Eagles v. Buccaneers, Sunday, October 11, 2009

In attendance: not me! I’m in Orlando at a conference, so it was just Chef Spouse and Ex-Navy Cheesehead. Insult to injury? I only managed to watch the second half, due to conference responsibilities.

Menu: Chef Spouse tells me he made burgers and oven fries, and Ex-Navy Cheesehead brought us a bunch of fine tequila. Me? Green salad with salmon and club soda. Sigh. Conference.

Stud of the week: Jeremy Maclin, who had his first breakout game. Also AR, who’s now one of only 4 active coaches with 100 or more wins. Also DMac, who came back from a broken rib and a month off to post a nearly-perfect 157.2 passer rating. But I have to pick Maclin for the photo, since this is his first time.

So the good about the game is that we’re 3-1, second in the NFC East behind the Giants (more about them later), and we did what good teams are supposed to do: beat the teams we’re supposed to beat. Also, McNabb looked great – so great, in fact, that he was taken out about 1/2 way through the fourth quarter in favor of getting Vick some snaps. Some people (Bob Ford, I’m looking at you) complained that the offense was only effective while McNabb was on the field, so why are we wasting time with Vick? Um, I don’t know – maybe to see if he has anything left after two years in the pokey, when the outcome of the game has already been determined? Some people – and by that I mean Philly sportswriters – aren’t happy no matter what happens.

More good? Kolb has put in enough time that if Big 5 goes down again this season(which he won’t, knock wood), we’re not SOL. And we’re overloaded with talent on O. 6 guys with notable receptions yesterday? So much talent that Westy and Peanut were basically able to kick back all game? Are you familiar with the term “embarrassment of riches”? Because that’s us.

You want the bad? (you know there’s bad) How many penalties can one team commit in a game? I don’t know, but I think we were going for the record. Playing that sloppy against a team that’s now 0-5 won’t kill you, but try pulling that shit against the Giants, and we’ll be in BIG trouble.

Also, our defense was not brilliant against the Bucs yesterday. Sure, picks and sacks, but also unable to get off the field on 3rd down. Remember how we got bitch-slapped repeatedly by the Saints in week 2? In week 1, I thought the Panthers were a test, based on last year’s record, and that we passed with flying colors. That was before they proceeded to go 1-4. The Chiefs test no one, except, apparently, the Cowboys. Who are enjoying their annual meltdown a little on the early side.

And that is the big problem – are we making hay of our early soft schedule? We haven’t really been tested yet, other than by Saints, and we had a guy making his first start under center, so that’s a tough call, too (although I will point out that our special teams and defense gave K2 NO help whatsoever that week). And our schedule continues to be forgiving, with the Raiders next week and the rapidly imploding Redskins the week after. Our first real test will be against the aforementioned Giants on November 1. That will tell us a LOT about how the NFC East and potentially the post-season are likely to fall out.

My advice? Enjoy the wins now, and keep your fingers crossed.

Get the rest of the game recaps at Snarkin’ the NFL.