December 26, 2015

Halftime observations: Washington 16, Eagles 10

By Rich Hofmann
PhillyVoice Contributor

After what has been a trying season for the Philadelphia Eagles, we are now in must-win territory. After one half at The Linc, the Bids trail Washington, 16-10. Here’s what I saw:

The good

•    The opening possession was a beaut: Six plays, 80 yards, and the first opening drive touchdown of the year for the Eagles. Sam Bradford was in sync with his receivers and Washington committed a couple of penalties, one a crucial pass interference that placed the ball at the one-yard line. Ryan Mathews punched it in from there.

•    Next, Washington went three and out. This start was a little bit better than the one in Landover back in October. Just a teensy bit.

•    After a brutal first quarter, Fletcher Cox made some disruptive plays to halt Cousins and Washington’s offense in the next 15 minutes. After a late turnover, Eric Rowe held up well in coverage in the red zone.

The bad

• Jordan Reed came into the game tied for second among NFL tight ends with nine touchdown receptions. Welp, now he’s tied for first with Gronk at 11 TDs. DeMeco Ryans and E.J. Biggers, and Mychal Kendricks all didn’t showcase much ability to cover Reed.

• Zach Ertz’ second-quarter fumble might have been questionable, but the obvious lack of ball security by the Eagles tight end was not. You have to protect the rock better than that.

The ugly

•    The DeMarco Murray signing. Still not good.

•    Bradford gets drilled on this play, and he made some pretty nice throws in the first half (15-22, 194 yards), but he certainly missed Zach Ertz for a walk-in touchdown.

•    Not a great throw by Bradford… but you have to catch this, Nelson: