SEATTLE – As has been the case too often in this Eagles' season, turnovers played a huge factor in Thursday night's 34-14 loss to Seattle.
Four Vince Young interceptions, three his fault and one not, led to 21 Seahawks points and helped drop the Eagles to 4-8.
"It has been that way all season," said wide receiver Jason Avant. "Too many mistakes."
The Eagles have turned the ball over a stunning 29 times this season, most in the NFL. They lost the turnover battle to the Seahawks on Thursday, 4-0, and are now minus-13 for the season.
It is one statistic that stands out and does a lot to explain the team's 4-8 record.
"Mistakes and turnovers," said defensive end Trent Cole. "That's been the story of our season."
Young's uneven night began with a mistake when he rolled right on the Eagles' first offensive play from scrimmage and threw down the right sideline for DeSean Jackson. The ball was late and, honestly, a poor decision as Jackson was covered by cornerback Kam Chancellor. Chancellor came back on the underthrown pass and made a diving interception, giving Seattle possession at its 40-yard line.
The Seahawks then charged up the crowd at CenturyLink Field, driving 60 yards in 5 plays to take the lead on Marshawn Lynch's 15-yard touchdown run. That sequence set the tone for the entire game: The Eagles were unable to sustain any offense and the Seahawks ran the ball effectively against Philadelphia's defense.
Young's second interception was not his fault, but it was a dagger for a team scratching to get back in the game. Training 17-7, the Eagles took the opening kickoff from the 25-yard line to the Seattle 37-yard line in 7 plays, hoping to get some momentum going. But on a third-and-10 play, Young threw a perfect pass to Riley Cooper on the left side and the ball went through Cooper's hands into the waiting arms of cornerback Brandon Browner at the Seahawks 15-yard line. Browner returned the interception 55 yards to the Philadelphia 30-yard line, and Seattle drove the rest of the way for a touchdown to give the Seahawks a 24-7 advantage.
Then, the final indignity, the last interception, came late in the fourth quarter with the Eagles desperately trying to rally. Trailing 24-14 and driving, Young threw to the left flat for LeSean McCoy. Linebacker David Hawthorne was right on McCoy, though, and intercepted the pass. Hawthorne returned the ball 77 yards for a touchdown as Young anguished on the sidelines.
