FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - We'll find out in a game if the Eagles favored Darren Sproles and Kenjon Barner over DeMarco Murray because, as Chip Kelly claimed on Sunday, the Patriots have a "big group of linebackers."
But for one game, at least, Murray was demoted and it's difficult not to view the decision in the prism of the Eagles coach sending a clear message. Not only did Kelly cut severely into Murray's playing time, but he also benched the underperforming Miles Austin for rookie Jonathan Krause.
The Eagles toppled the mighty Patriots, 35-28, more so because of special teams and their defense.