Falcons

THE NEW Eagles' defense of Todd Bowles didn't look all that much different Sunday than the old defense of Juan Castillo. It was like putting a fake mustache and glasses on Sofia Vergara. "They did some things a little bit differently in terms of coverage," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "At times, they crowded the line of scrimmage and their safeties were very active, which we knew they would be. They actually ended up playing closer to the line of scrimmage than we thought. "We felt like there were going to be opportunities for us to get one-on-one matchups.

There are still 10 games left to play. But with the Eagles at 3-3,  Andy Reid  faces what can accurately be described as a must-win game when the Atlanta Falcons visit Sunday. The Eagles coach isn't in panic mode yet, but the firing of defensive coordinator  Juan Castillo  after the meltdown against the Detroit Lions has tightened the noose around Reid's neck. If the Birds win - Reid is perfect after the bye - it will buy the coach a little breathing room. But a loss before a Monday night road game against the New Orleans Saints could require drastic measures.

Join the conversation after every Eagles game with the Daily News. Send reactions by email to bausmac@phillynews.com ; use the hashtag #eaglesaftermath on Twitter; or visit the Daily News Facebook page . Here is a sampling after Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Falcons. WATCHING THE #eagles is like watching a dying animal after you hit it with your car - Matthew Solomon @mattt1312, on Twitter At least with a Todd Bowles defense, we do not have to worry about a 4th quarter defensive collapse . . . - Chris Fried, Philadelphia, on Twitter We waited 2 weeks for that?

Here is Paul Domowitch's report card from the Eagles' loss against the Falcons. Click here to enter your grades. We will publish the results in Tuesday's Daily News. RUSHING OFFENSE LeSean McCoy managed just 45 yards on 16 carries against the league's 28th-ranked run defense. And 21 of those 45 yards came in the fourth quarter when the Falcons were in their nickel and dime packages. He notched only his second rushing TD of the season early in the second quarter on a 2-yard run. McCoy has averaged just 2.6 yards per carry in the last three games.

The boos started as early as the first quarter, and there were not many Eagles fans remaining by the fourth quarter. The end never seemed closer than it did on Sunday afternoon, when the Eagles' season hit its lowest note yet in a 30-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. "That was an embarrassing performance," coach Andy Reid said. His statement would resonate more if it were the first time he said it, but he expressed a similar sentiment following the last loss.

MICHAEL VICK wasn't why the Eagles lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, but given the way the season has gone, somehow it made sense that Vick put himself on the hot seat afterward. "Obviously he's thinking about making a change at the quarterback position," Vick said of Eagles coach Andy Reid. "The thing I do know, and I'll go watch the film and evaluate myself, is that I'm giving us every opportunity to win. I'm trying my hardest. Some things don't go right, when I want them to, some things do. So if that's a decision that coach wants to make, then I support it. " News flash, Mike: The change fans are looking for this morning, in the wake of that 30-17 beating, is not the QB, so much.

The boos started as early as the first quarter, and there were not many Eagles fans remaining by the fourth quarter. The end never seemed closer than it did on Sunday afternoon, when the Eagles' season hit its lowest note yet in a 30-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. "That was an embarrassing performance," coach Andy Reid said. His statement would resonate more if it were the first time he said it, but he expressed a similar sentiment after the last loss.

A commercial debuted in 2004 near the peak of Michael Vick's popularity. Vick was 24 then, and his never-before-seen combination of speed and passing prowess made the Atlanta Falcons quarterback the game's most dynamic player. Nike created a commercial imagining the "Michael Vick Experience," a 60-second spot in which a child goes on a ride at an amusement park that simulates a Vick run. This was Vick's signature play - eluding and outsprinting defenders. It made Michael Vick Michael Vick.

When the Eagles run Ever since LeSean McCoy 's explosive second half against the New York Giants, the Eagles have had a difficult time getting yards on the ground. In the first four games the running back ran 81 times for 384 yards (a 4.7 average). Against the Steelers and Lions in the last two, McCoy was held to 75 yards on 30 carries (2.5 avg.). Bryce Brown has given the Eagles very little (19 carries for 51 yards) in the backup role. Some of the blame for the recent woes can be pinned on the offensive line.

Asante Samuel said that he expects to be greeted warmly when he returns to Lincoln Financial Field as a member of the Falcons on Sunday. "They better cheer for me," Samuel said to reporters in Atlanta. "They're going to cheer for me, or we're going to have a problem right there in Lincoln Financial [Field]. All you all fans, all I did for you all, you all better cheer for me. Deuce here. Got nothing but love for you all. " Samuel returns with the undefeated Falcons. It was pointed out to the cornerback during a four-minute interview the struggles the 3-3 Eagles have had on defense this season.