Wow, how a win can change the mindset of some people. This win was huge. The narrow two point win was the best win we have had in a long time. I would put it up their with a playoff win. Granted, we improved to 4-9, but the win ended a two month long losing streak. Eight games. That’s the longest losing streak by the Eagles in 42 years. And gave a bit of relief to a highly frustrated fan base.
What I noticed first and foremost was the difference in play by the defense. Not because the wide 9 was scrapped (which I am happy about), but because for the first time all season I seen the guys play with heart, passion and pride. The whole team did. But most noticeably on defense. Now, I don’t know how much of that is due to the fact that Washburn and Babin are gone or not, but I believe that has some sort of factor.
Nick Foles had his first career win also. I’m happy and excited about this kids future with the Eagles. He has improved each week he has been the starter. And something that is extremely impressive to me is the fact that Foles knew what play he wanted to run (the game winning TD to Maclin) and told Reid what play he wanted and Reid gave him the ability to call his own play. That’s a lot of trust in a rookie QB. Foles is growing into something special right before our eyes.
On a side note here, I thought it was a bit of a slap in the face by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to choose us as an opponent to celebrate their ten year Super Bowl championship anniversary. I don’t think I need to explain why but I will anyway for the sake of venting. That 2002 NFC Championship game loss at the Vet was horrible for any Eagles fan to go through. If any year, 2002 was our year. We were better then the Buccaneers and definitely better than the Raiders team they beat in the Super Bowl. Still to this day I believe that we were the better team. We obviously had a bad day and that memory will last a life time. And for them to try and rub it in our face to only have Raymond James Stadium overtaken by Eagles fans AND the Eagles beating the Bucs via a come from behind victory in the last second? Well Tampa Bay, you can take your celebration and shove it.
And last but certainly not least. Andy Reid. I was so happy for him yesterday. Us fans and the media have been brutal towards Reid this season. I still believe he will be gone once when the season ends. And as I said before, I love coach Reid as a person and love everything he has accomplished for us. But man, that was a nice sight to see him smile and elated on the sideline once Maclin made that game winning catch in the endzone. It was nice to see the entire team happy. But especially nice to see Andy Reid smile after a win.
