Sunday afternoon's game against the Lions was a difficult one for the Eagles.
Quarterback Michael Vick and the offense were unable to capitalize in the red zone and turnovers again hurt the team in a 26-23 overtime loss that sent the Eagles into the bye week with a 3-3 record.
"We put ourselves in a position to win games and we don't finish," Vick said following the game. "It's hard to decipher what mistakes are being made and what's going on. This is the ultimate team game and I can't pinpoint what's going on in the moment. I have to go back and watch it and assess it myself, but I think the bottom line is we had our chance to win this game."
While several of Vick's numbers were impressive - he was 28-of-46 for 311 yards and two touchdowns; he also had two interceptions. He also had a miscommunication with center Dallas Reynolds that resulted in a botched snap that was recovered by the Lions. Vick vowed to continue working on eliminating these mistakes.
"I'm just going to continue to work on ball security as much as I can," he said. "Limit the interceptions, limit the fumbles and just have to keep this football team ahead on the scoreboard. That's my primary goal at the end of the day."
The game was a back-and-forth affair for much of the afternoon. But in the middle of the fourth quarter Vick hit a wide open Jeremy Maclin for a 70-yard touchdown to take a 23-13 lead with 5:18 left in the contest. The Lions scored 10 unanswered points before sending the game into overtime.
The Eagles started overtime with the ball, but Vick was sacked twice within the shadow of the Eagles' goal line. The Lions took the short field following a punt and drove 23 yards to kick the game-winning field goal.
"It's very frustrating," Vick said of the opening possession in overtime. "That's our shot. That's our opportunity and it changed the dynamics of the game. After the first possession, a field goal wins the game. These sorts of things just can't happen. We all have to do our jobs and be accountable. We didn't get it done on offense."
The Eagles will head into the bye week before facing the undefeated Atlanta Falcons at home. According to Vick, the bye comes at a perfect time. The week off gives players a chance to rest their bodies, but going into the week in this manner forces players to take a look at their own play through six games.
"I think we need it," Vick said. "I think we all need to look in the mirror and figure out what we can all do individually to make sure we maximize our opportunities to win football games. At the end of the day you can say whatever you want to say, but the only thing that matters is winning and losing. And I know I give it everything I have. We all do."
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