Philadelphia Eagles Need To See the Beef To Contend

A Dallas offense that had scored 58 points in two weeks against the Eagles were manhandled in a 34-3 blowout in a second round loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

As much as Eagles fan revel in their rivals getting blown out, what does this mean for the future of the Philadelphia Eagles?

That the Eagles, with a little bit of work, can catch the Cowboys and collect the division crown again?

Nope.

It means that the Eagles defense has to get a whole lot better.

The Vikings were getting to Romo through their down linemen and linebackers.

The Purple defenders pressured Romo, as he was sacked six times, threw for 22 for 35 for 198 yards, no touchdowns, lost two of three fumbles and threw threw a glaring interception right to Ben Leber deep in his own end late in the third quarter to set up a Vikings' field goal.

Talk about domination.

When was the last time the Eagles put a hurting on an opposing quarterback like that? The "Bodybag" game against the Redskins under Buddy Ryan?

Nope.

In September, 2008, following a bad 41-37 loss to the Cowboys, the Eagles forced nine sacks, forced a safety and got three turnovers to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 15-6.

Then they knocked Ben Roethlisberger out of the game.

A Jim Johnson defense.

To be fair, first-year defensive coordinator Sean McDermott played a big role in the Eagles' 11-5 regular season record.

But who among us Eagles' fans didn't remember huge chunks of real estate taken by the Cowboys, and the Boys converting not only third down and three, but third down and nine and at least in one of the games, third down and 20 something.

The Eagles did not win a game against a playoff team in the regular season.

Trent Cole by far was the best defensive player on the team, but late in the season the best run stopper was Jeremiah Trotter.

Are you kidding me? In his third stop with the Eagles! Is he older than Brian Dawkins?

The Eagles might as well get Hollis Thomas back or bring back William "The Fridge" Perry, shown above.

I watched Comcastsportsnet after the first Dallas loss and Ray Didinger, and former Eagle Brian Baldinger showed that while most Eagle defenders met and held blocks, Trotter peeled off and made several tackles.

One play he stopped Cowboys running back Marion Barber to a short gain, tackling him from his knees.

Old School.

So while myself, I admit, and others yell that Donovan McNabb's time is up in Philly, that really does not matter until you get this defense fixed.

Get some beef up front. Speed works when you are ahead and the other team has to pass.

As the season wore on, Asante Samuel had almost no interceptions.

Why?

The Cowboys dominated the line of scrimmage in both fronts, and Romo was not forced into silly interceptions like the one he threw Sunday.

Blow it up?

Maybe.

But the Eagles would be better served beefing up the defensive line and linebackers.