Believe it or not, there are times when the NFL is not all about the quarterback -- and that is why the Philadelphia Eagles have at least temporarily landed atop the low roof of the NFC East with a flat .500 record.
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The Eagles managed to gain a piece of that top spot on Monday night in a back-to-black night at the Linc where they disposed of the New York Giants, 27-7. The Eagles won in large part on the basis of a big-play defense, and even larger part because the Giants could not get out of their own way.
By the end of the night, the Eagles had a pick-six for one touchdown and watched the Giants commit critical and dumb penalties that opened the door to a couple of other scores. The mantra was once again “a win is a win,” but a larger question loomed as to whether or not the Eagles had the look of a first-place club.
Those questions about the ultimate success of this club get back to your faith in quarterback Sam Bradford who had yet another blah game. Bradford was guilty of three more interceptions and once again looked lost within his gargantuan helmet in terms of reading the availability of receivers, and taking a second and third look.
For those keeping count -- and that would be most of the Delaware Valley -- that is now nine interceptions for the season. Interestingly, that is the second-most in the NFL behind, of all people, Peyton Manning.
The irony here isn’t just that Manning, a future Hall of Famer is stumbling in the downside of his career. The real irony is that the Denver Broncos have overcome those interceptions and have record of 6-0, a record they have achieved that status by virtue of a rambunctious defense.
So, there should be more than a little bit of optimism for the Eagles as they head forward into the remainder of the season which re-starts with a dangerous matchup against quarterback Cam Newton and the undefeated Panthers in a primetime meeting Sunday night in Carolina.
This will not be Bradford against Newton.
Bradford has been a huge disappointment. He does not look like much of an upgrade from Nick Foles, if he is any upgrade at all. He certainly doesn’t look as good as the quarterback everybody had high hopes of nabbing, Marcus Mariota.
This will be a litmus test for a defense that has emerged as the strength of the team -- and even more of a test if DeMeco Ryans can’t play, or is at less than full strength, because of a wonky hamstring. It was Ryans who grabbed the Giants by the throat on Monday night when he ripped away a ball from tight end Larry Donnell.
The interception turned the game around and the Eagles were on their way to the top of the division.
Ryans thinks he will be ready for the Panthers game. Even if he isn’t, the Eagles have some new teeth on that defense, and there is more than enough reason to believe it will come up with a follow-up strong performance at Carolina.
The quarterback?
Well, there’s the worry.
Bradford has been a huge disappointment. He does not look like much of an upgrade from Nick Foles, if he is any upgrade at all. He certainly doesn’t look as good as the quarterback everybody had high hopes of nabbing, Marcus Mariota.
There was the really brief flicker of hope for Bradford in the preseason splurge at Green Bay but other than that, there is not much to hope for in terms of upside. The real fear is that the Bradford you have seen over the first six games is the Bradford you will see the rest of the season.
Or maybe the Bradford you won’t see.
If the struggles continue, and if the defense cannot cover up the mistakes there will be shouts for Mark Sanchez. Hard as it is to believe, there is a short safe zone here between hopes for Bradford and shouts for Sanchez.
Mind you, all of this concern for the quarterback comes on the heels of a victory over the hated New York Giants, and after quarterback Eli Manning left with that confused look on his face.
In the short term, you can look past the shortcomings of the quarterback, but if you care to glance into the future it is difficult to see any parties at the Linc late in the season.
Maybe the defense holds up all season, maybe the running game can punish the opposition, and maybe the special teams are truly special.
Andy maybe the quarterback gets better.
Maybe.