By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
The Eagles showed heart. They never quit. They only loss by five points to the No. 2 team in the NFC on the road.
The above cliches are horseshit. The Eagles secondary and linebackers got manhandled by Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and the Bears offense en route to a 31-26 loss. It really is that simple.
After Michael Vick’s first interception since before his “vacation” from the NFL late in the first half, the Bears flat out rolled past the Eagles. With a chance to take a lead, Vick had a pass tipped into the Bears’ hands. Cutler and Co. promptly marched up the field to make it a 21-13 lead at the half.
Devin Hester and the Bears rolled past the Eagles, 31-26, on Sunday.
The Bears offense then put together sustained drives in the second half to lead, 31-13, after three quarters.
The loss of Asante Samuel was bigger than many thought it would be. Dimitri Patterson and Joselio Hanson looked like Izel Jenkins and Matt Ware against Cutler.
A signal caller known for turning the ball over with Brett Favre efficiency, Cutler was 14-of-21 for 247 yards and four scores. He hit Devin Hester three times for 86 yards, and Johnny Knox three times for 68 yards and a TD.
Besides being unable to cover or tackle in the secondary, the linebackers and defensive line aren’t clean in this loss. Matt Forte toted the rock just 14 times, but managed 117 yards. He is the first 100-yard rusher against the Eagles since Frank Gore late last season.
The Eagles managed three scoring drives (two field goals and a touchdown) in the fourth quarter to make the scoreboard look a little better. The bottom line is the Eagles defense didn’t show up and the offense came on too late.
The Eagles earned this loss. Is it the end of any big Super Bowl dreams? Far from it. Are the Eagles human and capable of losing with Vick as a starter? Yes, we now have a better sense of reality.
The only good thing is that the Eagles must get this game out of their system on the plane ride home since they host the Texans on Thursday night.
