The disturbing trend of Philly's scoring drives

[jesusphreak]

Check this out:

1. Matt McBriar fumble leads to:

Brian Westbrook, 5 yd run (David Akers kick is good)
Drive info: 2 plays, 12 yds, 0:36

2. Drew Bledsoe fumble leads to:

David Akers 27 yd Field Goal
Drive info: 4 plays, 5 yds, 1:10

3. Deep pass to L.J. Smith leads to:

Donovan McNabb, 1 yd run (David Akers kick is good)
Drive info: 4 plays, 61 yds, 1:17

4. 80+ yard TD pass to Hank Baskett leads to:

Hank Baskett, 87 yd pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick is good)
Drive info: 1 plays, 87 yds, 0:00

5. 40-yard flea-flicker to Reggied Brown leads to:

Reggie Brown, 40 yd pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick is good)
Drive info: 4 plays, 76 yds, 2:01

6. 102-yard interception return for a TD by Lito Sheperd ends the game

Notice those stats: Philly didn't have a SINGLE scoring drive that lasted more than 4 plays.

Compared to our scoring drives:

10 plays, 5 plays, 12 plays, 11 plays, and the final drive before the interception was 12 plays - this also isn't including the drive where Bledsoe badly underthrew T.O. inside the 20 for the interception.

We sustained drives. The Eagles didn't have one sustained scoring drive. If the Cowboys didn't have complete mental lapses in the secondary by their safties, this game really isn't even close. This is both disappointing and hopeful to me. It means that we can drive the ball down the field, it also means that the defense kept Philly from doing so, unfortunately it means that a few mental mistakes cost us this game.

 

[theogt]

Sounds like the MO of this year's Cowboys team. Numerous mental mistakes cost us the game. We can't seem to get out of our own way.

 

[TobiasEagle77]

The thing is, it isn't just this game that the Eagles are making alot of big plays. McNabb has 29 plays of 20+ yards, and 7 of 40+ yards. Compare to his 2004 season, where he had 50 of 20+ and 20 of 40+

I can't put my finger on why, all I know is that the Eagles are a "big play" offense this year. I'm sure someone will suggest it's because we haven't faced much competition, but even considering that the numbers are staggering right now.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

notice 3 of those 6 scoring drives came off of Cowboy turnovers? give them the ball that often, and a good team like Philly is going to make you pay

or you could force 4 Philly TOs :bangs head:

 

[daniukid]

Great observation. We also had our chances for big plays but missed a few open receivers. Although that Ware return was awesome. I'm hopeful that Parcells and the team uses this as a learning experience and that we'll repay Philly in Dallas.

 

[jesusphreak]

Bump. It still amazes me how Philly had no sustained drives yesterday.