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| Foles was in command all last Sunday |
Instead of looking at overall numbers, I wanted to delve a little deeper into the key aspects that make a winning quarterback. To be a successful quarterback in this league, you must win.
The three key areas are third-down passing, red-zone efficiency, and fourth quarter passing.
After all, keeping drives alive, getting seven points versus three, and saving the best football for the fourth quarter sounds like a winning formula, huh? What a simple game.
After all, keeping drives alive, getting seven points versus three, and saving the best football for the fourth quarter sounds like a winning formula, huh? What a simple game.
Now let's compare the two in 2013:
Third-down Passing:
Michael Vick: 41% completion percentage, 4.9 yards per attempt, 28% conversion rate
Nick Foles: 80% completion percentage, 8.6 yards per attempt, 53% conversion rate
Red-Zone Efficiency:
Michael Vick: 5-19 38 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT. 57.1 QB rating. 6 TDs in 14 red-zone trips.
Nick Foles: 5-9 37 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT. 105.1 QB rating. 4 TDs in 7 red-zone trips.
Fourth Quarter Passing:
Michael Vick: 17-32 255 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT. 79.6 QB rating.
Nick Foles: 9-14 198 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT. 147.3 QB rating.
Should Foles be the Eagles starting quarterback moving forward? Well, that critical trio certainly favors him.
Let's play a common game called Fact or Fiction.
FICTION: Foles' numbers are skewed because it occurred against winless opponents.
- While the Giants and Buccaneers certainly aren't good teams, Foles' numbers are legitimate. In the Meadowlands, Vick was 6-14 for 105 yards against the same defense Foles shredded in the second half. Plus, Foles didn't have a run game for support as the Giants bottled up LeSean McCoy.
- The Buccaneers have a really stout defense. Look at the numbers:
Against the Buccaneers Defense:
Tom Brady: 25-36 225 yards, 2 TD, INT
Drew Brees: 26-46 322 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Nick Foles: 22-31 296 yards, 4 total TD, 0 INT
FICTION: LeSean McCoy and the ground game will be negatively impacted by a pocket passer in Chip Kelly's system.
- Tampa Bay has been known for it's penetrating defensive line and fast linebackers. Here are some more statistics to ponder:
Top Rushers vs. Tampa Bay Defense:
Week 1: Geno Smith - 47 yards
Week 2: Pierre Thomas - 29 yards
Week 3: LeGarrette Blount - 65 yards
Week 4: Andre Ellington - 29 yards
Week 6: LeSean McCoy - 116 yards
FICTION: The read-option is a thing-of-the-past with Foles in the gun.
- The read-option doesn't always need the quarterback to be an explosive running threat. The read-option can be successful with a play-action threat.
- After studying the Tampa Bay tape, the unblocked "read" defender had to honor the play-action pass option. Foles was hurting Tampa all afternoon with the play-action fake. That hesitation allowed Shady to burst by and make positive gains.
The bottom-line is both quarterbacks have shown they can run Chip Kelly's offense effectively. If Foles goes out this Sunday and has a turnover-ridden performance, the QB discussion evaporates. Michael Vick will be handed over the keys to the high-powered engine.
But, if Nick Foles goes out and delivers against the NFL's 30th ranked defense, he's made his case to takeover the Eagles offense moving forward.
*Follow me on Twitter @Matt_Chastain25 and @OfficialEagles_, I'll get you back.
Nick Foles: 9-14 198 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT. 147.3 QB rating.
Should Foles be the Eagles starting quarterback moving forward? Well, that critical trio certainly favors him.
 |
| Foles has delivered in the 4th quarter. |
FICTION: Foles' numbers are skewed because it occurred against winless opponents.
- While the Giants and Buccaneers certainly aren't good teams, Foles' numbers are legitimate. In the Meadowlands, Vick was 6-14 for 105 yards against the same defense Foles shredded in the second half. Plus, Foles didn't have a run game for support as the Giants bottled up LeSean McCoy.
- The Buccaneers have a really stout defense. Look at the numbers:
Against the Buccaneers Defense:
Tom Brady: 25-36 225 yards, 2 TD, INT
Drew Brees: 26-46 322 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Nick Foles: 22-31 296 yards, 4 total TD, 0 INT
FICTION: LeSean McCoy and the ground game will be negatively impacted by a pocket passer in Chip Kelly's system.
- Tampa Bay has been known for it's penetrating defensive line and fast linebackers. Here are some more statistics to ponder:
Top Rushers vs. Tampa Bay Defense:
Week 1: Geno Smith - 47 yards
Week 2: Pierre Thomas - 29 yards
Week 3: LeGarrette Blount - 65 yards
Week 4: Andre Ellington - 29 yards
Week 6: LeSean McCoy - 116 yards
FICTION: The read-option is a thing-of-the-past with Foles in the gun.
- The read-option doesn't always need the quarterback to be an explosive running threat. The read-option can be successful with a play-action threat.
- After studying the Tampa Bay tape, the unblocked "read" defender had to honor the play-action pass option. Foles was hurting Tampa all afternoon with the play-action fake. That hesitation allowed Shady to burst by and make positive gains.
The bottom-line is both quarterbacks have shown they can run Chip Kelly's offense effectively. If Foles goes out this Sunday and has a turnover-ridden performance, the QB discussion evaporates. Michael Vick will be handed over the keys to the high-powered engine.
But, if Nick Foles goes out and delivers against the NFL's 30th ranked defense, he's made his case to takeover the Eagles offense moving forward.
*Follow me on Twitter @Matt_Chastain25 and @OfficialEagles_, I'll get you back.
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