Gold Stars And Demerits: Eagles Vs. Washington
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – All alone in first place at the bye week, riding a three-game winning streak. This is the sort of stuff that dreams are made of. Admittedly, those are the dreams of a modest man, but dreams none the less.
The Eagles hit the bye week at 6-5, something most of us would have guessed would be impossible after the Cowboys and Giants disasters.
Gold Star - Chip Kelly
Can you imagine how electric the Eagles offense would be if the NFL hadn't already figured out Chip Kelly?! (that was written in sarcasm font).
It's worth noting how much space every Eagles offensive player finds themselves in when they are attempting to advance the ball up the field. It's a lot of the reason the Eagles have more 20+ yard plays than any team in the NFL.
Looks like it might not be a gimmick, eh?
Demerit - Kyle Shanahan
It's probably RG III's fault as much as it is Shanahan's, but talk about putting a guy in harm's way. One of the advantages to running the read options is getting the quarterback away from hits. Instead of him being a sitting duck in the pocket, getting him out in the open gives him a chance to avoid defenders. Not with Griffin, who seems to either choose, or be told to, run it right into trouble.
It's sad, but you have to wonder how many years of Griffin's career have been taken away because of the last two seasons.
Gold Star - Nick Foles
Another week of no turnovers for Foles, who still hasn't thrown an interception. Three-straight weeks with a quarterback rating of over 100 is not too shabby either.
Even Foles Haters Club members (I'm currently the president, even though I don't hate Foles), are impressed by how well the offense has run with Foles at the helm, and his ability to keep the ball out of harm's way. There's been some luck in that regard, but there always is.
Demerit - Nick Foles' Slide
Looks like he's been taking lessons from Michael Vick? It's less of a slide and more of a 'fall down.'
Gold Star - Connor Barwin
Six tackles, a sack, a pass knocked down (of which there seems to be one every week), and a fumble caused. Barwin was a beast on Sunday.
Demerit - Cary Williams
Not good at football.
