Red Zone Woes Doom Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles limped their way out west to face a surging Chargers team, where they just didn’t have enough to pull out a win. With the offensive line, secondary, and linebacking corps all dealing with injuries, a win in San Diego was not going to be easy. The Eagles were able to out gain the Chargers 462 yards to 331, but settled for field goals on three separate trips to the red zone.

More of the same from this Eagles team. Inability to score in the red zone, failing to convert on a 1st and goal from the one yard line. Just terrible execution in short yardage and in the short field. While the Chargers were busy putting up touchdowns, Andy Reid was busy sending in David Akers to put up three points. You cannot win in this league if you settle for field goals, and we saw why Sunday.

The defense, dealing with an array of injuries, were unable to keep the Chargers out of the end zone. Philip Rivers efficiently picked apart the Eagles defense, completing 20 of 25 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He was helped out by perennial Pro-Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who had his best game of 2009 Sunday. Tomlinson ran 24 times for 96 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to push the lead to 15.

Sheldon Brown left the game with an injured hamstring, leaving Asante Samuel as the only regular on the outside. No word on the extent of the injury, but with Ellis Hobbs lost for the season and Joselio Hanson serving a four-game suspension, the situation at cornerback is no bueno.

Who Played Well

Jason Avant- With just seven catches in his last six games, no one expected a huge showing from the Michigan alum on Sunday. Instead, Avant responded with a career game, hauling in eight passes for 156 yards. He was catching everything, including a drive-saving, one-handed circus catch in the second half. I’ve been surprised with his absence from the offense, but it looks like him and McNabb were on the same page all day Sunday.

Donovan McNabb- In the past few weeks, we have seen the bounce-balls-in-the-dirt McNabb. On Sunday, his accuracy was much improved, albeit not perfect. McNabb ended up throwing for 450 yards and two scores on a season-high 55 attempts. The red zone struggles cannot be entirely pinned on D-Mac, because the run game was stuffed on multiple occassions. He threw one interception and the Chargers dropped about three more. Overall, the offense was moving swiftly up and down the field, thanks in large part to the right arm of McNabb.

Moise Fokou- Starting in his second consecutive game, the rookie out of Maryland played very well. He was the leading tackler on the day with 12. There were a few seperate times where Fokou got great penetration into the backfield to stop Tomlinson. After two costly penalties in last week’s loss, this game was a marked improvement for the youngster. With the health of the linebacking corps still up in the air, Fokou could find himself an important part of the defense for the foreseeable future.

Who Didn’t Play Well

Trent Cole- Usually, I can live with the once-a-game offsides penalty on Cole. But when he only records one tackle (no sacks) on the day, those penalties are harder to swallow. He is likely to get a second consecutive Pro-Bowl bid, but not because of this game. Cole was offsides at least once Sunday, giving the Chargers offense a fresh set of downs. His play against the run is usually rock solid, but Cole was a non-factor in that department as well.

Asante Samuel- The other Pro Bowler on the Eagles defense also struggled Sunday. Samuel got burned by Legedu Naane for a 20-yard touchdown in the third quarter which put the game out of reach. He recorded only one tackle, and was visibly frustrated with his and the defense’s play. A tough game for the Eagles D and for Samuel, who need to come together in time for next Sunday’s primetime matchup in Chicago.

News and Notes

-Brian Westbrook left the game with another concussion. It pains me to say this, but Westbrook is likely done for 2009 and potentially beyond. Two successive concussions is never good, and my opinion is he will be shut down for the remainder of the season. With his injury history, limited production, and age, it is possible that we have seen the last of Westbrook in Eagles green. Sad, sad day.

-Prized left tackle Jason Peters was inactive with an ankle injury. His replacement, Todd Herremans, played well protecting McNabb’s blind side. But his move from left guard to tackle forced the Eagles to start Nick Cole at left guard and Stacy Andrews at right guard. Suffice it so say, the interior line play was miserable. The running game was non-existent, totaling just 29 yards. Hopefully Peters is able to come back next week.

Tags: Andy Reid, Asante Samuel, Brian Westbrook, Donovan McNabb, Jason Avant, Jason Peters, LaDainian Tomlinson, Moise Fokou, NFL, Nick Cole, Philadelphia Eagles, Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers, Stacy Andrews, Todd Herremans, Trent Cole