Two Bills Drive

‘The Eagles are 4-0 – 5-0 counting the playoffs – the week after a bye under head coach Andy Reid.’

‘It would be hard for them to run the ball less. The Eagles are passing the ball on seven of every 10 snaps, and their offense under Reid has never been this lopsided. Last year, the Eagles threw the ball 52 percent of the time. This year, after two games, they’ve thrown it 72 percent of the time. Even though the Eagles lost both games, they weren’t so far behind that they had to abandon the running game.’

‘"I wouldn’t imagine they’d run,” Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said with a smile. "I think they’re going to stay with the vertical passing game. They want to go deep. Their philosophy is to get the ball deep.”’

‘Bills 23, Eagles 17.’

‘Eagles 10, Buffalo 27.’

‘In a season-opening 17-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the tailbacks combined to gain 19 yards on 10 carries. In the 21-point loss to the Patriots the next week, they had 46 yards on 11 carries.’

Bills showing Eagles respect

‘This season couldn’t have started much worse for the Eagles, who many experts picked to finally take that last step and make it to the Super Bowl after 2 straight Championship Game losses. Injuries have crippled the defensive line and secondary. Quarterback Donovan McNabb is mired in the worst slump of his young career. They lost their first 2 games, both in their new stadium, by a combined score of 48-10 against the last 2 Super Bowl champions (Buccaneers & Patriots).’

‘Ken Simonton has been added from the practice squad.’

‘The Bills placed backup fullback Philip Crosby on injured reserve and he will miss the rest of the season.’

‘Seems the Eagles and the Bills have a lot in common as they prepare to face each other in Buffalo on Sunday. The difference is the Eagles have yet to win a game or look good trying to win a game. The Bills were off to a 2-0 start and had outscored their opponents, the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots, 69-17. It just goes to show how fast a team in the NFL can fall. The Eagles now have a chance to show just how fast a team in the NFL can rise.’

‘His completion percentage is a reflection of how uncomfortable he has looked in the pocket. McNabb never has been one of the most accurate passers. His completed 58.4 percent last year and ranked 22nd in the NFL. But 45 percent is in the Ryan Leaf neighborhood. That’s not McNabb.’

‘It still looks like the Pro Bowler casualty count for Sunday’s 1 p.m. game will be Philadelphia 2, Buffalo 1.’

‘Buffalo ranks 31st in the NFL in rushing yards per game (63.7), dead last in average yards per rushing play (2.4), and Travis Henry – who did not practice all week because of a rib injury and will be a game-time decision on whether he can play – has a paltry 122 yards on 53 attempts (2.3 per carry).’

‘I love the razzle, but this is too much dazzle. One trick play a game? From a team good enough to win without gimmicks? I like ice cream, but I don’t partake every day.’