Andy Reid yesterday noted that one of the TDs - the one-armed Tony Gonzalez catch at the back of the end zone - was just an amazing play. "The other ones, we've got to take care of business, both schematically and as players physically," he said.
Specifically, safety Jarrad Page had a nightmarish night, and strongside linebacker Jamar Chaney wasn't much better. Though Chaney is usually a reliable tackler, he flat-out got shucked aside by Michael Turner on the 3-yard, game-winning touchdown run. Chaney was unblocked and had an angle, just couldn't make the tackle.
If you want a straw to grasp at, it was apparent that the Eagles' defense, dominant in some respects until the fourth quarter, might have worn down badly because the offense kept giving the Falcons the ball on a short field. Three turnovers in five snaps, setting up the Falcons no further out than the 50. That would create problems for most defenses.
But playing on a full field or half, the Eagles desperately need a safety or linebacker who can cover. Corner Nnamdi Asomugha indicated afterward he would have played inside and covered Gonzalez had Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie not sprained an ankle in practice last week. Maybe that's the answer, going forward. Assuming there is an answer, from the parts the Eagles have on hand.
DEVELOPING STORYLINES
-- Not a great evening for DeSean Jackson: Bailed out by an offside penalty when he dropped a third-down TD pass; caught two passes for 21 yards; ran once for no yards; practically tried to tour the Atlanta beltway on a punt return.
-- Trent Cole might never play a better game, vs. run and pass. Too bad the Eagles wasted it. Four tackles for a loss. The entire Atlanta defense had two.
