Philadelphia Eagles: 5 Things We Learned About the Team This Week

John Skelton throws three touchdown passes on the Eagles' store-bought secondary. Another terrible loss to another terrible team mars an Eagles season that was supposed to be so much better. 

The Eagles' year can be surmised in one play in their loss to Chicago the week before. Their fake punt sounds like it should have worked. They have a punter who was a quarterback. Their fake punt worked all week long in practice. It didn't on the field. Their fake punt looked like it would work with two men completely uncovered. The ball fell just short. 

And so it continues.  

Michael Vick Is Not Worth His Money

Vick continues to struggle this year after being paid a king's ransom of $100 million over six years. 

Vick is being paid like the Tom Bradys, Peyton Mannings and Drew Brees' of the league, but he is not playing like it. His paltry quarterback rating of 79.8 is the first thing to jump off the page. What's more concerning is Vick's decision making. His interceptions have become uglier, and he forces the ball down field when plays are simply not there to be made. 

Vick needs to earn his money, and that starts by throwing more touchdowns (11) than interceptions (11). 

DeSean Jackson Can't Be Benched

I find it no coincidence that DeSean Jackson is benched and the Eagles offense sputters every drive. 

Jeremy Maclin certainly didn't help matters today, dropping numerous passes and being all together ineffective. I believe Maclin to be the overall better receiver than Jackson, but his performance yesterday was one of the reasons the Eagles lost. 

Jackson's big play ability was missed. Especially against a Cardinals defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in giving up big plays. 

Eagles Defense Needs a Change

Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. That seems to be the theme of the Eagles defense. 

Talented players do not make up a talented defense. This defense constantly misuses their star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, hoping that he will eventually adjust to zone coverage instead of just playing press with him like the Oakland Raiders did. 

The Eagles defense is great at getting to the passer, but when they don't they are especially vulnerable to quarterbacks who extend the pocket, lack discipline and force missed tackles. 

It's All Shady

LeSean McCoy is having a superb year as a running back. He's averaging a brilliant 5.5 yards per carry and scored his 10th touchdown of the season on Saturday. 

Unfortunately, he only got 14 carries. The Eagles have to get their star running back the ball more. Keeping themselves out of 3rd-and-long situations opens up an entire new edge to the Eagles offense. Play action should be the big-play staple for the Eagles, yet it is not nearly as effective as it was last year. 

McCoy is a monster, and he should touch the ball 20 times a game. 

The Eagles Are Done

It was almost surely true last week, but this week it is more reality. 

The Eagles are 3-6 in a division with a Super Bowl contender in the 6-3 Giants, and a respectable team in the 5-4 Cowboys. There is little more than mathematical hope for the Eagles to make the playoffs. 

The Eagles travel to the Giants next week. If they can pull off a victory and Dallas loses, it might make it possible for them to make the playoffs, but not likely. They have the opportunity to play spoiler and take advantage of a tired Giants team.