Eagles-3

Despite the poor records, this is a vital game for the Eagles and Redskins, as well as the Giants for that matter. The Eagles luckily catch the Skins at home tonight at the Linc in Philadelphia. Bradford has been a mixed bag, Cousins has been a mixed bag, hell we can say that for this entire division. Strangely enough, if that bag comes up on the good side, whoever makes the postseason could steal a game. I could see the Redskins winning their first round game at home, with the odds and world stacked against them. The Redskins have to win the NFC East first, though.

This is one of the most important games of Sam Bradford’s career. For a guy that has been around for as long as he has, Bradford hasn’t faced a pressure spot like this since he played at Oklahoma. Bob Stoops and Oklahoma haven’t exactly excelled when the pressure is on. We’ll see how they manage in the college football playoff against Clemson, but the Sooners didn’t have that killer instinct with Bradford at the helm, despite a highly successful college career. Braford isn’t the only guy with pressure on him in this game, I think Chip Kelly is feeling it as well. Kelly is just about this game away from getting fired and heading back to college. Not making the postseason here would jeopardize his future plans in the NFL undoubtedly. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. Now to the winner

This game essentially comes down to the quarterbacks. You can say that for a lot of games of course, but it feels like every game comes down to how Sam Bradford did. More often than not, he has done the Eagles a disservice by starting. I thought Bradford was going to be a good fit for the Chip Kelly offense. I think Kelly was thinking the same when he brought him over. Bradford was competent enough to handle the no-huddle fast faced offense over at Oklahoma, but he has had difficulties in Philadelphia. Maybe he just isn’t a good quarterback? Bradford has passed for 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. I think that is just what he is, an average quarterback. Some days he will come to play, but you cannot count on that happening routinely.

DeMarco Murray has been floating in the water without a rudder in Philadelphia. He doesn’t look like he wants to be there, he isn’t playing hard, and consequently is seeing more of the bench than he is the field. Like Bradford, the offense has just been mediocre as a unit. They are 15th in the NFL in yards per game and are averaging only 22.7 points per game. However, the Redskins are behind them in 21st. I noted earlier how the Eagles are lucky they are catching the Skins at home, and it is for good reason. Washington is 1-5 on the road this season, their only win coming against the Chicago Bears. The Redskins took the first meeting 23-20 in Washington. I foresee a split happening. Eagles take this one by 6 or so.