With a 4-7 record, the Seattle Seahawks are playing for just about the same thing the Eagles are. With San Francisco storming out to a 9-2 start, the Seahawks are all but out of the playoffs. However, their surprising defense is not the reason why.
Before Sunday, the Seahawks went seven straight weeks without allowing a rushing touchdown. In that stretch they only allowed two 100 yard rushing games. Only one of those was by a single running back, the other was by a combination of two backs.
The Seahawks, while dominating the run against many teams, have not faired particularly well against the NFC East. Their first game came against the Giants in week 5 and they only allowed 61 rushing yards to New York’s running backs. In week 9, DeMarco Murray ran for his second 100 yard game in three weeks. With 139 yards, Murray averaged 6.3 yards per rush. Last week, the Redskins running backs combined for 111 yards and one touchdown in the comeback win. Roy Helu, who averaged under 25 yards per game entering Sunday’s game, ran for 108 yards and his first touchdown of the year.
LeSean McCoy remains as the only NFC East running back to not face the Seahawks defense this year, and he will get his chance on Thursday night. Allowing 107.3 yards to NFC East running backs, McCoy could be poised for a comeback game after only running ten times in Sunday’s blowout loss at the hands of Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Quarterback Michael Vick is set to be out again. DeSean Jackson has been underachieving, Jeremy Maclin has been injured, Jason Avant is dropping footballs, and Brent Celek is just starting to see more come his way. With the Eagles usually potent offense nowhere to be found, it is a wonder why Shady does not have 25 carries a game and eleven 100 yard rushing games.
Andy Reid has never been a running coach. But with fans chanting for his firing – that he supposedly didn’t hear – and assistant coaches fighting on the sidelines over calling too many pass plays, maybe it is time to run the ball more than ten times if Andy hopes to keep his job past the 2011 season.
After rushing for just 31 yards Sunday, McCoy is under 100 rushing yards per game for the first time of the season. He remains number one in touchdowns, rushing yards, and first downs.
Seattle ranks in the bottom ten in almost all important offensive categories. However, it never hurts to keep an offense off the field as the Eagles failed to do last week. Time of possession is the most important statistic in the game and running the ball is one of the best ways to control the clock.
Another important statistic, as the Eagles are very well aware, is the turnover battle. The Eagles are -9 in turnover differential, and the running back 
has nothing to do with that. He has yet to turn the ball over and from what I’ve seen, he doesn’t play much defense.
The fact of the matter is, Eagles fans really have no reason to watch the final 5 games but for individuals. McCoy is, by far, the best player on the Eagles 2011 squad. He is still on pace to break Eagles records and is a shoo-in for his first Pro Bowl.
In a season full of disappointment and underachieving, the Eagles have one player who isn’t complaining about money, touches, or throwing teammates under the bus. And that player is the one who is playing the best and putting together a career year. Keep feeding Shady the ball; he’s the only player on offense who does anything productive with it.
So the question going into Thursday night’s game will be focused on McCoy and how the Eagles will use him. Will they give McCoy a chance to make a major contribution or will they put the ball into the hand of Young and have him throwing the ball all over the place.
They will probably be slinging the ball all over the place as usual. Why should this week be any different?
And I’ve read that, for some reason, we’ll be starting VY again even though this season is over and he will not be on the team next year. Predictions: 19 of 39 for 188 and 2 ints and absolutely nothing learned. So we’ve got that to look forward to. Makes sense.
I have a feeling we’ll be seeing less and less of DJax as the season progresses.
Hopefully Samuel might get a couple picks against Tavaris and keep his profile high for a trade to Detroit at next year’s draft.
I have a better question! How many fans want the team to come out and win tonight? While I don’t think it will happen but if the Eagles finish 8-8 there will be some who want Reid back to give a fighting chance next year! I hate hoping for the birds to lose but I am sick to my stomach with this coaching staff! We have one of the top backs in the league! I was ok with the McNabb trade I just thought Reid should have left with him! IMO they were a team! For anyone who thinks that Reid will pull a Cowher and get a championship after all is crazy! BTW please don’t even think of bringing him here! Way overratted! Think about this the Steeler organization is a tough minded defense team, first! Tomlin took that team to a championship after his first yr.!
I will stop there this whole situation has me mentally drained!!!!!!!!!
Eagle 32 = man rule #2 – at all times a man will give 100% effort to his god, his family, his job, and his teamates –
what kind of men would we be if we expect the players and coaches to give 100% (and will bitch if they don’t) and we as fans fold tents because ‘we are mentally drained’ or ‘sick to our stomachs’ time to man up – go drink a miller lite and get ready to win tommorrow – I will consider this a momentary slip on your part, its OK to have have them – just get back in the saddle and ride hard – we go 100% for the birds to win – let the football gods worry about the rest –
man rule #15 – do not covet anything another man has – be your own man – don;t care what other team has what other trophy – doesn’t matter – you look weak, feeble, petty and small as a man if you comment on how you don’t have somehting someone else has – the ONLY 3 exceptions to this rule – it is perfectly acceptable to tell another man (or lesbian) that his (or her) significant other is the 2nd hottest chick in the room (if your significant other is in ear shot) or similar compliment and to admire classic US muscle cars – and dogs that are in the hunting, working or sporting breeds –
Jake – that means it is BAD to admire the little old lady down the streets maltipoo that she carries in a baby carriage – BAD – get that
Just havin fun Eag – always – the eagles are going to win – always – let the chips fall where they may
I still covet Elle McPherson circa 1985/86. Can’t help it.
Sources of mine down in Atlanta have told me the Eagles are talking to Jim Mora Jr … stay tuned for details..
Seahawks QB T Jackson may not even play Thursday due to injured Pectoral Muscle, so don’t be surprised if the Charlie Whitehurst becomes the next no-name QB to have his Career Best NFL Game on National TV versus this Eagle Defense..
Seahawks 24 – Eagles 16 in a sloppy played game filled with penalties,turnovers and shoddy play by both teams.. Another who-cares match-up for a Prime-Time Game by the NFL.. ..
Final Complelling Stat of the Game —
Seahwaks 3-4 in the Red-Zone
Eagles 1-6 in the Red-Zone..
No need to say more…
And Earl Thomas will pick off VY twice as the ultimate “you shoulda drafted me when you had the chance.”
yeah bugsy – still waiting for the DJAX – look, you all passed on me and now I get to audition for a 25 million dollar payday – here is my chance to shine – moment
Navy I try my best not to post anything because I really don’t have time proof read and make sure my words are not taken out content and other BS! I respect everyones opinion on this site! I don’t always agree but your opinion is yours! If you are not frustrated with not winning a superbowl then that’s your decision! My loyalty will alway reside with winning when it comes to the birds! The question was more related to reality! My heart wants us to win out my head just says other wise. Keep your thoughts about me as a fan or man to the regulars on here! I’m not on the site for that! I was just MY OPINION!
Chill Eagle – just busting stones – really – try not to post – must keep finger from keyboard – must stop watching – can’t stop typing – OMG ahh…
no dude – I will post whatever I want – whenever I want – that simple – man rule # 19 (teach this one to your kids) – once you put it on the internet – its out there – you have no control – try not to be such a pussy next time
Navy do you even know what pussy is? It’s obvious you don’t get any! Look man stick to talking about the birds! You look like an ass taking verbal shots and giving advice! That’s real talk!
Well Eagle – I didn’t, then when I was at school – a training officer offered me a chance to go to this place called the Phillipines – I had heard about this place – read about this place – but now, I was actually going. I was a littel intimidated at first – the San Miguel beer – the currency exchange rate – but the momason – she was very understanding ………………..
really – you want to talk about how many fans want the eagles to win – really – oh – I am just so conflicted, I consulted my tarot card ready and she said the eagles will win 24-4 – I didn’t think she understood you cant score 4 points, but she assured me that the eagles will have a punt blocked out the back of the end zone and Vick will get an intentional grounding in the end zone wow!
I then called the pyshcic hotline – they predicted that if the eagles win this – they will finsih the year 8-8 and botht he guants and cowboys will have meltdowns and the eagles will win the NFC East – blew me away
Then I had my palm read – they said I had a strong – you get lots of pussy line – whatever that is – and they predicted a boring 6-3 win for the seahawks –
I asked – but should I cheer for the eagles – the guy looks at me and asks if I was an eagle fan – I said hell ya – then he said why you asking me that – quit being such a lame little tool, man up, and go cheer the eagles on!
That help?
Eagle – in all seriousness – I am messing around. Playing. Having some fun – hurl some insults back – make them funny – the usual cast of lame characters are taking the day off
awesome…Andy will pull a Constanza and do the opposite to fool everyone….. he will run McCoy 30 times….
this is the nate allen – earl thomas bowl . and i am guessing grahm wont be participating!
@nev856 – good chance to see Thomas..
Take a good look at 3 players on Seattle’s Team …
Safety Earl Thomas over Safety Nate Allen (Eagles could have then used that 2nd Round Pick on another position, perhaps a OL or LB or DT)
DE Chris Clemmons over DE Darryl Tapp (Then their was no need to Draft Graham or sign Babin)
LB KJ Wright over LB C Matthews (Wright plays MLB,Chaney at Will spot)
These simple 3 Player Moves could have made a big difference in this Eagle Defense… This Eagle Franchise needs a real GM with the ability to evaluate talent and how is translates to the NFL game from College and how it fits a need and improves the overall quality of the Eagles Roster. GM Roseman has little idea of what to do and is a joke in my opinion and compound this with the Coaching deficiencies and play-calling of Coach AR & MM,and with no real DC, this Team is doomed from fututre success in my opinion…
paul playing 20/20 hindsight ‘pickem’….
Navy, Man rule #69- Work hard, drink harder, & lay the wood hardest. BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Hey my old lady don’t complain!
LMAO @ NAVY…….but the momasan
SHE WAS VERY UNDERSTANDING
Classic !!!!
Wow – flashback – what the momanson and young ladies call you (this is like the mid to late 80’s was cherry boy – ‘Hey cherry boy – you first time’ I had forgotten that – but now – Jakey poo from here forward will be cherry boy
and the beer – not the decent San Miguel you can get here – they used formaldehide (sp) to preserve it so you could not drink the last little bit – and then not really sure what type are carne they were grilling on those sticks on the walk back –