YESTERDAY, AFTER HIS late goal caused his former club to drop two points against title rivals Manchester City, Frank Lampard refused to celebrate, aware of the regard he’s still held in by Chelsea fans.
Contrast that with the reaction of DeSean Jackson who high-stepped his way into the endzone – backwards – before mocking the Eagles fans at the end of his 81-yard touchdown grab for new team Washington.
https://vine.co/v/O7AFTQtOBjE
It was Jackson’s first trip back to Philadelphia with Washington and the wide receiver set the tone for his afternoon by shoving Eagles safety Malcom Jenkins early in the first quarter.
https://vine.co/v/O7KIWA7LiMQ
In short, his antics couldn’t have contrasted more with those of Lampard.
However, Philadelphia fans had the last laugh as it was their side who started slowly but came back to record athird victory in three games. It marks their first 3-0 start since reaching the Super Bowl in the 2004 season.
Once again, Philadelphia recovered from an early deficit. However, while they came back from 17 points down against both the Jaguars and the Eagles, they only had a ten point deficit to overcome on Sunday, trailing 17-7 early on.
That Philadelphia won yesterday is all the more remarkable when you consider that Washington’s Kirk Cousins put up video game numbers (487 yards on 30 passes and three touchdowns), they were out-gained by 511 yards to 379 and had to play most of the game without star running back LeSean McCoy.
However, as they did against the Colts and Jags, the Eagles finished far stronger than Washington on Sunday and found yet another way to get the win. Against the Colts, it was Darren Sproles in the run game that earned the w. Last night it was Jeremy Maclin and Jordan Matthews who combined for 16 catches, 213 yards and three touchdowns.
The one consistency from all three wins is the Eagles’ use of their up-tempo offence. To put it into perspective, Chip Kelly’s men led 21-20 at half-time, despite only having the ball for seven minutes and six seconds compared to Washington who held it for 22:54.
Proof, if it was needed, that this Philly team are built to out-last, not out-class, opponents.
In theory, practising with the Eagles and facing their offence day in and day out should mean that Philadelphia’s defence is the fittest in the league, which is why they’ve conceded just 24 second half points compared to 54 in the first half of their three games so far.
However, only the Denver (73.3) and Jacksonville (79) defences have faced more than the 73 plays per game the Eagles defence has had to endure this season.
Yesterday – because of Chris Polk’s kick-off return – the defence faced 23 plays before the offence had even taken the field.
And, if the words of cornerback Cary Williams are to be believed, as much as everyone praises Chip Kelly’s offence, not everyone on the team – especially not on defence – is buying into it:
“We’ve got to start taking care of our guys, taking care of our players. And doing the right thing from there, man.”
So while the Eagles now have a real chance to prove they are a genuine force in the NFC – with games against three 1-2 teams in a row – Chip Kelly may have a mutiny in his own camp to quell.
Will he get the balance right?
He’s paid well enough to and if 3-0 is 6-0 or even 5-1 in three weeks’ time, it may be easier for everyone to, defence included, to suck it up and keep playing.
But in an NFL season where so many pre-season favourites are flattering to deceive it’s still too early to tell if the Eagles will continue to soar or if they’re about to have their wings clipped.
Results
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14 @ Atlanta Falcons 56
Green Bay Packers 7 @ Detroit Lions 19
Denver Broncos 20 @ Seattle Seahawks 26
San Diego Chargers 22 @ Buffalo Bills 10
Tennessee Titans 7 @ Cincinnati Bengals33
Baltimore Ravens 23 @ Cleveland Browns 21
Indianapolis Colts 44 @ Jackonville Jaguars 17
Minnesota Vikings 9 @ New Orleans Saints 20
Oakland Raiders 9 @ New England Patriots 16
Houston Texans 17 @ New York Giants 30
Washington 34 @ Philadelphia Eagles 37
Dallas Cowboys 34 @ St. Louis Rams 31
San Francisco 49ers 14 @ Arizona Cardinals 23
Kansas City Chiefs 34 @ Miami Dolphins 15
Pittsburgh Steelers 37 @ Carolina Panters 19
Still to come
Chicago Bears @ New York Jets -2.5
