A 13-13 tie.
Words could not describe the anger and confusion any Eagles fan could be feeling right now, just hours after a dismal showing by Philadelphia, as they fought (kind of) with Cincinnati to the bitter end.
Today's effort put forth by the Eagles was so bad that this actually feels like a loss—yes, it's that bad.
With that said, you can't take anything away from the Cincinnati Bengals. They really went out today with a spoiler's mentality and have thrown a giant monkey wrench into the Eagles' playoff hopes.
Throughout the week, all the talk was about how the Eagles' offense must come out, play with nastiness, and match the intensity of the opposition.
They did none of that.
On offense, Philly really never got on track, as they were inconsistent all game long. Donovan McNabb had his worst game of the season, throwing three hideous interceptions and missing numerous open receivers.
McNabb has played well this season, but let's take a long hard look at it: With the time that the offensive line gives him, how does he not put up 400 yards per game? Is it the receivers? Is it McNabb's inability to hit a receiver in stride consistently? Who knows, but Philly can't play like this next Sunday, as they have the tough task of dissecting the Baltimore Ravens' defense.
On the ground, the Eagles got stronger as the game wore on, and Brian Westbrook started to gash the Bengals for significant yards. But, as usual, Andy Reid refused to stick with the ground game and attack the league's fifth-ranked pass defense.
Why? Andy has such an infatuation with the pass game that he fails to recognize that his team is struggling to throw and forgets that he has a pretty good combo of running backs in Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter.
To add on to the bashing of Reid, here's a scenario: 2nd-and-1, following a nine-yard carry from Westbrook—pass play (incomplete); 3rd-and-1, ANOTHER pass play (incomplete).
Seriously, why does Reid continue to run such a horrible strategy that, week in and week out, fails?
Yes, the Eagles put up points. Yes, they put up a lot of yardage. But it's the little things that they do wrong, like missing the open man, or missing a block, or the usual horrible play call that have done them in during every loss they've had this year.
Defensively, the Eagles were strong, as usual. They sacked Ryan Fitzpatrick eight times and held Cedric Benson to a dismal 42 yards on 23 carries. They allowed some big plays in the pass game and made some mental mistakes, but in the end, they played well enough to win, despite the tie.
The defensive line of the Eagles was absolutely dominant; they controlled the line of scrimmage and kept Ryan Fitzpatick under heavy duress all game long.
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about 1 month ago
This game was a joke. I've never in my entire life seen two teams both try so hard to lose a game. It was unbelievable. This was the second time in my life that the Eagles tied on my birthday (1997, Ravens.)
from about 1 month ago
well maybe they should never play on your birthday again (Happy Birthday by the way). I agree on this game being a joke. TWICE! McNabb threw INT's with the Eagles in scoring position. Once again, Reid showed his stubbornness and continued to let the ball fly all over the field, please Andy, go away and stop dragging this team deeper into Mediocrity.
about 1 month ago
They slammed the door shut on the Reid/McNabb era... by ensuring a tie instead of risking a loss for a possible win by punting on 4th and 1.
The sad thing is Donovan did not even know that he was doing it, he did not know NFL games could end in ties. That is the just the tip of the iceberg.
To read more on this topic, I invite you:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/82565-philadelphia-eagles-go-for-tie-clip-wings-on-season/
about 1 month ago
November 16=bad karma for the Eagles. The Giants have to be elated right now as not only did they level the Ravens, they watched the Eagles tie and the Redskins lose to Dallas. The NFC East is a great division, but don't sell the NFC South short. The Panthers, Buccaneers and Falcons are all quality teams while the Broncos (thankfully!) are emerging in the AFC.
about 1 month ago
For the Bengals it was like kissing their sister...for the Eagles it was likie going all the way with her. They definitely got the worst of this tie.
about 1 month ago
This is the most outraged I ever been in my entire life for a regular-season game. A freaking tie. I am one of the biggest Reid supporters I know, but I think it is time for him to go. He is so stubborn and refuses to change his philosophies. That scenario that you mentioned - 9 yard run, 2 straight incompletions - epitomizes Reid. He refuses to run the ball, even when it is working.
We need a change. Gruden, Cowher, Charlie Manuel, someone else to coach this team. And Donovan McNabb is physically and mentally unable to perform in the clutch.
about 1 month ago
My thought was this: "Who the hell ties in football???"
about 1 month ago
This game ended exactly the way it should have, neither team actually deserved to tie. As a Bengals fan I'm not to mad, hey at least we didn't lose again. But as I can tell the Eagles fans are a little upset and they probably should be because I was expecting to see the Eagles completely dominate the Bengals but boy was I wrong.
about 1 month ago
dont try to put this on reid.
here is the lose-lose situation reid has been put in by fans.
3rd and 3 - run. 4th and 1 - run. doesnt work. WHY DID HE RUN?!?!?!?!
2nd and 1 - pass. 3rd and 1 - pass. doesnt work. WHY DID HE PASS?!?!?!
make up your minds people. if ya wanna complain that its just not working, then fine. thats on the players for not executing. but back the hell of the strategy, huh?
from about 1 month ago
how can I not put this one on Reid? When we were running the ball against the Bengals, the gains were progressivley increasing, against the Giants, it was being constantly snuffed out. when they were in the 3rd and 3 against the Giants....they had been shut down all game running= not the time to run....2 nd 1 against the Bengals and the run game is making some gashes and picking up solid yardage while throwing the ball on the leagues 5th ranked pass D wasn't working= great time to keep pounding.
from about 1 month ago
I hear ya. Valid point, sir.
But i think Reid has lost faith in the run game. I mean, the O-line has let him down, and so has Westbrook. I mean, do you trust them to get the short yards anymore? I know I dont. I dont know what's going on with the line, personally i think it's the fact that we have ZERO tight ends who can block. So really, the jumbo package is a liability in my eyes.
I think the solution is more Buck. He's EXTREMELY underrated and should be given starting time with Westbrook nicked up.
from about 1 month ago
i agree with the Buckhalter point. Against the Bengals defense I trust the ground game. Probably not against any other team. It's sad to see how little game time they give Buckhalter. He was once thought to be the back of the future. He looks great everytime they give him a solid share of the load.
from about 1 month ago
at least someone else sees that. it seems like he gets 1 play every week and LIGHTS IT UP.. then, we get to watch westbrook scamper for a yard or 2 while wincing in pain. come on.
from about 1 month ago
I'm sick of seeing this from westbrook.........run to the outside and slide or fall to the turf. He shows no heart in the game. He wanted all of that money in the offseason, and as predictable as it can be, he gets hurt, tries to play through it and shows no heart in the process.
about 1 month ago
I'm blaming everyone but the damn defense.
Get rid of Reid McNabb, Morningweig, Kolb, L.J. Smith, S. Andrews. I'm cleaning house and I'm starting over.
I don't know with when or with who but the philosophy of this team has to change.
about 1 month ago
Words can't even describe how I felt at the end of yesterday's game. The whole stadium just sat there in complete shock that they sat through 5 quarters of football only to see both teams walk off the field with a tie. This was one of the "for sure" wins the Eagles were supposed to have this season. There's no doubt in my mind this game will come back to haunt us in a few weeks when we're trying to get the Wild Card.
about 1 month ago
WILD CARD!?!!?!? WILD CARD?!?!?!? (Jim Mora's Voice)
from about 1 month ago
WE CANT EVEN WIN A GAME!!
HELL!
WE CANT EVEN LOSE A GAME!!
about 1 month ago
i was speachless, i didnt know how we basically lost to a 1-8 bengals team
about 1 month ago
It's just plain dumbfounding that we tied. Honeslty, I don't think the Bengals are that bad so I thought they could win this game, but this is worse. It's just like...yuck.
from about 1 month ago
Donovan McNabb better have the game of his life next sundat to gain my respect back. I've backed him for the past ten years and what he said yesterday just made me want to violently insert my foot in the TV.
from about 1 month ago
I've just stopped listening to him. I cannot stand the team anymore.
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