Winston’s other scoring tosses went to players with limited fantasy cred – Cameron Brate, Charles Sims and Russell Shepard. A Week 15 draw with St. Louis could get a little messy, but otherwise, look at the green lights: Indianapolis, Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago. I always wanted to be an Eagle. I was even singing the fight song out there on the field. You can never play good run defense with those big runs. “We are watching a young quarterback grow before our eyes”, Evans said.
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The re-emergence of Martin comes after the Bucs declined a fifth-year option on his contract for 2016, meaning the 5-foot-9, 233-pounder who had runs of 58 and a franchise-record 84 yards against the Eagles could become a free agent after this season. It was as if the first overall pick in the draft was leading Florida State to its annual rout of Syracuse. “The mature part is that we talked about it again”. Though the good news is playing in the NFC East means Philly still isn’t out of the division race (the 5-5 NY Giants are currently in first place), that might be the only good news for the team right now.
Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez, subbing for injured starter Sam Bradford, completed 26 of 41 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions, including one that was returned by linebacker Lavonte David 20 yards for the Bucs’ final touchdown. After they got trounced by a mediocre Tampa team, players began openly questioning whether their teammates are trying hard enough. Tampa Bay built a 35-14 lead during that stretch. Doug Martin rushed for 235 yards.
Winston filled the box score early and often during Sunday’s 45-17 blitz at Philadelphia, throwing for 246 yards and five touchdowns in the signature game of his brief career.
But Winston led the Bucs on a 13-play, 80-yard drive to make it 28-14 at the intermission. More impressively, Winston was 9/12 for 101 yards on 3rd downs. One drive, such as the opening possession (technically the second because of running back DeMarco Murray‘s fumble), they look incredible, marching down the field. “We emphasized that this would be a great game for us to get back on track since our past few games we have not been too great in the running game“.
That gave the Eagles more takeaways by their offense in the past two games than by their defense.
Kelly said he did not think the problem was defensive coordinator Bill Davis, who calls the plays. The Eagles were overmatched against the Buccaneers, who amassed 521 yards, including 283 in the ground game. Martin had 251 vs. Oakland in his rookie season…. His 84-yard rush is the second-longest in the National Football League this season, behind Lamar Miller’s 85-yard touchdown run for Miami in Week 7.
NOTES: Eagles TE Zach Ertz suffered a concussion….
With a quick turnaround before Thursday’s game in Detroit against the Lions, wholesale adjustments might be a tough ask this week. however, the loss to the Buccaneers is one that presents plenty of changes that need to be addressed sooner rather than later if Kelly is going to be able to keep this team afloat down the stretch.
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Winston has thrown for nine TDs with just two interceptions in the past six games, with both of the turnovers coming during a victory over Dallas.
