A Difficult Task

The Eagles are 3-6.  Their star quarterback Michael Vick is out with cracked ribs and their star wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is also injured.  Things really couldn't get any worse for the Eagles as they come off consecutive home losses to the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals.  Everything is stacked up against them and as they prepare for tonight's game against the New York Giants, and the only way to go is up; right?

Vince Young will make his first start as Eagles quarterback under the prime time lights of Sunday night football. Earlier this year against the Redskins, Young was 0 for 1 with an interception.  A lot of people are bad mouthing him and saying that he doesn't have what it takes to be successful in this league after that short outing.  Personally I think he will do just fine.  Young is very similar to Vick in that he can throw the ball and make plays on the ground.  I think changing over to Young is going to be a smooth and easy transition for this Eagles offense.

And while the Eagles will be without the services of Jeremy Maclin, I think that Brent Celek and Lesean McCoy are going to have monster games tonight.  With Vick out, Andy and this coaching staff have no excuse not to go to Lesean on the ground.  McCoy had 30 rushing attempts in the Eagles win over the Cowboys, but during the past two weeks he has gotten 14 and 16 attempts respectively.  Is there a strong correlation between running the ball and winning games?  The answer is obvious and McCoy needs at least 25 touches for the Birds to have any chance in this game.  And with Maclin out, I also see Brent Celek having increased targets and chances to make some plays.

Against the Giants earlier this year, the Eagles fell behind early.  But they battled back and held on to a 16-14 lead going into the fourth and final quarter.  In the fourth the Giants scored 15 unanswered points and went on to win the game by a final of 29-16.  Tonight the Eagles defense and offense have to play the entire 60 minutes.  A lot of experts highlight the fact that the Eagles are allowing so many points in the final quarter but they forget to mention the fact that the Eagles offense also goes to sleep in the most important quarter.  Both the defense and offense have to play the entire game tonight.

If the Eagles come out and throw the ball 3 times on their opening possession and go three and out, I might just lose it.  The Eagles have to go to McCoy and establish the run or they can say goodbye to their season.  The Eagles are up against the ropes, but a tough division win tonight could put some hope back into the hearts of Eagles fans.