The Philadelphia Eagles lost their second consecutive game and fell to 9-5 on the season when they lost to the Dallas Cowboys 38-27 on Sunday night . The defeat throws a wrench into what was looking like a sure-fire NFC East crown for Philly.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez threw two interceptions in the game, erasing some gutsy play that had the Eagles comeback from a 21-point deficit and eventually take a 24-21 lead. Sanchez has now thrown seven picks in his last five games, leading some to believe Nick Foles will regain the starting job when he returns from injury. However, Foles has still yet to be fully cleared by doctors as he continues to work his way back from a broken collarbone. At this point, it isn't known whether Kelly would even give him the starting job back.
"When we get the results on it, then we'll make decisions on it," Kelly said. "I don't know where he is, so to waste my time trying to think of 27 different variations of how this happens-- Can he do this? Can he take a hit? Can he not take a hit? He can play, but he can't do this?-- It's a waste of time. Tell me if he's ready to go and then we'll make decisions."
Re-inserting Foles back into the starting lineup doesn't guarantee anything. Foles had regressed this season and caused Philadelphia's front office to reportedly sour on him even before he went down with the injury. A quarterback switch also won't help a vulnerable secondary that has allowed 528 passing yards and five touchdowns through the air over the last two weeks.
The Eagles need to improve a 27th ranked pass defense and also get production out of whoever lines up under center. If they don't, they could end up missing out on the playoffs thanks to this late-season slide.
