Five Big-Picture Takeaways From Eagles Week 14 Win vs Bills
By Somers Price
Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after safety Ed Reynolds (30) intercepts the ball to end the Buffalo Bills last possession of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles continued their unorthodox trek through the 2015 season on Sunday by notching perhaps the most emotionally meaningful win of the season against the Buffalo Bills. After yet another week of stories focusing on off-the-field matters, the spotlight shone brightly on Lincoln Financial Field. The clash between LeSean McCoy and his former team was sure to bring upon some fireworks. The Eagles all-time leading rusher discussed the estranged relationship Chip Kelly and him had when McCoy was still in Philadelphia at length during the week. Many expected ‘Shady’ to save something special for Philadelphia.
As far as fresh storylines, the reported conversation between DeMarco Murray and owner Jeffrey Lurie about the running back’s diminished workload re-ignited some of the narratives brought upon by some of the former Eagles that left this past offseason. Even after quite possibly the most impressive win in the Chip Kelly era, the Eagles could not avoid the conversations that have defined the 2015 season. Though there is almost no way those talks come to a close heading into week 15, it is encouraging to see them deliver a three-phase, sixty-minute effort against a very talented Bills team.
The Eagles are a 6-7 football team. They are aware of this and don’t make any excuses to the contrary. Looking back at a handful of their losses this season, one can point to any number of issues that have prevented them from positioning themselves more ideally in the division. When that’s the case, coincidence or bad luck cannot be chalked up as a reason. All of that being said, the Eagles are getting healthier and look as stable as they have been since their last two-game win streak. They have managed, with some help from the division, to re-invigorate their postseason push. Sunday’s win showed a lot of the type of play that will be necessary on the field to continue their run toward playoff football.
Here’s some of what stood out in week 14’s win, from a big-picture standpoint.