Philadelphia Eagles: Going Downhill Early? Chip Kelly, This is NFL not Oregon
Where do we start with the 2013 Philadelphia Eagles? This is
a team that has had more potential on paper and more media attention and high
expectations than perhaps any NFL team in the last few seasons since the return
of quarterback, Mike Vick.
Let’s rewind to week one: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington
Redskins. (NFC East Divisional):
New coach, Chip Kelly, and his offensive scheme were off to
a smoking start in week 1, giving everyone the impression that the Eagles would
be a powerhouse on offense. Philly scored 26 first half points and scored very
quickly with ease and at will, almost like a piece of cake!
The Turning Point…
Four weeks into NFL football, the Eagles season has already started
to go downhill since after halftime of week 1 versus the Redskins. Philly led
26-7 at halftime, but gave up 20 points and only produced 7 more points since.
LeSean McCoy dominated on the ground for nearly 6 yards per carry with 184
yards on 31 attempts. Vick was effective in the pocket and on the pass,
connecting with Desean Jackson 7 times for 104 yards and one touchdown. The Eagles
scored 33 points.
Yes, the Eagles won the game, but one wrong move earlier in
the game could have easily made Washington the winners of this season opener.
Fast Forward: Week 2
vs. San Diego Chargers…
After scoring 33 points again and facing another near loss
to the San Diego Chargers, you have to question Chip Kelly’s game strategy. Things
that make you skeptical if he is ready for the NFL, after his shine as college
coach in Oregon. More on Chip Kelly to come…it gets greater in week 3, but for
now, Vick and Jackson were again among the top performers for Philadelphia.
Vick passed for 428 yards through the air, while Jackson pulled down 9 for 193
yards and a touchdown. This bout was quite a bit different from week 1 as far
as closeness in the score, but still, the Eagles left room for skeptics after
barely winning another 33 point game. It just makes one wonder, are the Eagles
a team that runs out of steam very quickly?
Week 3 at Kansas City
Chiefs …
This is perhaps the game that exposed the eagles and Chip
Kelly’s offense. Philadelphia faced off against their former coach, Andy Reid,
who was the winner of this match. He heads an undefeated Kansas City Chief team,
that are one of the 3-0 teams going into week 4.
Two things about this
match that makes the Eagles questionable…
1. Coaching: Why, why, why, did Chip Kelly
decide to go for a two point conversion early in the first after wide receiver
Avant made the first touchdown of the game for the Eagles??? The score was only
10-6! A point after would have served just fine, but my mind is still boggled
as to why they chose this route.
2. Kansas City Chiefs finished last in AFC West in 2012 with a 2-12 record. After making roster
upgrades and acquiring former Eagles coach Andy Reid, they are off to a start
that shows clear signs of improvement. Their defense really exposed the Chip
Kelly offense and left room for questions that Kelly is still in a college mind
state.
Finally…started from
week 1, now we’re here, week 4 at Denver Broncos, Sunday September 29, 2013
Although the Eagles have a 2-1 record, they are bouncing
back from a loss to the Chiefs and going into a game against the massively
dominant Peyton Manning and Denver Broncos. Denver has scored more points than
any NFL team this year (127). No other team has even 100 points! Peyton Manning
is perhaps better than ever in this record setting season. Philadelphia has
their work cut out and from what Chip Kelly has shown; he and his team are not
ready for this match with Denver on Sunday.
@nategrayzone picks: Broncos 39 Eagles 18.
Follow @nategrayzone
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