By Robert Masusock

Today, Sunday October 11, 2015, the Eagles (1-3) will be facing the Saints (1-3). Rewind one month ago and the word “Super Bowl” was being thrown around like beads at Mardi Gras by fans and “experts” alike. However, on the other end there were also many fans screaming for Kelly’s head before the season even started. The fans who constantly pointed out it’s preseason and it’s meaningless. I was one of the people in the middle. What I saw excited me, but I knew it was still pre season which meant teams weren’t even scheming so I took it with a grain of salt. Now even with the cautious optimism I had, I am here and just like many I’m confused. How did this team look so good and end up so bad?

Some argue that this is what happens when you replace talented players with less talented players, but it can’t be that simple. They did trade LeSean McCoy and Nick Foles but they replaced them with Bradford and Murray who are also quite talented. Maybe it was letting Jeremy Maclin go back to Andy Reid in his home state of Missouri, that has to be it. Well it may be but that still doesn’t seem to be enough to explain how this offense has fallen off this bad. No, what did this to Chip Kelly’s Eagles was his own ego and arrogance.

He refused to work with Evan Mathis when he didn’t show up to OPTIONAL team workouts and cut him with no real replacement in mind. He’s sat and watched as Jason Peters has deteriorated to the point he’s as useful as an automatic door at stopping pass rushers. Most of all he didn’t even draft an offensive lineman to add depth or to develop as the old guard ages. Unfortunately, the time to fix this has passed and what we have is what we are stuck with for this year. Chip Kelly (if he is still around) MUST address these in the off season but for now it is time for the “genius” to set the ship back on the proper course and live up to the hype that followed him from Oregon.

The Saints’ may be 1-3 but with Drew Brees and Sean Payton you can never count them out. Brees is coming off a rotator cuff injury just two weeks ago and managed to throw for 359 yards and 2 touchdowns against the very same Cowboys’ defense last week that destroyed the Eagles in week 2. Payton is a match up wiz so watch out for mismatches especially given Billy Davis’ reluctance to move his corners. Side note for you fantasy players: Brandin Cooks is a must play.

Things aren’t all bad for the Eagles. Despite criticism of the defense early this year they have done a fine job allowing 21.5 points a game, good for 12th in the NFL. Good numbers but not great. With a team who is supposed to be known for its offense however, that should be plenty of breathing room for the team to win.

The quarterback who has gotten it the worst of anyone besides Chip Kelly, Sam Bradford, seems to be improving every week. This past game against the Redskins we saw a Bradford Philadelphia had yet to see. He was moving around the pocket comfortably, threw the ball deep and looked all around more confident to the tune of 3 touchdowns and 270 yards.

Things appear to be improving for Bradford every week and hopefully as he gets more comfortable and learns the system the team will improve as well. The issue is, will Bradford ever improve enough or will he be yet another case of untapped potential?

Chip Kelly got us into this mess and only he can get us out. This game is a must win or this situation could get ugly for the city and the team. That being said I cautiously predict EAGLES 31 SAINTS 26.

Follow me on Twitter: @President_Rob51 Instagram: @RMasusock