Are the Eagles Just Unlucky?

by Behan01 on Nov 13, 2008 12:52 PM EST Comment 11 comments

The Eagles currently sit near the top of many statistical tables, including most advanced metrics. They are second in overall DVOA, and in the top ten on both offense and defense. They are third in the league in point differential, and are in the top ten in both points scored and surrendered per game. Footballoutsiders predicts that, based on their numbers and schedule, they would average 6.6 wins.

We all know the results aren't there. The question is why? The answer may be that they are just unlucky.

One argument that the Eagles are unlucky is that opposing kickers are eating them alive. Opposing kickers have hit 100% of their field goals against the Eagles. Only the Steelers and Ravens have that same problem. Unlike those teams, opposing kickers are an amazing 4/4 from 50+ against the Eagles, 9/9 from 40+.

The other traditional luck argument is recovering fumbles. The Eagles are actually having a good year recovering fumbles, recovering half of their offensive or special teams fumbles (4 of 8) and 7 of the 10 fumbles the defense has caused.

The kicking thing is certainly weird, but can that alone account for the Eagles underperforming their metrics?

By the way, this site notes that the Eagles were one of the unluckiest teams last seasons:

http://www.advancednflstats.com/2008/01/luckiest-teams-2007.html

The other interesting questions:

Is this just prolonged bad luck, or is there something about this team that brings the bad luck upon these Eagles? Have they angered the football gods, is Andy just a mush now?

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That kicking issue has been happening for a while now

Its seemed that everytime an opposing kicker lines up you just know he’s going to hit it

I actually even felt that way whilt Matt Bryant was lining up in 06

Billy Penn who?

by 700 Level on Nov 13, 2008 12:59 PM EST reply actions

Matt Bryant
AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH

by cavortingEagle on Nov 13, 2008 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

that was awful...

absolutely awful…62 yards? that stuff ruins seasons

by damonmoore43 on Nov 13, 2008 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

man… what I wouldn’t give to have someone pull some Tanya Harding shit on him… I’ll supply the lead pipe…

World F*ckin' Champions, indeed...

by foos05 on Nov 13, 2008 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

that could have turned the season around for us...you never know...

man, i was going crazy when westbrook shook all them defenders and scored! crazy! ronde had returned 2 of mcnabb’s passes for TDs. but that second half was a thing of beauty.

and yet another instance where McNabb lost his lunch.

any conspiracy theorists out there? McNabb threw up in Jacksonville in a regular season game too…..where he single-handedly almost won the game…(we lost by two)

anyone remember that game?

by damonmoore43 on Nov 13, 2008 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, sometimes playing in warm, very humid conditions after running a lot or throwing a superbowl record number of pass attempts, McNabb sometimes vomits.

(What I mean by this, is I think the “McNabb vomiting” meme is a little overdone.)

I wonder if I can bill Jeff Lurie and Peter Angelos for the years of therapy their teams are going to put me through.

by BrianS on Nov 13, 2008 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

McNabb threw up? Does he have the flu? I hope he’s ready to go… He’s going to be big against the Bengals!

World F*ckin' Champions, indeed...

by foos05 on Nov 13, 2008 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t know. I heard a rumor that he threw up once!

I wonder if I can bill Jeff Lurie and Peter Angelos for the years of therapy their teams are going to put me through.

by BrianS on Nov 13, 2008 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

Things that are unlucky:

-Fumbling on the 30 yard line in the Dallas game after we march down the field with ease to put the game out of reach for the cowboys.
-LJ Smith getting healthy again
-The eagles playing on grass instead of AstroTurf. It Eli was wearing turf shoes his cleat wouldn’t have been behind the “Adjusted” red line.
-Westbrook falling on Tra Thomas’ leg and twisting his ankle. Out for 2-3 weeks.
-Andrews Out for season with Back spasms.
-Lito hiring Rosenasshole as his agent
-Andy Ried finding a piece of Candy in his pocket, and forgetting we can’t run the ball while he enjoyed chocolate nougat instead of a winning TD drive.
-Girl flashing DJaxs as he ran into the end zone. DJax is so memorized by the headlights he forgets he has the ball.

by Clyde Simmons on Nov 13, 2008 2:08 PM EST reply actions