G_48
