What a day it was for Philly sports yesterday. First, the Phillies started off their rubber match against the Marlins at 4:00. And, the Eagles kicked off against the Steelers at 4:15.
When it was all said and done and the smoke cleared the Eagles knocked the snot out of the Steelers 15-6 and really the game wasn't that close had it not been for an ineffective Eagles' offense that sputtered inside the 20's. And, this wasn't a mediocre team either; the Steelers could very well represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
And, the Phillies came out ahead of the Marlins, winning the series and retaining possession of first place in the NL East and a commanding lead in the Wild Card over Milwaukee.
I will be the first to say that I predicted both the Phillies and Eagles to lose yesterday. I saw this series against Florida as a letdown for the Phils and they came up with some serious clutch pitching on Saturday night and handed their asses to them yesterday.
And, the Eagles showed me a lot yesterday. Their defense swarmed like a pack of blood thirsty lions and didn't let up the entire time. It was shades of the Eagles of the early 2000's and the Buddy Ryan era. They came up with 9 sacks overall, one pick, and two recovered fumbles.
This is without a doubt a very good defensive unit and it's mind boggling that they let the Cowboys go up and down the field on them Monday Night.
I'll man up and say this Eagles team is better than I predicted heading into the season. I'll also man up and say the Phils will get into the playoffs and win the NL East.
We got quite a scare yesterday when B West twisted his ankle in horrific fashion and limped off the field, thereby not returning. It looked like a high ankle sprain at best, or even a torn ligament, but you can never jump to conclusions until things are all said and done. Good news just now though; at Andy Reid's noon news conference today he announced that Westbrook is fine and he could return this week if they absolutely needed him and hurried him. Odds are they'll take it day by day and he'll be out this week and he'll return in two weeks.
Looks like we could be heading back into that long-awaited Golden Age for Philly sports. The Phillies are hitting their stride at the right time. The Eagles look to be better than that 10-win team many including myself predicted before the year. The Sixers will be a 50-win team and no worse than the third best team in the East. And, the Flyers remember made it to the Final Four.
It's good to feel good as a Philly sports fan, because it doesn't happen too often.
The Phils will take on Atlanta tonight at 7:05, who just bounced back against the Mets yesterday. J.A. Happ will take on Jair Jurrjens once again, whom he defeated just a few nights ago.
The Phils hold a 1 1/2 game lead over the Mets and are 3 games head of Milwaukee in the Wild Card.
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