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Grant · 02-07-2005, 04:39 PM

Yep...this was indeed a hard loss, but not unexpected (on paper, anyway).

Consider the "couldas": Eagles held Pats scoreless for most of the first half. But they committed the one mortal mistake that they could afford in this game: turnovers. Still, they were IN THE GAME with five minutes left. Bottom line: They lost it. Had McNabb been "on" (a la GB mauling), the result probably would've been different. But the better team prevailed.

I have to admit, way back when the playoffs started (and even before) I picked the Pats and Iggles in the Bowl, and picked the Pats to win again.

That being said, I truly believed they would pull it off, but it became evident
verey early on that this was not the case. You can't turn the ball over more
than once and expect to win. The defense was great for both teams -- the Pats are sooooo good at magnifying your weaknesses. Brilliant. Force McNabb and he'll under-throw, over-throw, and be very predictable.

Pats entered the locker room at halftime and adjusted their game -- and it paid off almost immediately. The Eagles obviously went in for a potty break and little more. McNabb shoulda'would/coulda adjusted, calmed down, and done little things -- like making 3-4 step drops instead of 7...keeping his eyes open to 2nd and 3rd receivers (he did the same thing in the previous two games...leaving receivers open). What was with the clock management in the fourth quarter!!?? Etc., etc., etc. All sorts of Monday Morning QB'ing going on here!

The good news is that the Eagles have been prudent & smart with the cap, have locked in some young talent for the foreseeable future, and *should* return to a fifth NFC title game for at least three of the next five years.

Now I'm beginning to understand how Bills fans feel.

So now it's over...'til the fall. Pitchers and catchers report in another two weeks...

gfe

Bottom line: Pats rule. The better team won. Belichick is the man.

02-07-2005, 04:39 PM	#113
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,501 Thanks: 377 Thanked 231 Times in 125 Posts	Hard to Swallow Yep...this was indeed a hard loss, but not unexpected (on paper, anyway). Consider the "couldas": Eagles held Pats scoreless for most of the first half. But they committed the one mortal mistake that they could afford in this game: turnovers. Still, they were IN THE GAME with five minutes left. Bottom line: They lost it. Had McNabb been "on" (a la GB mauling), the result probably would've been different. But the better team prevailed. I have to admit, way back when the playoffs started (and even before) I picked the Pats and Iggles in the Bowl, and picked the Pats to win again. That being said, I truly believed they would pull it off, but it became evident verey early on that this was not the case. You can't turn the ball over more than once and expect to win. The defense was great for both teams -- the Pats are sooooo good at magnifying your weaknesses. Brilliant. Force McNabb and he'll under-throw, over-throw, and be very predictable. Pats entered the locker room at halftime and adjusted their game -- and it paid off almost immediately. The Eagles obviously went in for a potty break and little more. McNabb shoulda'would/coulda adjusted, calmed down, and done little things -- like making 3-4 step drops instead of 7...keeping his eyes open to 2nd and 3rd receivers (he did the same thing in the previous two games...leaving receivers open). What was with the clock management in the fourth quarter!!?? Etc., etc., etc. All sorts of Monday Morning QB'ing going on here! The good news is that the Eagles have been prudent & smart with the cap, have locked in some young talent for the foreseeable future, and should return to a fifth NFC title game for at least three of the next five years. Now I'm beginning to understand how Bills fans feel. So now it's over...'til the fall. Pitchers and catchers report in another two weeks... gfe Bottom line: Pats rule. The better team won. Belichick is the man. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."