Chip Kelly Admits Tonight's Game Is A Measuring Stick For Eagles
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Are the Philadelphia Eagles really Super Bowl contenders this year? It's the question we've been asking for months.
Well tonight on Monday night football, we will finally get some real insight into that question as the Eagles face a true-test on the road against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. It's only week two, but does the Eagles coach considering this a "measuring stick" game?
"Yeah, we do," Kelly told Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show on Monday. "We really do. We have a ton of respect for the colts and what they've done here in the last couple of years and then obviously to play a Monday night game on the road in a dome, the place will be hopping and it's going to be a big challenge for us."
Listen: Chip Kelly on the 94WIP Morning Show
Kelly, however, says the approach for a Monday night football game is no different than any other game.
"We try to approach every game we play like it's the biggest game of the year because when you only get so many opportunities to go out there it's a huge factor," Kelly said. "In this league, everything is so close that literally one game is the difference between getting into the playoffs and not getting into the playoffs."
In Luck, the Colts have one of the scariest offensive players in all of football. Luck is already a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback in only two NFL season, leading his team to the playoffs in each of those campaigns.
"I just think with Andrew, you get everything that you're looking for in a quarterback," Kelly said. "He's the prototypical size. He's six-four, he's 235-plus. He's extremely intelligent. He can make all the throws and the difference between Andrew and a lot of other players is, he can run. He runs a 4.6 [40-yard dash] and he can keep drives a lot and extend plays and beat people with his feet. He's proved it. He proved it at the college level and the two years he's been in the league he's proved it in the NFL. He's got the most comebacks for a quarterback in the first two years of his career. He's lead his team to the playoffs back to back seasons. You just turn the tape on, that's what impresses you. And then you get a chance to meet him, it's the same thing. He's one of the really, really, really good young football players in this league."
Listen: Reactions to Kelly's interview and Joe Conklin's Andrew Luck song
The Eagles and Colts wrap up a week in the NFL that has been overshadowed by a number of social issues, none larger than the Ray Rice domestic abuse situation. Kelly understands the importance of acknowledging these issues the league is dealing with.
"It's a huge issue what went on last week and it's not an issue just in football, it's an issue in society and I think that anybody that does block it out isn't doing it justice," Kelly explained. "I think it's something that needs to be addressed, but I also think that what we're doing preparing for the Colts doesn't---it doesn't effect our preparation for the Colts, but it's obviously something that needs to be addressed."
As for the game, Cataldi asked Kelly for a prediction.
"Eagles."
Score?
"I don't care about 10, one, six, five [points]," Kelly said. "A number is inconsequential to anybody."
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