With the Giants 23-10 lose to the Redskins, Eagles had to take care of business to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, and that’s exactly what they did in a 45-19 rout of the New York Jets.
Tight End Brent Celek had by far his best game to date, only five catches but compiled a career-best 156 yards receiving. The defense was outstanding, applying pressure the whole game. Juqua Parker returned a fumble for a score, it was his second this season and third of his career. Jamar Chaney, he recorded his third interception of the season, off a deflected pass by cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie. It’s the most picks by an Eagles linebacker since William Thomas heisted three 15 years ago. Jason Babin, who seems like the best free agent pickup racked up three sacks and passed Jared Allen as the league leader in sacks with 18. He is just the third Eagle to record at least that many sacks in a season, joining Reggie White and Clyde Simmons. Babin is also the first Eagle to record three-plus sacks in back-to-back games and just the 10th player in NFL history to do so.
Birds came into the game struggling mightily at home, having gone 1-4 previous five games but all that didnt seem to matter against the Jets. Michael Vick, in just his second game back after missing three with broken ribs, finished with a 107 passer rating, threw for 274 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a score. LeSean McCoy ran for 102 yards and surpassed Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren with his 19th touchdown of the season and 16th rushing TD in the third quarter.
Eagles scored 21 points off turnovers en route to building a 28-0 lead, and didn’t let up after the Jets got within 28-13 at halftime. Mark Sanchez, who was outstanding during the Jets’ winning streak, completed 15 of 26 for 150 yards and two TDs. He was sacked four times and threw two interceptions.
“Every week is different in the NFL,” Reid said. “It depends on the team that you’re playing and the matchups. I know for sure that the guys will play hard and aggressive. I think they’re in the right frame of mind to do that.”
The win kept the Eagles undefeated in nine career meetings against the Jets and boosted their home record to 2-5 this year.
Next week Birds travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys, the same team they shredded 34-7 in Week 8. Question is, will that same Eagles team show up again in Dallas?
If the Jets beat the Giants (7-7), the Eagles (6-8) will need to beat the Cowboys (8-6), otherwise Dallas will clinch the NFC East. If the Giants beat the Jets, the Eagles are out of the playoffs all together, because their wild-card chances died with wins by the Lions and Falcons over the weekend.