2008 Woodie Awards
Jets and Eagles on an Early Roll
Rob MacKerchar
Issue date: 10/21/04 Section: Sports
On a Sunday afternoon when the New England Patriots extended their unbeaten streak to 20 games, an NFL record, the truly remarkable stories were local ones. The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets each won their games, staying alongside the Patriots as the only undefeated teams left in the league.
Just a year ago, the Super Bowl hopeful Eagles started their season off 0 - 2, being outscored by their opponents 10 - 48 and were completely embarrassed by the Buccaneers in their home opener at the new Lincoln Financial Field.
The Jets enjoyed a similarly miserable start, beginning the 2003 season 0 - 4. Everyone in the media and at home had their accusations, singling out head coaches Andy Reid and Herman Edwards as the reasons for their teams' terrible records. Many questioned Donovan McNabb's true talent and wondered if he would, in fact, be the future of Philadelphia.
We all remember Rush Limbaugh's controversial comments. The Jets would go on to finish the year 6 - 10, while the Eagles made it to the NFC Championship Game for the third straight year before losing to the Super Bowl-winning Carolina Panthers.
Most said the Eagles, who lost both starting cornerbacks with Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent this off-season, wouldn't have another shot; as for New York...come on, it's the Jets! There's no way that either team would be a contender this year, right?
So how have the Jets and Eagles remained unbeaten? These two teams have very contrasting styles of play, but both seem to know how to get the job done. The Jets play a much more controlled type of game, relying heavily on Curtis Martin, who passed the great Marcus Allen, Sunday for eighth in career-rushing yards. They don't try to go out and outgun the opposition like the Colts. Pennington and the Jets just go out there every Sunday, keep the game close, and do what it takes to pull out the win.
In their five wins this season, the Jets have won by an average of just 6.2 points per game. Herman Edwards has his team believing that it's okay to win ugly as long as you win. The Eagles, on the other hand, have steamrolled their way to five straight wins.
Just a year ago, the Super Bowl hopeful Eagles started their season off 0 - 2, being outscored by their opponents 10 - 48 and were completely embarrassed by the Buccaneers in their home opener at the new Lincoln Financial Field.
The Jets enjoyed a similarly miserable start, beginning the 2003 season 0 - 4. Everyone in the media and at home had their accusations, singling out head coaches Andy Reid and Herman Edwards as the reasons for their teams' terrible records. Many questioned Donovan McNabb's true talent and wondered if he would, in fact, be the future of Philadelphia.
We all remember Rush Limbaugh's controversial comments. The Jets would go on to finish the year 6 - 10, while the Eagles made it to the NFC Championship Game for the third straight year before losing to the Super Bowl-winning Carolina Panthers.
Most said the Eagles, who lost both starting cornerbacks with Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent this off-season, wouldn't have another shot; as for New York...come on, it's the Jets! There's no way that either team would be a contender this year, right?
So how have the Jets and Eagles remained unbeaten? These two teams have very contrasting styles of play, but both seem to know how to get the job done. The Jets play a much more controlled type of game, relying heavily on Curtis Martin, who passed the great Marcus Allen, Sunday for eighth in career-rushing yards. They don't try to go out and outgun the opposition like the Colts. Pennington and the Jets just go out there every Sunday, keep the game close, and do what it takes to pull out the win.
In their five wins this season, the Jets have won by an average of just 6.2 points per game. Herman Edwards has his team believing that it's okay to win ugly as long as you win. The Eagles, on the other hand, have steamrolled their way to five straight wins.