Philadelphia Eagles Blown Out By Cincinnati Bengals 32-14

Before I start with the analysis, let me apologize for not writing this and submitting it on time. When stuff happens and your team gets blown out, it is easy to have writers block. Not to mention I have begun watching shows on Netflix and Hulu so that has been occupying my time. Because of my personal opinions on my team's quarterback, there will be very little blame placed on him because he is a rookie and because the team was put in such a terrible spot to begin the game. When you get tons of pressure in your face, your line doesn't block, your teams gets down late in the game and a fifth of your passes get blocked at the line of scrimmage, it kind of makes sense that you will be throwing interceptions. This coaching staff has failed the quarterback as well as the defense, which had tons of trouble getting off the field.

The Cincinnati Bengals played amazingly in the game when it mattered. The first three quarters, their offense clicked in the passing game, especially when the Eagles did so well stopping their runs. Their third down game was probably the most impressive as for the first half, the Bengals never punted. Andy Dalton and the Bengals offensive line deserves all of the credit as he did the job without his best wide receiver, A.J. Green. Their offense was placed in many third and long situations, but the Eagles proved that they were unable to get to Dalton and he made them pay. I believe by the end of the game, the veteran quarterback had three touchdowns and no interceptions in one of the better games that he has played all season.

And while the Bengals offense played well, their defense played better. They did the job in pressuring rookie quarterback, Carson Wentz. They tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage multiple times and ended up getting three interceptions. Two because the line was able to pressure Wentz and one because the rookie made a bad throw down the middle intended for Ertz. I didn't like the throw, but when your team is down by over 20 points in the fourth quarter, you gotta make something happen. The Eagles running game was nullified early in the game and the team got down by so many points, it made the Bengals job on defense really easy as there would be a pass almost every time. Heck, Carson Wentz had so many tipped passes that he caught his own pass and ran for like five yards.

I don't want to make this all gloom and doom, I actually want to congratulate a player on the team. That player is rookie sensation, Paul Turner. I believe the rookie free agent caught every ball that hit him in the hands and without veteran receiver, Jordan Matthews and an injury in the game to Dorial Green-Beckham, the young receiver got a lot of targets. I would like to see him worked into the offense because he has talent, he catches passes and he doesn't give up on balls. During a rebuilding season, I don't care about wins and losses, I care about trying your best and having heart and it has become a theme in December that this team lacks heart. I am especially disappointed by the mindless penalties of helmet to helmet hits, horse collar tackles, and late hits out of bounds. That shows a lack of focus and an increase in frustration. I am also extremely disappointed when veteran players almost purposely miss blocks on other players because it shows a lack of trying. I also liked the way that the defense fought back late in the game by holding the Bengals to punts and two fumble recoveries, however, the offense was only able to score after the first fumble recovery. These were the only bright spots the defense showed all game.

I don't expect this team to win every game, I don't care if they end up being 5-11 during a rebuilding year where the team obviously lacks talent at certain positions. I'll tell you what makes me upset during it all, players who have shown time and time again that they are playing for a paycheck. I would much rather see players at the bottom of the depth chart come in and play their hearts off, then see overrated veterans disgrace the wings like they have been doing for weeks and years. There, somebody had to say it and I am especially looking at those players that were selected by former head coach Chip Kelly. Thanks to him and his "diligence", the Eagles have a lot of finesse and talented players that are just plain lazy and do not come to play when their number is called.

Andy Dalton evades Eagles tacklers in his team's victory

Philadelphia Eagles Stuffed By Green Bay Packers 27-13

In all ways, shapes and forms, this was the worst game that the Eagles have played in all season. The Packers were coming in with 4 wins to their name after hard losses to the Titans and Falcons in recent weeks, so I expected the Eagles to have a decent game against a defense with a depleted backfield. The Eagles on the other hand recently deactivated struggling receiver Nelson Agholor and activated Practice Squad receiver Paul Turner. This would be a good test for Carson Wentz, as well as the defensive line as the Packers were a very injured team.

The game, however, started out in the Packers favor and they never lost the lead. Aaron Rodgers looked like the savvy veteran he always looks like against the Eagles and many of his passes appeared to magnetically hit his receiver in the hands. The Packers really didn't run the ball effectively as I believe their leading rusher was Aaron Rodgers. The guy still has it, at least against the Eagles as he was able to go for two passing touchdowns to Davante Adams on the first and second drives. Aaron Rodgers with his turtle screens and short passes seemed unbeatable as the Eagles rarely had a single answer for the Packers offense.

The Eagles offense started out well with Carson Wentz being perfect in passing on his first drive, ending the drive with his first rushing touchdown of the season. I thought he played decently in the first half as he got the Eagles out of a lot of 3rd and long situations. However, the Eagles were unable to add an equalizing touchdown in the second quarter after Wentz threw a pass to Bryce Treggs while the receiver was being interfered with. The officials didn't call holding or pass interference even though I thought they should have. Wentz's lone mistake was an over the middle shot to Zach Ertz that was intercepted by Packers Safety, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix. Wentz also was able to target Dorial Green-Beckham and Jordan Matthews a lot in the first half, but after Jordan got injured, the Eagles attack was basically nullified in the longer passing game.

With running back Ryan Mathews out of the game, the Eagles relied on Sproles, Barner, and Smallwood to carry the load. Smallwood actually was playing well in the game, but he was hampered by poor play calling. The Eagles had a chance to extend drives while running the football, but they lost their edge when they relied on the passing game with injured receivers. The Packers had only six drives, as did the Eagles as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense was able to lead long drives that spanned over ten plays. When that happens, coupled with roughing the passer, off-sides, and holding calls, it really does a number on the team.

The offensive line really didn't do Carson Wentz very many favors as he was pressured with four guys often and there were a lot of times in which holding and false-starts occurred, which kept the Eagles out of good position to convert drives. The lone bright spot on the Eagles team continues to be Caleb Stugis, as he was able to hit two field goals from very long distance. Sturgis was able to keep the Eagles in the game, but bad play calls and penalties kept them out of good position. The game was 17-13 at one point, but the Eagles defenders were unable to disrupt the Packers short passing attack and Aaron Rodgers had his was with the Eagles like he always does. It makes me question the coaching staff sometimes until I remember that this is a rebuilding football team with five wins in eleven games, which was far better than I expected. I know this was a very short recap, but to be honest, the game went by so fast that not even the annoying commercials could make it long enough to fill a three hour time slot.

I congratulate the Packers on their win even though some of the penalties made me a little salty. I am not as salty as I was after the Lions game, but I do question the officials when the Eagles defensive line are held a lot, the receivers are held even more, and it seems like Dorial Green-Beckham cannot even block on screen plays without getting called for offensive pass interference, when I see other teams get away with the same thing. Then I realize that it was probably karma for pushing that woman down the stairs. I am very disappointed in this team and I am merely hoping to see improvement throughout the season as the playoffs seem to be a lost cause with this team.

Aaron Rodgers with poise against the Philadelphia Eagles