Despite his status as the winningest coach in Eagles history, fans were calling for Reid’s job on Sunday.

It was game, set and match for the Eagles 2011 season last night at the Linc when the Eagles were routed by the New England Patriots, 38-20 dropping their record to 4-7.

While the Eagles may be mathematically alive for the playoffs, only a miracle of Biblical proportions can save this season.

Full throat boos reigned down on the field from fans who feel their team has let them down on every level.

At one point in the third quarter the home crowd actually got organized enough to chant “Fire Andy.”

No one in the press box could remember any coach since Joe Kuharich – who coached a much less talented Eagles team from 1964-68 – that had the Philadelphia faithful calling for the coach to be fired.

In a moment of unintentional dark humor, the giant screens on both ends of the stadium featured a video of a pumped up Juqua Parker imploring the crowd to “scream louder” while the crowd howled for head coach Andy Reid to be removed. “Surreal” is the word that came to mind at that moment.

No player denied hearing the chants.

“Yeah I did,” defensive end Trent Cole said. “It ain’t bothering us and it ain’t Andy either. He doesn’t have to worry about them.”

Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said he felt bad for his coach taking so much blame for the season when he felt it was the players who were at fault.

“It’s tough because Coach Reid has taken a lot of heat for a team game,” Jenkins said. “A lot of stuff we’re doing out there…(lack of) effort, missed tackles, dropped balls, missed assignments…those are the things that are on us. You can put us in the best position out there but if you can’t make a tackle, if you can’t catch a ball, if you can’t do your assignment, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter who your coach is. It’s on us as players really.”

Reid said he was too into the flow of the game to pay attention to chants but when told of the fans voicing their displeasure with him, he said he did not blame them for their anger.

“I really don’t hear much down there [on the field],” Reid said. “I didn’t hear it. The way we played, I can understand.”

It could be argued that the crowd was harder on a player that used to own this city.

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson dropped two touchdown passes. While that in itself is not that bad, it is apparent the disgruntled receiver is not focused on helping the Eagles win games.

His contract situation coupled with his fear of getting hurt before he gets a new one has turned Jackson into a scared football player. It really showed on Sunday.

Jackson said was not sure why Reid benched him at the end of the game but admitted he did not play well.

“As a player, I am upset about it,” said Jackson who caught four passes for 73 yards but was targeted 10 times. “It wasn’t one of my best games. As far as a couple of plays, I thought I could have had them, but at the end of the day, I didn’t come up with them. I have to move on and make better plays. I know I am a better receiver, there are no excuses behind that, but I just didn’t have my best game today. It’s frustrating, but I have to figure it out.”

When asked about Jackson’s performance, Reid simply replied. “He has to do a better job.”

The Eagles bolted out to a 10-0 and actually led after the first quarter 10-7.

But it was all Patriots after that.

Wes Welker was the Eagles No. 1 tormenter, scorching the Birds secondary for 115 yards on eight catches and two touchdowns.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady rebounded from a tough first quarter to finish with 361 yards on 24 of 34 passing, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His quarterback rating was a ridiculous 134.6.

Deion Branch was just as outstanding coming up with six catches for 125 yards as was the Patriots Robocop tight end Rob Gronkowski who caught four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles were led by Jason Avant who caught eight passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Aggravating Eagles fans even further were the stats recorded by running back LeSean McCoy, who entered the game as the leading rusher in the NFL.

McCoy could only muster 31 yards on ten carries.

Quarterback Vince Young, subbing for the injured Mike Vick posted numbers that were deceiving to say the least.
Young was 26 of 48 for 400 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He was sacked twice.

Cole, who failed to record a single tackle much less a sack, seemed to be in shock after the game.

“Yes it is very tough,” It’s hard to grasp. I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless about it but me, as a professional football player, I’ve been taught to move forward. I’ve (always) been here playing under Andy and been taught to move on to the next game and execute…take it out on the next game. So, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Patriots’ longtime offensive tackle Matt Light said any time a team misses a crucial opportunity; it is hard for a team not to lose confidence, even for pros.

“On a critical fourth down situation, it is a turning point for your team,” Light said. “No doubt, no doubt.”

Cole still tried to keep a stiff upper lip about his team, despite the way the season has soured.

“I still believe we have a good team,” Cole said. “We have a lot of talent on this team and I think we will be alright. We’ll keep moving forward and see what happens.”

Reid refused to admit his team is out of the playoff hunt.

“Absolutely,” Reid said when asked if he still believed his team could make the playoffs. “None of us can predict the future and how things will go. There are a lot of different variables there, so you keep fighting. That’s what you do.”