Prayers were finally answered for many football fans throughout
the Delaware Valley on Sunday when Michael Vick exited the Eagles’ game against
the Cowboys with a concussion midway through the second quarter, bringing on
the debut of rookie quarterback and preseason darling Nick Foles. But if you
weren’t paying attention – and judging from our comment section, quite a few of
you weren’t – you may not have noticed a huge difference in the offense’s performance.
Foles came into the game with the score tied at seven, and promptly
led the Birds on a three-and-out, his third-down pass hitting Jason Avant in the
helmet as the wide receiver slipped and hurt his hamstring. That play would become
emblematic of the evening number nine was in store for.
The Eagles went into the locker room trailing 10-7, but
Foles threw his first career touchdown pass on their opening possession of the
third quarter, a 44-yard strike to Jeremy Maclin standing all alone in the end
zone. On their next drive, Foles drove them down the field for an Alex Henery
field goal, pulling ahead 17-10.
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Then the 2012 Eagles showed up.
Dallas scored on offense. Then they scored on special
teams. And then again on defense. A seven-point lead turned into a 14-point deficit in under three
minutes.
The backbreaking score came on Foles’ interception to
Brandon Carr, who returned it 48 yards to the house. Foles was
attempting to hit DeSean Jackson on a slant route, but threw behind his target, the ball bouncing off of his hands and into the air amid a sea of blue
stars. The quarterback was also responsible for another score in the game's final
moments as the Eagles attempted one final desperation drive, losing the rock on
an Anthony Spencer sack-fumble, which was recovered by Jason Hatcher in the end zone
to seal a 38-23 Cowboys win. Philadelphia’s record fell to 3-6 on the season.
Foles finished the game 22 of 32 passing for 219 yards and a
pick, good for a decent 85.3 efficiency rating. He was sacked twice with the
one fumble lost. However, he did take the offense on another scoring drive late in the
fourth.
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By comparison, Vick was 6 of 9 for 70 yards and a score
before he was knocked out, adding seven yards on the ground.
Obviously this loss can’t be pinned on Foles, who played
fairly well behind a patchwork offensive line, especially considering the way
he was thrust into the action. Defense and special teams both contributed to
yet another Eagles collapse.
If nothing else though, Foles’ performance suggested changing
quarterbacks would accomplish little in solving this team’s problems. The
Arizona product showed poise and promise in a difficult situation, which might
make some fans feel better about the future of the franchise. But could Foles have
won this game if he started from the very beginning, or even saved the Eagles
from any losses earlier this year? Most likely no.
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