Angelo Cataldi's Top 5 Reasons For Why The Eagles Were Better In 2013
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- After their demoralizing 38-27 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday night, the Eagles no longer control their own destiny. The playoffs are suddenly no guarantee, as the Birds could realistically finish the season 11-5 and miss the postseason.
94WIP Morning Show host Angelo Cataldi says this team has regressed. On Wednesday, Cataldi gave his top-five reasons for why the 2013 Eagles are better than this year's team.
5. LeSean McCoy
McCoy, the reigning NFL rushing champ, has 1,132 rushing yards with two games remaining. That's 475 yards less than his regular season total last year. McCoy is averaging 4.1 yards per carry this year, a yard less than his 5.1 yards per carry mark in 2013.
"Why is he not as effective this year?" Cataldi asked. "64 yards against the Cowboys in the biggest game of the year."
4. Red Zone Efficiency
The Eagles are 25th in the NFL in red zone touchdown efficiency, scoring touchdowns on just 48-percent of their opportunities. Last year, the Birds came away with six-points 53.23-percent of the time, 13th best in the NFL.
"Some of that I'm putting on Chip," Cataldi said. "Al [Morganti], I haven't seen a lot of creativity down there. He is still trying to force [LeSean] McCoy in, when [Chris] Polk is a much better option."
3. Turnovers
Last year the Eagles committed the least amount of turnovers in the NFL, 19. This year, with two games remaining, the Eagles have committed 34 turnovers---most in the NFL.
Their turnover differential of (-9) is tied for fourth worst in the NFL.
2. Mark Sanchez
Sanchez is 3-3 as a starter since taking over for Foles. Sanchez has thrown for 1,752 yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in seven games played, completing 61.9% of his passes.
"Sanchez will be right behind [Fletcher] for the Zach Ertz mess and all the other bad throws he made," Cataldi said of Sanchez, as the No. 2 reason for the Eagles' missing the playoffs.
1. Bradley Fletcher
Bradley Fletcher was beat by Dez Bryant for three touchdowns in Sunday night's crucial game against the Cowboys. Bryant finished the game with six catches for 114 yards.
"I have faith in Fletch, even though he didn't have a good game," defensive coordinator Billy Davis said this week.
"The man ruined the season!" Cataldi yelled on Wednesday morning. "Does anyone in this city have faith in Fletch? He looked shell-shocked. If the season is not rescued in the next couple of weeks, Fletcher in that game, will be the No. 1 reason they don't make the playoffs."
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