Going with 24-13 Eagles, statement game for the defense. Ertz breaks out finally too.

Eagles are not yet an elite team. Hopefully we make the playoffs and have some run good, but this team isn't ready.

If eagles go even 2-2 cowboys have to run the table to win the division

Yeah, they're a good team, no doubt, but they're not ready to go up against the Packers and Seahawks of the world.

The question becomes how do they get there? No matter how solid Sanchez has played in general, I just don't see this being a great team with him at QB. Same with Foles (unless he somehow returns to last year's form). I suppose the offense can improve with better weapons around them (Losing Cooper would probably be addition by subtraction), but QB is where they really need a difference maker. I just don't see how they acquire one. Good QBs rarely make it to free agency so it comes down to the draft. Despite the speculation I doubt they would make a serious play for Mariota considering what the cost will be, so they would need to draft one with one of their first few picks and ideally hit with a Wilson type. That would then require them to commit to their young quarterback over a more experienced Sanchez / Foles, but if those guys are running the offense at an efficient level as we've seen in the past would they ever do such a thing? I have my doubts.

Other than that, they've got to improve defensively. If they can upgrade the secondary I could see them being a top 10 defense when accounting for the amount of time they're on the field. I just think that in the end, this team like most others will live and die by their quarterback and the current group just won't cut it when it matters most, imo.

As you alluded to, they're still in great shape to win the division regardless of today's outcome. Would have been really nice to get home field and a bye, though. The less elimination games you play the better, obv.

good post.

Great post, and man, what a ****ty time to need a franchise QB.

Would you trade the whole draft for Mariota? I'm thinking my answer is yes.

Would Oakland even do it? I mean, St. Louis got 3 first round picks to move down a few spots when Washington traded for RG3. We're probably picking in the mid 20's or later, so the cost will be even steeper. They'd need to include a couple future first rounders as well as some second and thirds and perhaps even a roster player.

Would I trade the farm for Mariota? I don't follow college football enough to really say, but if Chip and co. felt like he was the missing piece I would trust their judgement. It's a huge risk, though, and that can't be understated. As I said though, I really think this team needs a legitimately great QB to become an elite team, not just a system guy or game manager, so I'd be in favor of it I think all things considered.

I doubt Chip even considers Winston.

All they have to do is go 2-1 down the stretch and they win the division unless Dallas wins out. Not worried.

That's the other thing that sucks - an unfortunate consequence of 1. Chip being 1. Chip is that there are gonna be a lot of teams picking much higher than us with AIDS QB situations and an awful 2015 free agent class. If any of them are willing to sell the farm for Mariota too, man the price could get obscene. Obviously I don't see it happening at all, but I really do think Mariota/Chip could be what RG3/Shanahan was supposed to be.

A lesser fantasy: reclamation project RG3agles acquired at a discount if the Redskins somehow decide they're done with him.

Reality: Foles/Sanchez, some day 2/day 3 rookie vying for the starting job next year.

If Chip thinks Mariota is THE guy - and he'll know better than any of us - then I think he does what it takes to get him. If he believes with him it'll be BB+Brady 2.0 for the next 12 years... I mean that's priceless. Seriously though, imagine this team with an elite QB? Holy ****

I've theorized with friends over cocktails that Chip told Mariota to stay at Oregon this year because Foles had such a great year last year and that he'd do what it takes to get him in April, but thats just fun speculation..

Not sure if this is even "news" but in the world of not very shocking news: Next week's game was flexed to Sunday night.

I really did not expect the offense to be that bad. I didn't expect them to score a lot but thought they would be able to move the ball somewhat. This isn't the same as S.F. when the entire o-line was backups and they got shutout, they just couldn't do anything all game with everyone healthy for the most part. Chip sure did seem like he was terrified of having Sanchez throw the ball today. 1st half play calling was basically run on 1st and 2nd down then run a 3 yard route on 3rd and 5 and get tackled short of the sticks.

Defense was pretty impressive considering how many plays they were on the field for. Bottled up Lynch all game and kept them in it until late 4th quarter. Seattle's offense is kinda funny to watch. Their receivers are so bad they basically have 2 pass plays. Hit a quick seem route to Baldwin or have Wilson stand in the pocket for 4 seconds and then scramble around for awhile until he can find someone breaking free. Its kinda crazy he does that every week and hasn't gotten hurt yet.

Chip Kelly describes the Eagles performance against the Seahawks as "****ty"

They'll be fine. Slight overreaction to one game itt from some posts I read, even though they did get dominated by an elite defense. *And let's not forget the horrendous DPI call that gave Seattle a free 7 pts. The game might have played out differently with it only being a 3 pt deficit to overcome, but Seattle still deserved to win due to their domination on defense.

I see Sanchez bouncing back this week in a cake matchup. Our front 7 has some pretty damn good players on it, and I consider it elite even with the few weak links it has (Matthews for one, although he has been better as of late). As long as the front 7 gets pressure on Romo again, the secondary won't be exposed.

They'll obviously be dogs to Seattle/GB in the postseason, but anything can happen when it comes to the NFL playoffs. #1 priority for the offseason has got to be secondary help... So I'm not a fan of trading away a bunch of 1st round picks for Mariotta, but if Chip thinks it's correct I'll trust him (like other posters have stated).

Chip on Mariota - "He's a special young man and he's a hell of a football player and he deserves it."
"He's a special player and he's just got a gift for playing football."
"He's everything you want. He can throw the ball, he can run. He's the most talented kid I coached in college."
Rut Roh

keep talking **** about him national guys!! lol

I think he's going #1 overall but if he somehow fell to like 8th we'd have to trade our 1st(27th) + next years 1st + a 4th to move up that far going by Jimmy Johnson's draft pick value chart. I would do that in a nanosecond. Essentially Marcus Smith + Jaylen Watkins + swapping 1st. I actually agree with Kiper in that if like Tampa Bay drafts him I think there is a good chance he busts but I just cant see him failing with Chip in this system.

Pretty sure if the eagles never draft huff they have another win this year

Man cowboys have no pass rush. Wtf.

PLAN A: fail.

okay time for PLAN B:

beat lolskins saturday, root for colts sunday


****

Star performances tonight: huff, fletcher, Billy Davis, Sanchez, celek

Mark Sanchez ladies and gentlemen, guest starring Josh huff...go colts

All aboard the Mariota train!

sighhh

go colts?


took way too long for them to adjust defensively re: dez

Needing a QB sucks.

Regardless, super disappointed in the defense tonight. They've been playing so well as of late.

spotting a team 7 pts is never good.. still can't believe the opening kickoff

lots of big stops early negated by ticky tack fouls. the flags evened out by the end of the game though so I don't mean to complain about that

sanchize goes from meh to awful when the team is behind. if mariota isn't an option (seems like a stretch to me currently...) who else is an option? not a huge fan of going back to foles tbh