The Cleveland Indians had won a game, and the next day manager Lou Brown was enthusiastic that his club was ready to “turn things around.”

“We won a game yesterday, we win one today, that’s two in a row, we win one tomorrow, that’s called a winning streak.”

MAJOR LEAGUE II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnVrSZHnvYY

For the first time all season, the Philadelphia Phillies have put together a winning streak, – mind it, San Diego and Houston aren’t the best of squads — picking up a win in the finale of a brief two-game set against Houston.

The Phils wasted a splendid outing from Cliff Lee,  the bullpen blew another lead, Hunter Pence made amends, and we did see a glimpse of Jake Diekman – he looked unflappable.

Lee spun eight strong innings, fanned 10 and surrendered a run on five hits and a walk. He hasn’t won a game since September 26 of last season, but he’s done his part as he’s registered a minuscule 1.95 ERA over five starts this year.

The Phils tallied just three total runs though his first three outings – including that 10-inning gem in San Fran – and the pen blew has blown a pair of two-run leads during his two recent appearances.

Lee is 0-1 on the season.

Statistically, the Phillies’ bullpen has been the worst in the National League.  Chad Qualls’ ERA has ballooned to 7.36 over his last nine appearances, Kyle Kendrick just isn’t a reliever, Jose Contreras is coming off an injury and looks rusty, there’s not too many “sure things.”

Antonio Bastardo looks to be a fixture and Jonathan Papelbon has been fine.

But who else will step up?

Last season, we saw Michael Stutes and Bastardo make a name for themselves.  The Phils plucked two relievers from Lehigh Valley this past week, but the one which really caught my eye was Diekman – the other reliever is Raul Valdez.

He made his MLB debut Tuesday and took the mound in a precaurious spot. With the game tied at 3-3, the side-winding lefty from Nebraska struck out Marwin Gonzalez, who had baserunners on second and third with two outs.

Drafted as a starter with a regular pitching delivery, the farm system asked the young lefty to not only move to the pen but change his arm angle, throw from a lower position.

Diekman was consistently hitting 94-95 on the gun with a heavy sinker that hovered low in the strike zone. His slider was solid, but it was that fastball which caught my attention today and in spring training.  He’ll induce plenty of double-play balls with that sinker.

He set down the Astros in order in the 10th and picked up his first big league win.

Hunter Pence, who goofed in the ninth frame when he bobbled a ball in the outfield as he attempted to throw a runner out at home,  made up for it in the home 10^th with a stinging liner that just cleared the wall in left to register Philly’s first walk-off win in 2012. Although the pen blew another one, Pence went and did something about it, showing — as Isuro Tanaka likes to put it – that the team does have some marbles.

Brown continued with his pre-game lecture…”It has happened before, so let’s see some hustle, let’s jack it up a little – or like Peter Laviolette would say, put some jam in it – I have a feeling things are about to turn around for us.”

The question in Philly when are things going to turn around?

They have a chance to get to .500 with a win Wednesday against the Cubs and Matt Garza, who was dominant in a win against Philly in his last outing against the Phils. And can Kendrick, who’s the game’s probable starter, turn his season around.

It’d be nice to go into that Boston interleague series with some confidence.

As the Pittsburgh Penguins kept ripping the back of the net in a 10-3 thrashing of the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night, a question was proposed amongst my colleagues.

Can the Philadelphia Phillies score 10 or more runs in a baseball game this season?

My initial response was of course, once Ryan Howard and Chase Utley come back.

And then the question became, what if they don’t return this year?

“I’ll get back to you,”  I said.

Then I did the research and realized how preposterous the original question was.

But before I get to my findings, here’s a little tidbit… the Phillies tallied double-digit run totals at least 10-or-more times in each of the last five seasons.

2011: 12 times

2010: 18 times

2009: 18 times

2008: 10 times

2007: 12 times

So I did a quick little experiment and here’s what I proceeded to find.

Of the three teams that scored fewer than 600 total runs in 2011 (Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco), each scored 10-or-more runs in a game at least once.

In fact, San Diego did it eight times, San Francisco five and Seattle four.

So to answer the original question?

Yes.

But I know why the question was asked.

It’s no secret, as Ruben Amaro continued to stockpile aces in the starting rotation, the offense has slipped over recent years. The power has dipped and the crooked-number innings have decreased.

This year, without Utley and Howard in the order, the only consistent power threat is Hunter Pence.

That was evidenced in a 5-2 loss to the Mets where the Phillies registered 11 hits — but only two were for extra bases.

So far through 12 games, Philadelphia has tallied 35 runs, half their total over the course of 12 games last year.

In the end, we must also remember that it’s still the first month of the season.

Charlie Manuel has tinkered with the lineup every night, trying to find the right solution.

He’s shuffled first baseman in each of the first four games, and has platooned Juan Pierre and John Mayberry Jr. in left field.

ALSO CHECK OUT

1B Rankings

2B Rankings

SS Rankings

3B Rankings

Over the last few years we’ve seen a changing of the guard at the catching position.

But this season, it’s about two guys trying to bounce back from injury-plagued 2011s.

Joe Mauer underwent offseason knee surgery in December of 2010 and was soon placed on the disabled list when 2011 began with a condition entitled “bilateral leg weakness.”

The hometown star , who inked an eight-year $184 million contract extension in March of 2010, set career lows in batting average (.287), home runs (3) and RBI (30) last season.

Suddenly the murmurs in Minnesota became drastically louder. Was the contract worth it?

Buster Posey is the everyday catcher again in San Francisco after suffering a brutal left leg injury while attempting to block home plate in a violent collision with Scott Cousins of the then Florida Marlins.

He broke his fibula and tore three ligaments in his ankle.

This year, Posey’s been advised by manager Bruce Bochy not to protect home plate.

Smart move.

1. Joe Mauer (Min) 8.75
2. Brian McCann (Atl) 8.5
3. Buster Posey (SF) 8.25
4. Matt Wieters (Bal) 8
5. Yadier Molina (Stl) 8
6. Miguel Montero (Ari) 8
7. Carlos Santana (Cle) 7.75
8. Carlos Ruiz (Phi) 7.5
9. Alex Avila (Det) 7.5
10. Mike Napoli (Tex) 7.25
11. Russell Martin (NYY) 7.25
12. Geovany Soto (ChC) 7.25
13. Wilson Ramos (Was) 7.25
14. Kurt Suzuki (Oak) 7.25
15. J.P. Arencibia (Tor) 7.25
16. A.J. Pierzynski (ChW) 7.25
17. Chris Iannetta (LAA) 7.25
18. Nick Hundley (SD) 7.25
19. Ramon Hernandez (Col) 7.25
20. John Buck (Mia) 7.25
21. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Bos) 7
22. Devin Mesoraco (Cin) 7
23. Jonathan Lucroy (Mil) 7
24. Josh Thole (NYM) 7
25. Rod Barajas (Pit) 7
26. Miguel Olivo (Sea) 7
27. Jose Molina (TB) 7
28. Humberto Quintero (KC) 7
29. A.J. Ellis (LAD) 7
30. Jason Castro (Hou) 7

ALSO CHECK OUT

1B Rankings

2B Rankings

SS Rankings

Miguel Cabrera overran the first pop fly hit his way in foul territory during Detroit’s season-opener against Boston. He circled back awkwardly and secured the catch, not before taking a tumble onto his backside.

The second ball hit to him?

He ole’d it like Roger Dorn.

Obviously, his defense is suspect at best, but sacrifices must be made in order to keep the most fearsome power duo in the batting lineup at the same time.

In their second game, they showed why.

Prince Fielder and Cabrera combined for four home runs and five RBI in a 10-0 thrashing of Boston.

1. Evan Longoria (TB) 9
2. Miguel Cabrera (Det) 8.75
3. Ryan Zimmerman (Was) 8.5
4. Hanley Ramirez (Mia) 8
5. Adrian Beltre (Tex) 8
6. David Wright (NYM) 8
7. Kevin Youkilis (Bos) 7.75
8. Alex Rodriguez (NYY) 7.75
9. Pablo Sandoval (SF) 7.75
10. Brett Lawrie (Tor) 7.5
11. Aramis Ramirez (Mil) 7.5
12. David Freese (Stl) 7.5
13. Chase Headley (SD) 7.5
14. Mike Moustakas (KC) 7.25
15. Ryan Roberts (Ari) 7.25
16. Mark Reynolds (Bal) 7.25
17. Scott Rolen (Cin) 7.25
18. Chipper Jones (Atl) 7.25
19. Placido Polanco (Phi) 7.25
20. Chris Johnson (Hou) 7.25
21. Pedro Alvarez (Pit) 7.25
22. Alberto Callaspo (LAA) 7.25
23. Chone Figgins (Sea) 7.25
24. Danny Valencia (Min) 7
25. Brent Morel (ChW) 7
26. Ian Stewart (ChC) 7
27. Juan Uribe (LAD) 7
28. Jose Lopez (Cle) 7
29. Josh Donaldson (Oak) 7
30. Chris Nelson (Col) 7

The ballplayer who performed the old bunt-and-sit ploy in the final game of the Mets’ 2011 MLB season finale to secure the National League batting title took his talents to South Beach and that glittering new ballpark.

Jose Reyes and former Marlins shortstop, and now third baseman Hanley Ramirez, seem to be getting along quite nicely. They’re sporting  orange hair and eyebrows in the spirit of the team — remiscent of the sun-in fad during the boy band age.

The character of Miami’s eccentric duo manning the left side of the infield has always been questioned, they’re tryin to squash all of the doubters.

1.  Troy Tulowitzki (Col) 9.25
2. Jose Reyes (Mia) 8.75
3. Asdrubal Cabrera (Cle) 8.25
4. Alexei Ramirez (ChW) 8
5. Elvis Andrus (Tex) 7.75
6. Jimmy Rollins (Phi) 7.5
7. Yunel Escobar (Tor) 7.5
8. Starlin Castro (ChC) 7.5
9. J.J. Hardy (Bal) 7.5
10. Erick Aybar (LAA) 7.5
11. Stephen Drew (Ari) 7.5
12. Jhonny Peralta (Det) 7.5
13. Derek Jeter (NYY) 7.25
14. Ian Desmond (Was) 7.25
15. Rafael Furcal (Stl) 7.25
16. Alcides Escobar (KC) 7.25
17. Dee Gordon (LAD) 7.25
18. Jed Lowrie (Hou) 7.25
19. Zack Cozart (Cin) 7.25
20. Jason Bartlett (SD) 7.25
21. Cliff Pennington (Oak) 7.25
22. Brendan Ryan (Sea) 7
23. Ruben Tejada (NYM) 7
24. Alex Gonzalez (Mil) 7
25. Jamey Carroll (Min) 7
26. Nick Punto (Bos) 7
27. Clint Barmes (Pit) 7
28. Tyler Pastornicky (Atl) 7
29. Brandon Crawford (SF) 7
30. Reid Brignac (TB) 7

The man with the shaggy moptop, the stinging bat and the natural flair defensively at second base recently received a five-year $75 million extension from the Texas Rangers.

Ian Kinsler is one of two second baseman in American League history that has  gone 30-30 in a season — Alfonso Soriano is the other. Defensively, he’s among the best at the position in the league.

But Kinsler’s not the only one who’s gotten rewarded for his stellar play at second base, Brandon Phillips has 72-million reasons to smile over the next six years in Cincinnati.

The best 2B in the game are being locked up by their teams.

In addition, the laser show will continue in Boston until at least 2014, and you’d think the Evil Empire would lock up their star before he becomes a free agent in 2013.

1.  Robinson Cano (NYY) 9
2. Dustin Pedroia (Bos) 8.5
3. Ian Kinsler (Tex) 8.25
4. Brandon Phillips (Cin) 8.25
5. Chase Utley (Phi) 8
6. Ben Zobrist (TB) 8
7. Rickie Weeks (Mil) 8
8. Howie Kendrick (LAA) 7.75
9. Dan Uggla (Atl) 7.75
10. Dustin Ackley (Sea) 7.75
11. Neil Walker (Pit) 7.75
12. Aaron Hill (Ari) 7.5
13. Jemile Weeks (Oak) 7.5
14. Danny Espinosa (Was) 7.5
15. Brian Roberts (Bal) 7.25
16. Jason Kipnis (Cle) 7.25
17. Omar Infante (Mia) 7.25
18. Kelly Johnson (Tor) 7.25
19. Marco Scutaro (Col) 7.25
20. Freddy Sanchez (SF) 7.25
21. Darwin Barney (ChC) 7.25
22. Orlando Hudson (SD) 7.25
23. Mark Ellis (LAD) 7.25
24. Ryan Raburn (Det) 7
25. Gordon Beckham (ChW) 7
26. Alexi Casilla (Min) 7
27. Skip Schumaker (Stl) 7
28. Yuniesky Betancourt (KC) 7
29. Daniel Murphy (NYM) 7
30. Jose Altuve (Hou) 7

Yeah, I know the season started last week, but working on the rankings had to wait until this past weekend. So, enjoy, I’ll be ranking all of the positions within the next couple of days. Also, below the rankings, you’ll see my MLB predicitions. Again, a week late…

1. Albert Pujols (LAA) 10
2. Joey Votto (Cin) 9
3. Adrian Gonzalez (Bos) 8.75
4. Prince Fielder (Det) 8.5
5. Mark Teixeira (NYY) 8
6. Ryan Howard (Phi) 8
7. Paul Konerko (Chw) 8
8. Lance Berkman (Stl) 7.75
9. Eric Hosmer (KC) 7.5
10. Justin Morneau (Min) 7.5
11. Ike Davis (Nym) 7.5
12. Freddie Freeman (Atl) 7.5
13. Gaby Sanchez (Mia) 7.5
14. Paul Goldschmidt (Ari) 7.5
15. Carlos Pena (TB) 7.25
16. Todd Helton (Col) 7.25
17. Brandon Belt (SF) 7.25
18. Carlos Lee (Hou) 7.25
19. James Loney (LAD) 7.25
20. Yonder Alonso (SD) 7.25
21. Adam Lind (Tor) 7.25
22. Justin Smoak (Sea) 7.25
23. Garrett Jones (Pit) 7
24. Mat Gamel (Mil) 7
25. Brandon Allen (Oak) 7
26. Bryan LaHair (Chi) 7
27. Casey Kotchman (Cle) 7
28. Adam LaRoche (Was) 7
29. Mitch Moreland (Tex) 7
30. Chris Davis (Bal) 7

MLB PREDICTIONS

NL East

1. Philadelphia- 92-70
2. Miami- 90-72
3. Atlanta- 89-73
4. Washington- 79-83
5. NY Mets - 66-96

NL Central

1. St. Louis- 88-74
2. Milwaukee- 87-75
3. Cincinnati – 83-79
4. Pittsburgh- 70-92
5. Chicago- 65-97
6. Houston- 55-107

NL West

1. San Francisco- 94-68
2. Arizona- 90-72
3. Los Angeles- 86-76
4. Colorado- 72-90
5. San Diego- 64-98

AL East

1. NY Yankees- 98-64
2. Tampa Bay- 92-70
3. Boston- 91-71
4. Toronto- 74-88
5. Baltimore- 66-96

AL Central

1. Detroit- 96-66
2. Minnesota- 75-87
3. Chicago- 73-89
4. Cleveland- 69-93
5. Kansas City- 63-99

NL West

1. Los Angeles- 97-65
2. Texas- 89-73
3. Seattle- 70-92
4. Oakland- 67-95

NL MVP- Justin Upton (Ari)

NL Cy Young- Roy Halladay (Phi)

NL ROY- Yonder Alonso (SD)

AL MVP- Evan Longoria (TB)

Cy Young- Justin Verlander (Det)

Playoff Picks

WC- Miami beats Arizona

WC- Tampa Bay beats Boston

Division Series

NLDS- Philadelphia over Arizona in 4

NLDS- St. Louis over San Francisco in 5

ALDS- Detroit over New York in 5

ALDS- Los Angeles over Tampa Bay in 4

Championship Series

NLCS- Philadelphia over St. Louis in 6

ALCS- Detroit over Los Angeles in 6

World Series

Detroit over Philadelphia in 6

The Eagles may have dug themselves into too deep of a hole now.

In a script that’s been all too familiar this season, Philadelphia saw Chicago take the final 13 points of the game to win the contest 30-24,  giving the Eagles their fourth blown loss in the fourth quarter this season.

Matt Forte, despite the two fumbles, shredded the Eagles defense accounting for 150 total yards. Earl Bennett came back from an injury and caught five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles were held to a season-low 330 yards, and the defense couldn’t get the Bears off the field in key third-down situations.

It never seemed like the Eagles could get over the hump in this game, and it’s been the same way all season. The 4th-and-10 play to Jeremy Maclin which came a yard shy of getting a fresh set of downs epitomized the game, the season, everything.

Down 7-0 the Eagles offense got themselves in field goal range, but Vick made a bad read and threw a pick. Robbie Gould kicked a field goal and it was 10-0.

It looked as the momentum had swung on the side of Philly. Forte fumbled and Brian Rolle picked up the loose pigskin for a 22-yard scoop-and-score to knot things up at 10.

But then DeSean Jackson, who caught just two balls for 16 yards, had a crucial fumble which led to a Chicago touchdown before the half.

At this point I really thought the Birds were ready to soar ahead, but that Jackson miscue really put a halt to everything. It gave the Bears some much added rejuvenation heading into the locker room up by a score.

There was another point in this game where I thought the Eagles were ready to take control of the game.

After Ronnie Brown punched it in for his first touchdown of the season, Forte fumbled for a second time, and it led to LeSean McCoy’s 33-yd TD run to put the Eagles ahead 24-17 with 52 ticks in the third.

But the offense didn’t score again, and just like the first 20 or so minutes, it was the Bears offense who shined as Cutler found impromptu ways to avoid pressure.

Oh Henry, I really don’t want to comment on this play much because I’ve heard it being used as an excuse, but how was that kid a high school quarterback?

Sometimes a team’s best defense is its offense;  we saw that for a majority of this game The Bears controlled the entire landscape of the contest. Philadelphia just couldn’t get a stop on third down.

Chicago’s offensive line, who’s allowed 31 sacks this season, held Philly pass rushers Jason Babin and Trent Cole in check all night on third downs. Jay Cutler’s road white was way too clean for my liking when the game was finished.

And Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie need to give a better effort, those receivers aren’t the Greatest Show on Grass.

Last week against Dallas, Philadelphia showed what the offense can be capable of.

The Birds finally put everything together for four quarters, they controlled the tempo of the game and most importantly, kept the opposing offense off the field.

But unlike last week, the inconsistency of the offense came back. There’s been way too many of these lulls in games where this explosive offense just doesn’t score. How many long sustaining drives have you seen this season that have ended with Michael Vick throwing an interception? The turnovers need to stop, and I thought the Eagles cleared this hurdle last week after the Dallas game.

All in all, Philadelphia has to pretty much win the NFC East at this point to get into the postseason. They’ve already lost to Chicago and Atlanta, and Detroit is well on its way to a playoff berth.

The Giants schedule gets brutal, can they overcome their second-half of the season woes over recent years?

It’s what the Eagles must hope for.

While watching the St. Louis Cardinals hoist up their 11th World Championship in franchise history, I thought to myself, why can’t the Eagles put together a story book season of their own.

For the Cardinals it started in Spring Training when Adam Wainwright went down for the season needing Tommy John Surgery. Down 10.5 games on August 25 to the Atlanta Braves, they put together one of the greatest runs in sports history. They won the Wild Card on the final day of the season, without ever leading the Braves in the Wild-Card standings in September.

But that was just the beginning.

They dispatched the 102-win and title-favorite Philadelphia Phillies in five games in the NLDS. They mowed through Milwaukee in the NLCS. Down two strikes, two runs with two outs, TWICE, in Game 6 of the World Series, the Cardinals somehow pulled that one off. And finally after tossing a forgetful outing on his first crack on three days’ rest, Chris Carpenter guts out six-plus innings and gets the win for your 2011 MLB World Champions St Louis Cardinals.

David Freese sets a postseason record with 21 runs batted in.

I can go on and on about the storylines, but I think Philadelphia is sick of baseball right about now. It’s football season!

It’s time to find out what type of character this Eagles team has.

From August 25 on, every game was a playoff game for St. Louis. The Eagles played their first of 11 playoff games against Washington in Week 6, at least until the regular season concludes. We’ll find out in a few months if this Philadelphia squad has what it takes. They certainly have the talent to make something magical happen.

But before any of that can be talked about, they have to beat Dallas first…

PHILADELPHIA RUSH DEFENSE VS DALLAS RUSH OFFENSE

DeMarco Murray had a career day rushing for 253 yards, including a 91-yard TD gallop, against the 32nd-ranked rushing defense in the NFL, the St. Louis Rams. Murray broke the single-game Cowboys rushing record of 237 yards set by Emmitt Smith against Philadelphia on October 31, 1993. The rookie’s 91-yard  scamper was the second-longest in franchise history after Tony Dorsett’s memorable 99-yard dash at Minnesota on January 3, 1983.

Philadelphia has the 23rd-ranked rush defense, but held Ryan Torain to 22 yards rushing on 10 carries in Week 6 against the Redskins. With the linebacking core struggling, the Eagles tightened up the ‘wide 9′ and found success against Washington.

But how good was that Washington rushing attack and will the run defense do the same against Murray?

PHILADELPHIA PASS DEFENSE VS DALLAS PASS OFFENSE

Tony Romo is as inconsistent as they come at the quarterback position. He’s had chokejobs against Detroit and New York Jets in the second half, but has also shined against San Francisco and New England.

It’s all about not making mistakes with him.

Look for Romo’s safety valve, Jason Witten, to have a field day against the Philadelphia linebacking core.

Philadelphia is tied for 11th in the NFL with seven interceptions, with four of them coming against the Redskins in Week 6.

Speaking of that Washington game, again, Kurt Coleman had a career game with three picks. It looks like finally, maybe, and I stress MAYBE, the Eagles have figured things out at the safety position.

And what about Asante Samuel? Will he continue to whine, complain and pout, or will he have a big game playing with a chip on his shoulder. He’ll have Miles Austin to deal with all night so the spotlight will be on him.

Nnamdi Asomugha will match up against the talented second-year pro from Oklahoma State, Dez Bryant.

Since the Eagles shrunk the wide 9 a bit, at least on first and second downs, how will that effect them getting after Romo.

EAGLES RUSHING OFFENSE VS COWBOYS RUSHING DEFENSE

LeSean McCoy is seventh in the NFL in rushing yards with 569, and leads the No. 1 rushing attack of the Eagles.

Dallas counters with the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL, limiting its opponents to just 69.7 yards a contest.

Linebacker Sean Lee, a guy the Eagles could’ve had in the second round, but traded the pick to the Cowboys, has been phenomenal and the breakout player on defense so far in 2011.

Philadelphia ran a bunch of draw two weeks ago against the 3-4 of the Redskins. Dallas, like Washington, has an attacking 3-4 and the Redskin outside linebackers were getting too far upfield. How will the Cowboys handle the draw play.

And Andy Reid has to stick to the run. Even if it’s not working in the first half, keep feeding McCoy the rock. The kid’s just too talented.

EAGLES PASS OFFENSE VS COWBOYS PASS DEFENSE

Philadelphia is still trying to figure out things in the passing game. Last year, the aerial show of Jackson and Maclin was showcased, but in order for that to happen the offensive line must give Vick time to get the ball downfield. That hasn’t happened so far.

At least they get Jason Peters back in time. He’ll go against DeMarcus Ware, who has eight sacks on the season.

They’ve gone to more quick, three-step drops on offense and there’s been more of a flow. Philadelphia’s still trying to get the ball downfield, but not as often the last few weeks.

PREDICTION- Phi 27-24

I’ts a must win for Philadelphia (2-4), and a very important game for Dallas (3-3). Andy Reid has an impressive 12-0 mark coming off the bye.

I think we’re going to see a shootout with the Eagles getting the ball last and the rookie kicker will get a chance to prove himself.

Mistakes continue to plague this team this season, whether its critical penalties, missed tackles and turnovers.

The defense stepped up this week in the fourth quarter, but it was the offense that dug themselves into a big hole this week. They rallied in the fourth quarter, but Vick’s pass for Jason Avant was intercepted late in the game to seal their fate.

This past week it was five critical turnovers which led the Eagles ultimate demise.

In his first ten starts last season with Philadelphia, Vick threw for 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He has seven picks and three fumbles lost so far this season.

But it’s not all on Vick as the offensive line continues to faulter in protecting him, and the receivers have dropped some balls.

Despite being 1-4, I did see some signs on Sunday in regards to the offense and defense.

The red-zone offense looked much better besides the one field-goal drive where Danny Watkins and King Dunlap committed back-to-back penalties.

There was no fooling around, no Ronnie Brown jump throws, no carries by the fullback, none of that. Instead it was Jeremy Maclin who caught a two-yard touchdown, and LeSean McCoy who got in from 10 yards out.

Although the linebacks, safeties and cornerbacks continue to miss tackles, the effort from the defense was there in the fourth quarter. But it would’ve been nice to see that effort when it was needed.

They were never able to take the crowd out of the game. Buffalo had touchdown drives to start the game, and to start the second half.

I do have a request…why is Jaiquawn Jarrett just sitting on the bench. Why is he not playing? Give him a shot, can he be much worse than anyone else?

It’s going to be a long road towards a possible playoff berth, but the Eagles aren’t out of it yet. especially in a weak NFC East.

Only five teams since 1990, nine since the merger, have started 1-4 and made the playoffs…

2004- Green Bay (10-6)
2002- Tennessee (11-5)
2002- NY Jets (9-7)
1993- Houston (12-4)
1992- San Diego (11-5)