Hi Friends,
Say it along with “The Hatchet"...the NFC East Champion Philadelphia Eagles! Sounds awesome, doesn't it? Clinching the division title vs. the Rams in a most thrilling game this past Sunday came at a very steep price though. The Eagles star QB and the front-runner for the MVP award Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending ACL injury on a run into the end zone during the 3rd quarter. To make matters worse, the touchdown was nullified on a penalty, although Wentz remained in the game and threw a touchdown pass moments later. But as the saying goes in all the history books: “We won the battle, but lost the war!” Make no mistake about it, the loss of Wentz is a crushing and devastating blow to the Eagles team as everyone knows Carson is not only an awesome QB, but also a great person as well as a great team leader. That being said, the Eagles have the luxury of having (in my opinion) the very best backup QB in all the NFL in Nick Foles and I think the team is going to rally behind Nick. I said it at the time when then-coach, the brash and snarly Chip Kelly, traded away Foles to the Rams that I didn't approve of the trade because all Foles did was win. Problem was it just so happened that he, along with all the other draft picks of the Andy Reid & Howie Roseman regime, were on Kelly's "hit list" and he got rid of them one by one.
Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Todd Herremans, Evan Mathis are some of the names that come to mind that "Clueless Chip" jettisoned out of Philly. I was asked this past offseason what my thoughts were about the Birds bringing back Foles as the backup QB and my response was that I loved it because, heaven forbid, if Wentz would happen to get injured, I knew that Foles could steer the ship! Well, it looks like this is Nick Foles’ team to lead once again, and I have all the faith in the world that he's the right choice to hold down the fort until Carson can get back under center. I know that this time around Foles has a way better supporting cast than ever before in his career and I feel he's gonna be just fine. I'm also praying that this wonderful young man Carson Wentz recovers and heals up to come back as good as new. He's going to be the face of the NFL for many years to come in my opinion.
Now that the Eagles won the East division title, their focus is on getting that home field advantage throughout the playoffs, where all of their opponents must come through Philly for any of the playoff games. That will be HUGE because we all know that the greatest fans of any sport in the world are the devoted and crazy Philadelphia Eagles fans that will pack the Lincoln Financial Stadium to cheer on our Eagles. Congratulations to the Eagles players and head coach Doug Pederson and staff on what's been a great year. And “The Hatchet" says...............The Best Is Yet To Come! In the words of the late great Tug McGraw: "You Gotta Believe!”
What To Look For In This Week's Game
1. No Support for Manning.
Back in the summer, every publication or TV report predicting the NFL teams records had the New York Giants finishing on top of the NFC East division and the majority had them being in the Super Bowl. Funny how life can throw you a curve ball! The injury bug not only hit the Giants, but it flat out punched the life out of them. Eli Manning is still a very good quarterback, and is taking most of the blame for the team’s misfortunes this year, but I don't care what QB you name, they are only as good as their supporting cast. In the Giants’ case, most of their key players are not a supporting cast, but in casts due to injury. Eli's main weapon and one of the league’s best wide receivers, Odell Beckham, Jr., has been hurt most of the year and you just can't replace his talent. Going into this week’s game against the Eagles, Manning will rely on second year wideout Sterling Sheppard and rookie tight end Evan Engram as his go-to guys. At running back, gone are the days when the Giants always had stud running backs like Brandon Jacobs, Tiki Barber, etc. Today it is rookie Wayne Gallman. Gallman did have a somewhat good game vs. the Cowboys gaining 59 yards on 12 carries. He also had 7 receptions for 40 yards. The Giants offense, though, is in shambles folks and are ranked 31st in all the NFL in scoring. In their last eight games, New York has scored just 17 points or fewer and it certainly is not going to get any easier this week against the Eagles. Last week, the Eagles defense got embarrassed somewhat and I have a good feeling that this week they are hungry and eager to make amends for that performance. That can't bode well for New York as Eli, while very tough, has never been accused of being elusive and the Eagles defensive front four will be hunting on Sunday. Eli threw two interceptions vs. the Cowboys last week, and I'm sure the Eagles secondary will be looking to top that number for sure. There is just nothing here for Manning to work with and I'd love to say I almost feel sorry for him but, quite honestly, I don't! I predict Eli will be looking to get out of this game in one piece so that he and his brother Peyton can get to playing golf while being able to still walk the 18 holes, or maybe Eli will be pitching insurance like his brother sooner than later!
2. The NY Offense is Gone Too.
Just like those great offenses from the Giants past being no longer in existence, the same can be said about New York's dominating defenses of yesteryear. This year’s version of Giants defense does not put the fear of God in too many offensive coordinators around the NFL. Like that old Four Tops song "It's The Same Old Song" goes. The injury bug has completely left the Giants defense sapped. To make matters worse, their starting safety Landon Collins left last week’s game with a bad ankle and he is not expected to be able to go this week. In last week’s game, the Giants held Dem Boyz close in the early going and the game was tied at 10 going into the fourth quarter. The wheels sort of fell off of New York's defense though as the Cowboys scored 20 of its 30 points in the final 8 minutes of the game. It was the big play that got the Giants reeling with Cole Beasley ripping off a 54-yard run after the catch while reserve running back Rod Smith gashed New York with a 81-yard TD catch and run. Even without Carson Wentz under center, this Eagles team is loaded at the skill positions and Nick Foles will have more weapons than he's ever had and I look for the Birds to explode on Sunday on offense. Did I just say BIG PLAYS? Look for a lot of Jay Ajaiy, LeGarrette Blount, Corey Clement out of the backfield and the returning Zach Ertz, Alshon Jefferey, Torrey Smith & Nelson Agholar to rally around Nick Foles and light up that scoreboard.
3. A Fine Time for Foles.
Well folks, the Eagles are entering into strange territory as this will be the first game having to go without their undisputed leader Carson Wentz. Now we will see just what kind of character and leadership we have on this roster because even though they clinched the division title, the team wants to have that home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Coach Doug Pederson and his staff are going to have to get this team ready and drive home the point that they are in a great position to get to that big game in February. Like Pederson said in his press conference on Monday, maybe it's time to rally the troops. It sure is the time to do it because it would be a shame to get this far to let this opportunity slip away. I know that Nick Foles is a leader and he has the respect of his teammates, and make no mistake about it, he is now the captain of this ship; he is the leader. I have a very good feeling about where it's going to end up docking sometime in early February. Do they even have docks in Minnesota?
Well, that's it for this week, but check back with me next Thursday as I take a look back at this Giants game and also take a look ahead to the next opponent on Christmas evening: the Los Angeles Raiders!
Until then as always I wish you...
Love, Luck, Lollipops & Linguini,
Barry "The Hatchet" Vagnoni
