On September 13th, 2010,
Eagles QB Kevin Kolb suffered a brutal concussion in the season
opener vs. the Green Bay Packers, and was knocked out of the game.
Backup Michael Vick would replace him, and almost lead Philadelphia
to an incredible comeback win. From that game on, the starting
Quarterback job belonged to Vick, and Kolb was shipped out to Arizona
the following Summer.
Philadelphia's first matchup with the
Cards since the Kolb trade came last year, but it would be QB John
Skelton who took the reigns, as Kolb missed the game with an injury.
But more than two years after the former Eagles second round pick
lost his job, he and Vick would finally meet up in Arizona.
On this day, it would be the bird of a
different feather that ruled the day. After the Eagles opening drive
stalled, Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals would jump out to a quick lead.
Kolb worked the ball methodically down the field, going 5/5 on the
drive and setting up Jay Feely for a 47 yard Field Goal. Arizona
would take a 3-0 lead, and would control the game from then on.
The Eagles would force the Cardinals
to punt on their second drive, but rookie WR Damaris Johnson fumbled
the punt return, and Philadelphia would not be able to recover.
Working with a short field, Kolb did not take long to find the back
of the end zone. On 3rd & 5 from the Eagles 8 yard
line, Kolb would connect with WR Michael Floyd, who tipped the ball
up, avoided a tackle by Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie, came down with
the football and waltzed into for the Touchdown.
Philadelphia found themselves in a
10-0 hole after the First Quarter, and their Offensive woes would
continue well into the Second. Michael Vick would fumble the football
while scrambling out of the pocket, resulting in an Arizona recovery.
On the next Eagles drive they refused to put the ball on the ground,
and had a quick 3 and out possession.
Kevin Kolb would get the ball back at
the Cardinals 45, and after a Jeff King reception for 15 yards, the
Cardinals QB would find the league's best wideout. Expecting to get
Safety help, a beat Nnamdi Asomugha left Larry Fitzgerald all alone,
who rolled into the end zone on a 37 yard reception, making it 17-0.
The Eagles final drive of the half
would be a summation of their game.
On the Cardinals 15 yard line, Vick
would find DeSean Jackson over the middle, but S Kerry Rhodes would
make a phenomenal play on the ball, stuffing Jackson right on the
goal line. After Vick was forced to throw to passes away, the Eagles
found themselves with a 3rd & Goal with just :06 left
in the Second Half. Coach Andy Reid decided to go for the Touchdown,
and that would prove deadly. Vick was destroyedon a blitz from none
other than Kerry Rhodes, whose jarring hit forced the ball out. His
teammate James Sanders would pick the ball up and run it 93 yards for
a Touchdown as the clock expired, making it 24-0 at the half.
It seemed as though Philadelphia had
gone back to their game plan from Week 1, as they continually threw
the football to no avail, and LeSean McCoy had just 4 carries.
The Eagles would outscore the
Cardinals 6-0 in the Third Quarter, thanks to 36 and 40 yard field
goals from Kicker Alex Henery, but they were unable to put 7 on the
board.
The Fourth Quarter was filled with
errant passing , and although they finally decided to run the ball,
it was to late in the game to make a differnce.
Jay Feely would tack on one more field
goal, and the Cardinals would win 27-6.
Philadelphia came into this football
game looking like a team that was 0-2, rather than 2-0. Their
offensive line, missing Center Jason Kelce and LT King Dunlap was
manhandled by Arizona's strong pass rush. The hit Vick a whopping 35
times, and sacked him 5 of those times.
Vick's stat line would be 17/37 for
217 yards, and no Touchdowns. He did what he could on this day, but
the loss of WR Jeremy Maclin with a hip pointer took away the Eagles
best receiving option.
After receiving just 13 carries,
LeSean McCoy mustered 70 yards, and continues to prove why a balanced
offense is so vital in the National Football League.
On the other sideline, Kevin Kolb
would go 17/24 for 222 yards and 2 Touchdowns.
With this loss, Philadelphia falls
behind the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East because the 'Boys hold a
1-0 Divison record. However, the Eagles will get their first divison
test as they face the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football next
week.
