Sometimes I feel like I'm watching a different game than everybody else. I feel like that right now when I see people critical of Sam Bradford's performance with the Eagles this season.
Fact, the numbers are not good. Bradford's 6.9 yards per attempt, 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and 82.4 passer rating are all pedestrian at best, as is the Eagles' 4-5 record.
Then again, those numbers belie the progress Bradford has made since the beginning of the season. The numbers also fail to take into account the offensive deficiencies surrounding the quarterback.
Actually, Bradford has been fairly solid from about Week 3 on. The numbers are improved over the last seven games, granted only marginally -- 7.1 yards per attempt, nine touchdowns to six interceptions, an 86.0 rating and 4-3 record.
Of course, since Week 3, Bradford has also been victimized by 22 dropped passes, according to Pro Football Focus, which certainly would've benefited his precious numbers. It probably is no coincidence either that he was sacked four or more times in each of the Eagles' last three losses. That doesn't even touch on the inconsistent ground attack and rampant penalties hurting the offense.
Bradford has only played one really poor game during that span, throwing three interceptions in a win over the New York Giants. Two other games may look bad from a statistical standpoint, but the quarterback did his job.
If Darren Sproles catches a would-be 78-yard wheel against the New York Jets in Week 3, Bradford's yards per catch rating spike from 4.2 and 73.2 to 7.0 and 99.7 -- a quality line against a tough D. And if the Eagles don't drop eight balls against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, he probably completes a heck of a lot better than 56.5 percent of passes for 4.5 yards per attempt, too.
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Over the past two weeks in particular, Bradford had been playing his best football of the season. Against the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins, the sixth-year veteran completed 72.1 percent of his passes for 531 yards -- an 8.7 average -- with two touchdowns and no interceptions. That's good for a rating of 109.3.
If we take numbers out of the equation altogether, Bradford looks objectively better compared to the beginning of the season. He's calmer while going through his progressions, making better decisions, throwing the ball with greater precision and accuracy, moving around in the pocket well and just seems more confident and in command of the offense in general.
Quietly, Bradford was doing a nice job prior to his injury. It's largely been kept quiet because nobody has been able to hang on to the football and there are days the offensive line can't block.
Has Bradford been perfect? Of course not. Has he cemented himself as the franchise quarterback in Philadelphia, somebody who could theoertically guide the Eagles deep into the playoffs? I' don't think we've seen enough to call it one way or the other, so let's just say the jury is still out on that.
One thing is for sure, though, and that is Bradford has been far from the Eagles' biggest problem for awhile now. To take that observation a step further, I'm not sure you could fault the play under center for any of this team's last three losses.
Receivers have to get open and catch the ball. The offensive line has to protect the quarterback. The ground attack has to keep defenses honest, and penalties cannot constantly drop the offense in unfavorable down-and-distance situations. With all of that going on, it's hard to believe there are many -- any? -- NFL signal-callers who would thrive.
Why is Bradford supposed to be any different?
Forget the numbers. Bradford is playing well and seemingly getting better every week, often in spite of his teammates. The Eagles can only hope the injury doesn't become too much of a setback.