Chargers Beat Eagles 31-23 and Win their Fourth Straight Game
After winning their third straight game, the San Diego Chargers were looking to get a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles to keep up with Denver in the AFC West division. The Chargers got off to a big 28-9 lead, at the end of the 3rd quarter. However, the Eagles were able to comeback, but it was a little too late as the Chargers beat the Eagles, 31-23.
LaDainian Tomlinson had a great game for the Chargers. L.T. ran for 96-yards and had two touchdowns. Philip Rivers also had a great game too. Rivers threw for 231-yards and two touchdowns. The Chargers offense were able to get into a good rhythm despite the tough Eagles defense and giving up two sacks.
But, what won the game for the San Diego Chargers, was the play of the Chargers defense. Even though the Chargers defense gave up 450-yards and two late touchdowns to Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb, it was the Chargers defense holding the Eagles to three early field goals instead of letting the them score touchdowns that was the deciding factor.
For the Philadelphia Eagles, kicking field goals instead of scoring touchdowns, will not win you games. When you get close to the goal line, you got to score touchdowns. One other problem for the Eagles is the inability to run the ball. If the Eagles were able to run the ball maybe they could have run the ball in for a touchdown rather than trying to throw the ball for a touchdown all the time. The Eagles are going to need to overcome this issue if they expect to go deep into the playoffs.
As for the San Diego Chargers, they need to put more pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback. You cannot have a quarterback throw all over your defense. The Chargers defense played good enough to beat the Eagles, but they need to play better if they are going to beat the Broncos next week. The good news for the Chargers is that they find themselves in a first place tie with the Denver Broncos. Credit to the Chargers for coming back from being 2-3 to 6-3. Now, the Chargers have a big game next Sunday. Lets see who will take control of the AFC West division next week when the Chargers go to Denver.
Bad Week for the Bears and Cutler
For Chicago Bears quarterback, Jay Cutler, this has not been a good week. Last Sunday, the Chicago Bears lost to the Arizona Cardinals, 41-21. And then, on Thursday night, the Chicago Bears lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 10-6. In that game against the 49ers, despite his first four interceptions, the Bears still had a chance to win the game at the end. However, Jay Cutler last interception was a costly one.
The Bears were at the 12-yard line of the 49ers, but Jay Cutler threw his fifth interception in the end zone to 49ers safety, Michael Lewis, at the end the game, which ended any chances of a Bears victory. If that was not bad enough for Jay Cutler, on Friday, the NFL fined him $20,000 for his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the game against the Arizona Cardinals. From being traded from the first place Denver Broncos, at the beginning of season, to the struggling Chicago Bears, what else could go wrong for Jay Cutler?
Well, there is nothing like a win to turn things around. The Chicago Bears will play the Philadelphia Eagles next week. Hopefully for the Chicago Bears and Jay Cutler, they can get a win to get into the playoff race. Though, it will be tough going against the Eagles defense. We shall see if Jay Cutler and the Bears can recover, so stay tuned.
(Sources: ESPN)
What’s wrong with the Eagles Signing Michael Vick?
The biggest question in the NFL was who was going to sign Michael Vick? And, on Thursday, it was announced that Michael Vick had signed a one-year deal with an option for a second year with the Philadelphia Eagles. Why would the Eagles sign Michael Vick? The Eagles already have a quarterback in Donovan McNabb. Also, the Eagles already have an athletic all-pro player in Brian Westbrook. So, why would you bring in the Michael Vick and the drama that will follow him?
Well, if there was a team that is not new to controversy, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles. A couple of years ago, the Eagles had to deal with Terrell Owens. But, this is very different situation for the Eagles. Who know what issues will occur as a result of the signing of Michael Vick. However, for the Philadelphia Eagles, it is a good thing that they have a good head coach and veteran players that will be able to deal with this issue.
In terms of playing football, the Philadelphia Eagles run the “West Coast Offense”, which Michael Vick played in when he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons. Vick will need to get into football shape and we shall see how he will fit in with the rest of the team. And, if Michael Vick can be successful playing with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Eagles can be a dangerous team going into this season.
(Sources: ESPN)
Super Bowl is Set, Steelers vs. Cardinals
Coming into this year, other than the hardcore Cardinals fans, nobody thought that the Arizona Cardinals were going to be in the Super Bowl. However, once the Cardinals were in the playoffs, nobody was going to stop the Cardinals. In the first round, the Cardinals were able to control the running game of the Atlanta Falcons, which lead to the Cardinals victory. In Carolina, the Panthers turnovers gave the Cardinals all they needed to take control of that game. And, in the NFC Championship game, the Philadelphia Eagles had their chances, but the Eagles tough defense could not deny Kurt Warner and the Cardinals of their destiny. Now, the Arizona are on their way to the Super Bowl to face the AFC Champions, Pittsburgh Steelers.
After the Tennessee Titans lost to the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers gain home field advantage in the AFC. For the Steelers, they were able to take advantage of this opportunity. In the second round of the playoffs, the Steelers were able to control the clock and run the ball on the San Diego Chargers. The Steelers defense were able to stop the high-powered Chargers offense and moved on to the next round. In the AFC Championship game, the Steelers defense and Baltimore Ravens defense battle back and forth. But, in the end, Ravens quarterback, Joe Flacco, made the big mistake and the Steelers were finally able to capitalize. Steelers cornerback, Troy Polamalu, interception the ball and returned it for a touchdown, which helped end the Ravens season. The Steelers were able to get on a roll and are rolling on to the Super Bowl to face the Arizona Cardinals. Game time starts in two week, let the countdown to Super Bowl XLIII begin.
Turnovers End Giants, Titans, and Panthers Season
Whether it was fumbles, interceptions or not converting on 4th down situations, this past weekend was bad timing for turnovers. For the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers, turning the ball over during the playoffs ended their dreams of being Super Bowl Champions. All these teams worked hard to gain a bye in the playoffs, but it did not matter as a result of the turnovers.
For the defending Super Bowl Champions New York Giants, even though Eli Manning did throw two interceptions in their lost to the Philadelphia Eagles that was not the major factor that doomed them. The Giants inability to get the 1st down when they tried to go for it on 4th down was very costly. The Eagles stop them a couple of times in the 4th quarter and would then capitalize by scoring a touchdown and then eventually winning the game.
As for the Tennessee Titans, they lost only 3 games all season, but the curial turnovers by the Titans would lead to Baltimore Raves 13-10 victory. Titians quarterback, Kerry Collins, had a costly fumble when the Titans were driving in the 2nd quarter. Later in the quarter, Kerry Collins threw an interception that could had lead to points for the Titans. Towards the end of the 2nd quarter, Titans running back, LenDale White, would also fumble the football, which gave the Titans no chance of getting any points in that quarter. The final turnover that was very costly for Titans was when Alge Crumple fumble the ball at the 5-yard line when the Titans looked like they were going to score. Without these turnovers, the Titans could have scored several times, but it was not meant to be.
Finally for the Carolina Panthers, coming into their game against the Arizona Cardinals, the main issue was if the Cardinals were going to able to handle the Panthers offense, but it was the Panthers that had the issues. The Panthers main issues was their turnovers, especially during crucial times in the game by Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme. Jake Delhomme threw five interceptions, which helped lead to the Cardinals victory. After falling behind, the Panthers tried to get back into this game, but interceptions stopped any chance of that happening and they would lose 33-13 to the Cardinals.
Now, as these teams looked back, they had a great season, but their mistakes in the playoffs will haunted them until next season. Tough break for Giants, Titans and Panthers to gain home field advantage and a first round bye and have it all end in one game. These teams should be back next year, hopefully for them, next time, it will be their opponents that make the mistakes.
Big Plays, Tough Defense, Eagles Win
At the beginning of this game, it was going to be a defensive struggle. The team that did not give up the big play was going to win this game. The Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings went to back and forth throughout the 1st half. But, it was the Eagles that made the big play to control this game in the 2nd half when Brian Westbrook scored on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Donovan McNabb in the 4th quarter. The Vikings eventually made the big mistake. The Minnesota Vikings were trying to get back into this game, but the Vikings had a bad exchange between their center, Matt Birk, and the quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson, in which the Vikings fumbled the football. The Eagles recovered the ball and then they would finished off the Minnesota Vikings on a field goal by David Akers to win 26-14.
During this game, the Philadelphia Eagles had some success moving the ball, but they could not scored a touchdown. The Eagles had to settle for three field goals in the 1st half due to the tough defense by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings also had there own struggles on offense. Not until the 2nd quarter is when the Vikings were able to score. Adrian Peterson was able to break through the Eagles defense and scored a touchdown on a 40-yard run. After the Eagles scored on a field goal to take the lead 9-7, Eagles cornerback, Asante Samuel, intercepted the ball and returned it for a 44-yard touchdown return. But, the Vikings would comeback and scored a touchdown on a 3-yard run by Adrian Peterson to keep the game close at 16-14.
Tough defense was the name of this game. But, in the end, it was the Eagles that would finally make the big plays to win the game. For the Minnesota Vikings, this was a tough game to lose, but for the overall picture, this was a good season for the Vikings. As for the Philadelphia Eagles, they’ll get ready to play the defending Super Bowl Champions, the New York Giants. Will the Eagles be ready to face another tough defense, we’ll find out.
Donovan McNabb Embarrassed by Team’s Performance
Donovan McNabb wrote in his blog, on Yardbaker.com, that he was embarrassed on how the Philadelphia Eagles played the last two weeks. Donovan McNabb felt that his team should have beaten the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears. Donovan McNabb reiterated his feelings at his news conference, on Wednesday. McNabb felt that the Philadelphia Eagles could have played better and that everyone, including himself, needed to step it up.
What’s wrong with the Philadelphia Eagles is that they are only just two games behind in the division. Anything can still happen, but the better team did win the last two Sundays. It easy to say we should have done this or that, but you got to make the plays to win games. Maybe it’s just one or two plays that decides the game, but that’s football. Like they say, “It is what it is” or “On any given Sunday.” That’s true in this case as well. Hopefully for the Philadelphia Eagles, they’ll listen to Donovan McNabb and do what they need to do to start winning games. Only time will tell where the Eagles go from here.
(Sources: Yardbarker.com, NFL.com, ESPN)