Eagles Get Shady on the Ground in SNF Win

“When will LeSean McCoy stop carrying the football like L.J. Smith?”

Those were my exact words to the Phoenix when Shady McCoy fumbled early in the fourth quarter as the Eagles looked headed towards another mind-numbing loss.  Ah, but they must play the full four quarters to finish a game. Good thing too because McCoy had a few more yards and a 10-yard touchdown run in him.

McCoy’s 20 carries for 99 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 5:38 left in regulation ruled the day as the Birds beat the Bears, 24-20 in futuristic Soldier Field on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. It was an ugly — but necessary — come-from-behind win for the Eagles, who kept pace with Dallas and New York in the division.

I’m not sure, but I think the last time McNabb led the team to a fourth quarter comeback win was the first T.O. game with Dallas in ‘06. If wins and fourth quarter comebacks are the stuff of legend, it must feel good for Five to finally take his team down the field when it counts.

But enough about McNabb and his 23-for-32 passing for 244 yards, two TD and one INT performance. This win was all about a willingness to get tough on the ground game. All told, the Andy Reid Run-and-Shoot West Coast Offense rushed it 30 times for 157 yards. (Not too shabby…) That’s called playing football. It has happened before (see ‘03 and ‘06 teams), and the absence of that balance has extremely hurt teams (see ‘05).

Chicago, meanwhile, passed it 43 times (gaining a mere 171 yards) and rushed the ball just 20 times (while gaining 126 yards). So the Bears actually managed more yards-per-rush (6.3) than passing (3.7). Ouch. It’s just proof that balance is the key to winning football in the NFL — something you will hear quite often if I decide to write about the Eagles more often.

Are we taking notes, Andy Reid?