It's Sunday night and the Eagles are playing. This is usually cause for an abundance of beer and wings to be guzzled down amongst fellow Birds fans all across the Delaware Valley. Tonight's match up has quite a different vibe. It's like we're going to watch our best friend get his face pounded by Mike Tyson. Sure, we got our boys' back, but it could get ugly.
We're in front of our TV wondering what the heck Keith Olberman is talking about half the time. Anyway, more of our random ramblings after the jump. Send us your tips if you're watching along with us.
John Madden is doing the game this evening, which should be fun, and if his video game is any indicator, the Eagles are going to give the Pats a battle tonght. Madden 2008 says the Eagles lost 33-36 to the Pats in a simulation. (they forgot to take McNabb out.)
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Early games: It's good to see Eli Manning looking like himself. Man, that guy is not good. Also, anyone see the end of that Cardinals game? Wow. Tough way to lose.
This NBC Sunday Football opener makes me want to do lots of things. Watching football is not one of them. Sending text messages on my Sprint PCS phone? Yes!
Andrea Kremer tells us that the Patriots are the healthiest they've been all season. Perfect.
KICK OFF -- Eagles get the ball first.
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Well that was quick! A.J. Feeley throws a pick-six on only the third play of the game. 7-0 Patriots. On the plus side, A.J. Feeley won't have to wait long to get back out on the field.
I may need to start surfing the Internet for other ways to entertain myself on this nice Sunday evening. Don't know how long I can take it. At this pace, the Eagles will lose by a score of 420-0.
The Eagles throw together a couple nice little plays there and get a first down. Westbrook slithered his way for a first when there wasn't really a hole.
The Birds' line seems to be giving Feeley enough time to find open receivers. If you take away that horrible interception, Feeley has looked fine.
4th and a half yard... They're going for it?!? and Feeley sneaks it up the middle with no problem. Gutsy play for call from Big Red. That could have hurt a lot of you gamblers out there early.
TOUCHDOWN Brian Westbrook! Eagles 7 Patriots 7 After a nice little play from Reggie Brown, Westy jumps into the endzone. Man, the Eagles could be winning this game right now.
The great and mighty New Enland Patriots offense led by the infallible one, Tom Brady, will take the field for the first time this evening. Put the women and children to bed now.
Jabar Gafney sighting!
JUQUA THOMAS! sacks the shit out of Tom Brady. But did he lay on him long enough afterwards?
Anyone see a hold there on Trent Cole? on the completion to Gafney? It's a good thing Tom Brady throws like Joe Montana 'cause he runs like a girl. The Pats move the ball fairly easily down to the one yard line and are then forced to call a timeout because Brady saw a super model in the stands whose number he wants to get.
TD Patriots. 14-7
They just showed a shot of the Boston Harbor Hotel. My parents stayed there when I graduated from BC. One of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed at, complete with a great view of the hahbah.
Matt P. seems to have some great seats at the game tonight. He also seems to have a crappy cell phone camera. Here is a cellphone pic he sent me.
If you hadn't heard all of the hype regarding the New England Patriots, after watching the first quarter, you would think these two teams are fairly matched.
2nd QTR: Brian Westbrook is good. Very good.
The Eagles try to run a little trickery with Avant getting a backwards pass and then failing to find anything open downfield. Pats didn't bite for a second on that one. I guess that's the kind of shit you have to pull if you want to beat The Darkside.
Ha! A.J. Feeley connects with Greg Lewis, who apparently scares the Patriots and no one else, to tie the game up 14-14. A heck of a touch pass from Feeley. What's up now, chowdaheads!
The Eagles are hanging in early and the offensiveline hasn't allowed the Pats defense to really get to Feeley. You give a backup QB enough time and he'll beat you.
ONSIDE KICK! ONSIDE KICK! GOD BLESS ANDY REID! ONSIDE KICK! EAGLES RECOVER! Ah, this game just became fun. Andy Reid is a little happy inside to outsmart Belichick on that one.
Madden makes a point: Tom Brady can't beat you if he's sitting on the sideline. Madden makes another point that I've been making: that maybe Brian Westbrook is the best RB in football. Thanks, John.
The euphoria of the onside kick lasted about 2 minutes. I will now have some Thanksgiving desert leftovers to regain a high. Sugar high.
Jabar Gafney, Eagles killer. Randy Moss isn't too bad either, eh? I think this drive shows us something, the only way to slow the Pats is to get a body on Brady. I'd say holding the Best Offense Ever to a field goal is a moral victory. 17-14 Pats
That NBC show Chuck would be infinitely better if it starred Sir Charles.
Greg Lewis is the Patriot killer. A.J. Feeley connects on a nifty little pass to GLew for a nice first.
The football gods are smiling on the Eagles tonight after A.J. Feely throws a blooper to Matt Schobel for another amazing first down. A play like that never goes the Birds' way.
Greg Lewis, recognize! The Eagles lead the Patriots 21-17 late in the second half.
This is getting fairly interesting. I'd pay to be a fly on the wall of Belichick's locker room at half time. Not to see Tom Brady in his underwear either.
As many commenters are noting, the Eagles defense is stepping up on the big stage. From Chris Gocong getting his first sack to BDawk preventing Randy Moss from making the big play, the Birds defense is making their statement.
People make fun of Peyton Manning all the time for his mannerisms at the line, but Tom Brady is pretty loud and commanding up there as well in the no huddle.
I think the Birds got the shaft on the offsides call. Clearly Mr. Perfect got away with one there.
Whew, dawgy. J.R. Reed has been laying some hits down. But the Pats keep moving the chains but are running out of time.
Jabar Gafney, Eagles killer. He catches a TD on a throw from Brady in which it looked as if he may not have had possession in the end zone. Ouch, and he does the Eagles wing flap. Ouch, you scrub, ouch. 24-21 Pats.
That'll do it for the first half. Kudos to the Birds for a pretty good first half. Pret-ty good. Pret-ty, pret-ty good.
Click here for the 2nd half live blog.