Hi friends,

You could just tell how the Eagles game was going to go last week vs. the Washington Redskins from the way the very first offensive play from scrimmage went. Rookie offensive right tackle Halapoulivati Vaitai looked like a revolving door as Ryan Kerrigan blew by him to sack rookie sensation quarterback Carson Wentz ripping his jersey to shreds. It was as ugly of a game and was extremely gut wrenching to watch along with all of our friends here in the Locker Room.

 After getting off to a great start with a 3-0 record the Eagles weaknesses were exposed and you can bet the rest of the NFL has taken notice. Two weeks in a row Jim Schwartz's defense that was dominant in the first 3 games got shredded (just like Wentz's jersey) and looked bad. Going into the game, Schwartz's defense was near the top of the league defending the run and the Redskins were at the bottom of the league in rushing. Guess what? The Skins gutted the Eagles by rushing for a staggering 230 yards - absolutely unacceptable! There was plenty of blame to go around for this loss and everyone had a hand in it starting with the coaches. I think maybe they should think about moving Barbre to right tackle and putting Wisniewski over at left guard if they want to keep the franchise QB Wentz in one piece. I believe Vaitai is going to be a good lineman but right now it's just too much to ask of a rookie. The offensive line problems are a result of former coach Chip Kelly's refusal to address the O line in the draft for two years in a row. THANKS CHIP........YOU FOOL!

On defense I'm not a fan of the wide nine look that Schwartz used way too much last week especially on obvious running downs. Adjustments better be made and made quick as the toughest part of our schedule is coming up with five very tough games in a row. Once again penalties destroyed the Eagles vs. the Redskins – 13 penalties is atrocious and you will not win many games if they continue to play undisciplined football! Special teams are the only unit that showed any sign of life last week and if it wasn't for the Wendell Smallwood runback for a score and the huge interception by Malcom Jenkins returned for a TD – this game would've looked even uglier!

You know my late, great Dad Shorty Long once wrote a novelty song titled "Cheer Up Things Could Be Worse - So I Cheered Up & Sure Enough Things Got Worse." I bring that up because of the Eagles task at hand with this week’s game against Sam Bradford and the only unbeaten team in the NFL – the Minnesota Vikings!

3 Things To Know About This Week’s Game

Week 7: Eagles vs. Vikings

1. I have been a BIG booster of QB Sam Bradford and I've taken a lot of flak for it but Sammy Sleeves is proving The "Hatchet" correct with his outstanding performance leading the unbeaten Vikes. You can bet that he would like nothing better than to come into the "Linc" and take it to his former team that shipped him out only 8 days before the season opener. It seems that the trade is a win/win for both teams though as the Eagles have themselves their QB of the future in #11 and Bradford is showing why he was once the first overall pick in the draft. He enters this game red hot with a QB rating of 109.7 with no interceptions. Make no mistake about it friends both QB'S are going to try and outshine each other this week which should provide us with a great game to watch. The Vikings with their top running back Adrian Peterson on the injured list rely on Jerick McKinnon & Matt Asiata to tote the rock. Just like last week the Eagles face two relatively average running backs and let's hope the defense does a lot better than they did last week. It won't be easy though as it looks like tackle Benny Logan will be out with a groin injury and Beau Allen will probably be his replacement. The Vikings have Stefon Diggs as their go to guy at wide receiver and he's a good one. He leads the team with 25 receptions and that is with missing a game two weeks ago. Their other wideouts are Adam Thielan &  Cordarelle Patterson. Kyle Rudolph is a very good tight end and the Eagles defense better be ready to brawl this Sunday and perform much better than they did vs. the Skins last week or the natives are going to get restless!

2. The Vikings defense is one of the best units in the entire NFL and will be a huge challenge for Carson Wentz & company as the Vikes boast a plus 11 turnover margin – best in the league. They are 2nd in the league at total yards allowed in a game at 287 & 5th in rushing yards allowed in a game at only 77.8. Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter & Brian Robison each have 4 sacks while safety Harrison Smith leads the Vikings with 40 tackles. Mychal Kendrick’s baby brother Eric has 37 tackles. It's going to be tough running against the Vikings but the Eagles have got to keep trying and I want to see more of Smallwood and Barner mixed along with Matthews and Sproles. In last week’s game neither Smallwood or Barner got a carry out of the backfield but Smallwood did get the TD on special teams. Tight end Zach Ertz dropped an easy pass last week that would have been an easy walk in touchdown to tie the game. Ertz is better than that and I look for him to rebound this week. Brent Celek will probably spend his time providing help for Vaitai again this week and let's hope with better success. Dorial Green Beckham continues to become more involved in the passing game and could be a go to guy this game. His size and speed are something that you can't teach and he provides a big target for Wentz especially in the red zone. Jordan Matthews is still our best wideout and Nelson Agholar has yet to live up to his potential as a first round pick although he came up with a big catch last week. 

3. HOMECOOKING!! The Eagles get a break this week as they play in the friendly confines of Lincoln Financial Field. Having the home crowd is HUGE for the Eagles as the crowd always gets them lathered up and that can make a difference. It's also helpful that the Eagles do not have to rely on the silent count as they did the previous two games in hostile territory. If you look at the teams stats or listen to the negative sports talk radio hosts, the Eagles don't stand much of a chance vs. the Vikings this week. Well, I for one do not deal in negatives in any facet of my life especially when it comes to the Eagles and I have a good feeling that the Eagles will get their 4th win this Sunday.

In some other happenings, "The Hatchet" received some really cool news this week as Budweiser, Bud Light and Vice Sports declared Barry "The Hatchet" Vagnoni and grandsons Griffin & Nick Klee's Eagles Locker Room as the #1 Man Cave. I'm thrilled beyond words and am so very honored. You can check out the story and view some photos of the Locker Room at https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/hall-of-fandom-top-fan-caves. I thank Budweiser and Vice Sports!

Well friends that will about do it for this week and check with me next week as I take a look at the game against the team I love to hate – those Dallas Cowboys! Fly Eagles Fly!