No victory on the scoreboard can replace what the Eagles have lost on the field. Nick Foles and DeMeco Ryans both suffered long-term injuries in the Eagles 31-21 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday.
For Foles, a broken collarbone leaves him out indefinitely. Ryans season is over after an torn Achilles.
This is the captain of the defense and one of the most valuable assets to the offense. The Eagles survived Sunday and the road ahead will certainly be tough.
The two losses outweighed the win on Sunday. But at 6-2, the Eagles can’t back down from the challenge that awaits. Not when they could get Foles back in due time. Not when the NFC is really there for the taking.
In a season where it was questioned whether the Eagles could compete for a deep playoff run, they seem poised to do so. Take away some self-inflicted wounds and this team really is and can be a well-oiled machine. It hasn’t always looked that way, but the Eagles really are the second-best team in the NFC by record.
Sunday’s win was crucial in the standings, as the Eagles moved ahead of the Cowboys for the lead in the NFC East. It was a win picked up by Mark Sanchez, who will have the chance to earn a few more in the coming weeks.
In some cases, Sanchez success was what fans wanted to see. Foles wasn’t performing as he did a year, though repeating 2013 was going to be impossible. His struggles have been frustrating. But injury is never wished upon anyone, especially someone who is trying to erase a tough start to the season.
And for Ryans, making a homecoming of sorts in Houston, a great career becomes marred with a gruesome injury with a long and difficult recovery. There are many valuable members to a football team. The Eagles may have lost the most valuable player to their defense.
There will be challenges and bumps in the road moving forward. In one afternoon, the Eagles mainly healthy team took two huge hits.
This team talks about fight and playing for the next guy in line. That will be the mantra moving forward.
It starts next week against the Panthers on Monday night at home.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
