I remember a defense last year in the playoffs getting stomped on throughout the first half, allowing several 8 minute drives before tightening up in the second and dominating a very good offense for the final 30 minutes. Sure, you could say that that offense just "beat themselves", rather than the opposing defense actually stopping them, since that offense's reliable #2 receiver dropped some huge passes - but that performance is widely regarded as great, gutty, and eventually led to a superbowl championship.
But when our defense does almost essentially the same thing, it's evidence that the head coach needs fired, the defensive coordinator needs fired, and the system needs blown up. The defense didn't "tighten up" you say. The Eagles just beat themselves, dropping passes and missing receivers. Forget that McNabb was running for his life, which frazzles any quarterback. Forget that his escape acts OBVIOUSLY drained him of energy and it showed in his performance on the field. Forget that the defense only allowed 7 yards per pass and 3.4 yards per rush for the entire game.
Wade needs fired. The unwashed masses have spoken.
