In the NFL, every game counts. With only 16 regular season games any week could be mean the difference between making the playoffs and going home at the start of the new year. That being said, anyone who says no one game is more important than the next is clueless. Just ask the Philadelphia Eagles.
As they prepare to take on the first-place Redskins on Sunday, the Eagles are looking to save their season. Michael Vick has thrown more interceptions during Philadelphia’s 1-4 start than he did all of last season when he took over as the starter. The Eagles are terrible against the rush, ranking 30th in the NFL. A defense that can’t stop the run and an offense that struggles protecting the ball is a perfect recipe for failure. That is precisely why Vick and company are looking to drop the “Dream Team” references and turn their season around.
Philadelphia fans are calling for Andy Reid’s head and understandably so. They expected a huge season with the splashes their team made in free agency and have gotten the exact opposite. Instead of getting into it with fans who are outside the stadium rallying for Reid to be fired, the Eagles need to protect their coach by executing on the field.
If that execution doesn’t start Sunday, Philadelphia will be finished. If the Eagles lose in Washington on Sunday, they would have to win nine of their last 10 games just to reach the 10-win mark. That isn’t going to happen. Not only that, but they would be allowing Washington to put a strangle-hold on the rest of the NFC East. In years past, it has been common for two wild card teams to come from the NFC East. With the way the Lions and Packers are playing, that isn’t going to happen this year.
Simply put: Sunday is gut check time for Vick and the Eagles. They need No. 7 to be more of a leader than he has been since taking the reins last season. That starts with protecting the football and giving the defense a break. Philadelphia’s defense needs to a do a better job, but they also need a rest every now and then. If the Eagles can control the clock and win the time of possession battle against Washington, they have a shot at a new lease on 2011.
