After the Eagles lost to the lowly Oakland Raiders on Sunday, many fans and analysts simply gave up on the team. Of course, Philadelphia should have won the contest, considering their explosive offense and dominant defense, compared to the weak forces of the Raiders. However, the Black and Silver were clearly the more prepared team in the game, and came away with a victory that, quite frankly, they earned and deserved for their determined performance. Despite the Eagles’ embarrassing crumble, there is plenty of reason to relax. Obviously, there is also reason to worry, but I have taken some time to evaluate both theories in a quick early-week read meant to at least delay the time we face until the next Birds game:

Why We Should be Worried

• Coaching: As much as Andy Reid should be respected as the Eagles’ longtime staff leader and achiever of multiple playoff appearances, there were quite a few moments in the game when Reid’s decisions were questionable. The base idea to establish a running game only appeared late in the second half, hence QB Donovan McNabb heaving up over 40 passes. This shouldn’t have to happen in games, as McNabb will tire easier, and the offense will become one-dimensional. Another poor call by Reid came in the final minutes of the game, when he ordered for a timeout with the clock reading 2:02. This was the Eagles’ final timeout, and with the 2-minute warning (a clock-stopper) approaching, there was little reason to stop the game clock manually. It would give the team one less chance to save the game as a result.
• Raiders. This is the biggest point: The Eagles played the Raiders. The Raiders that entered the game with a 1-4 record. The Raiders that entered the game ranked worst in the league in both offensive and defensive production. The Raiders that lost the week before by a score of 44-6. Sure, anything can happen in the NFL, but logically, the Eagles had plenty of advantages over the Raiders, and failed to utilize them as benefits.
• Offensive Line. The base of the offense that drives both the running and passing attack was clearly a mess on Sunday. Allowing 6 sacks and almost constant pressure on McNabb, the starting front played arguably the worst against the Raiders than any other team this season. For the Eagles to improve and return to their fire-powered offensive form, the offensive line needs to regroup and focus on getting better and more consistent. The arrival of Todd Herremans, who missed all of the first five games with a foot injury, into the lineup should help, but the remainder of the line need to step up as well, especially since future opponents have arguably much better defensive units than the Raiders.

Why We Should Relax

• Motivation. Each year, it seems the Eagles lose at least one game they were expected to easily overcome. However, they have taken those losses as motivation and have tended to build upon their disappointments. Of course, it’d certainly be better to take the easy route and simply beat the supposed weak opponent, but it seems that over the past few years, the Eagles have worked well after falling to a lowly team. For example, last season the Birds embarrassed themselves by tying the then-horrible Cincinnati Bengals, only to play remarkably afterwards and fight their way into a playoff spot.
• Any Given Sunday. As stated before, the Raiders have been proven to be one of the league’s worst franchises. However, as seen before in the National Football League, there is plenty chance for any team to win a game, no matter the circumstances. Giants’ LB Antonio Pierce claimed playing the Raiders was like scrimmaging another team after New York walloped Oakland in Week 5, and this obviously infuriated some of the Raider players. They came out against the Eagles a desperate and determined team, and fought with their all. They played the most sufficiently, and came away with the victory, as any team who plays more consistently would.
• Plenty of Games to Go. Despite the dismal feeling you may have, please realize that there are still 11 games to go in the 2009 regular season. The NFC East-leading Giants stand at 5-1, and with a few wins by the Eagles and a loss by New York, the Birds will have immediately placed themselves in serious division contention. There is a lot of football to play, and because the Eagles have lost one game to a fairly bad opponent, the season is certainly not over or lost for good. The schedule indeed gets harder, according to future opponents’ records, but the Eagles have displayed talent and as long as they execute it and get their act together, we will be fine.

No matter which side of the argument you choose to support, don’t give up. Sure, you have a right to be upset over the loss to the Raiders, as it was a clear and disappointing stumble by the Eagles. But even if you are worried and not relaxed, note that this is still the Philadelphia Eagles, our beloved football team, and there is still time for them to rebound and regain our passionate love for them that is displayed each and every Sunday.

(picture source)