Backup Nick Foles Shines as Eagles Roll Patriots 27-17

For the second consecutive week, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick left the game and required X-rays to determine just how hurt he was. But also, for the second consecutive week, the Philadelphia Eagles won without their services of their top quarterback. Hopefully for Vick and his fantasy football owners, this doesn’t become a trend.

You can’t give the Eagles that much credit though, as they did beat a Patriots team that sat Tom Brady for the entire game. But what was good news for Eagles fans was the fact that backup quarterback Nick Foles lit up the Patriots defense, one that featured starters. With Vick out early, Foles came in and went 18-for-28 and threw for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns to wide receiver Clay Harbor.

As for the rest of the Eagles, LeSean McCoy scored once and rushed for 30 yards on seven carries. He was out done by Bryce Brown who despite not scoring in the game, ran for 54 yards in just six carries.Don’t get too excited though, as this doens’t appear to be a situation where a quarterback battle ensues. However, it would be poetic justice if Michael Vick is replaced by a stellar backup due to him injuring himself. After all, that’s how Vick displaced starer Kevin Kolb in his second season with the Eagles.

The Philly defense looked sharp as well, allowing New England to cross the goal line just once — well actually twice to be technical. After their second quarter touchdown, the Patriots banged in the two point conversion thanks to Shane Vereen. But if it hadn’t been for three Stephen Gostkowski field goals, the game wouldn’t have been as close as it seemed.

Starter Ryan Mallet completed just half his passes and barely cracked the 100-yard mark in passing, finishing five yards better than it. Vereen’s two-point conversion was the highlight of his night, as he totaled just 20 yards on a 10 carry night.

Before the game wideout DeSean Jackson told the Philly media that he didn’t give it his all last year, and put forth just half the effort he needed to. Tonight he looked to get this 2012 season off to a strong start, catching the ball 4 times and amassing 82 yards in the process.

But the story is Vick and his injury. X-rays were negative on Vick, but it’s troubling that he’s been injured in two straight games — and what’s worse is it’s been in two different locations.

Perhaps Vick’s body is finally breaking down after the unusual stress it’s been under. It’s not normal for a body to do the things Vick’s does. let alone put it through the torturous treatment of prison, only to fire it back up again and do what you were doing before. Then again, this could just be a fluke that Eagles fans will all look back on and shrug off come February.

It’s not the first time the preseason has been cruel to Vick. In 2003 he broke his fibula in a preseason game against the Ravens, which derailed his and the Falcons season. Although this injury isn’t serious, it’s still cause for major concern in Philly.

But for now, the rest of the Eagles look solid, and they may even have a decent backup replacement in Foles. The rookie out of third round draft pick from this past April’s draft didn’t enter Eagles camp expecting to be the starter, but after Monday’s game in the spotlight, if he’s called upon the Eagles might just be alright.