The Eagles quarterback tied an NFL record, throwing for seven touchdown passes — one more touchdown pass than the amount of incompletions he had during the game (six). He threw for 406 yards and his QB Rating for the game was perfect 158.3, and his Total QBR was a 99.1. Just absolutely absurd numbers.
After his stellar performance, it seems as if Chip Kelly has finally found the right quarterback to lead his fast-paced offense. Foles may not be a threat in the running game like Michael Vick is, but he makes the Eagles offense a more balanced attack.
When Vick is in the game, the Eagles are a run-first offense. The run-first philosophy has had its up and downs this year. For example, in Week 1 against the Washington Redskins, LeSean McCoy ran rampant for 184 yards in a win. On the other hand, in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos, McCoy was held to 73 yards in the loss.
With Foles in the game, the Eagles offense is more versatile and balanced. Foles is a better passer than Vick, and Chip Kelly has been putting him in the perfect position to succeed.
In the three games Foles has gotten the majority of the snaps, the Eagles are 3-0. On the season, Foles has thrown for 13 touchdowns and 0 interceptions while completing 63 percent of his passes for 1,028 yards. The most important of those statistics is actually the smallest number, zero.
Foles hasn’t turned the ball over this year, which may be his best attribute. He always seems to be in control in the pocket and rarely forces throws. Mike Vick and Matt Barkley, the other two Eagles quarterbacks to get time this year, have combined to throw for seven interceptions.
With Foles in the game, teams can’t put eight men in the box to stop the run like they could against Vick. The Eagles offense turns from a run-first offense to a very balanced attack, which is much more difficult to defend. In the game against Oakland, Philly ran the ball 24 times and threw it 31 times.
Heading into the season, the Eagles had a legitimate QB competition. It took nine weeks, some injury issues and a long feeling-out process, but it looks like Kelly may have finally found his quarterback of the future.
His name is Nick Foles.
[Standing O Sports]
