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Can Mark Sanchez keep the Eagles in playoff contention? – Metro US
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Can Mark Sanchez keep the Eagles in playoff contention?

Can Mark Sanchez keep the Eagles in playoff contention?
Charles Mostoller

Ready or not, it’s time for the Sanchize (also known as the “butt fumbler,” or a $9 million backup quarterback).

With Sam Bradford out for at least the Eagles’ next two games (Sunday at home against the Buccaneers and Thanksgiving in Detroit), Mark Sanchez will step into the QB1 role for the Eagles.

There is no official word on when Bradford will return to the field after he suffered anAC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder and a concussion in Philly’s Week 10 loss to the Dolphins.

Sanchez led the Eagles last year ten times, filling in for Nick Foles and going 5-5. In the Birds’ 20-19 loss to Miami, he gave the team several chances to win — but ultimately threw the game away with a costly end zone interception.

“I’m not thinking about last year,” Chip Kelly said after the loss.”I’m just thinking about today, and it hurt us. We’ll work around it, get with him in film and figure out what’s going on.”

Sanchez has been in South Philly all year long after singing a new contract in the spring. He’s worked with every player on the roster in practice and has relationships with many stretching back to last season.

“It’s my job to go in and there should be a seamless transition,” Sanchez said.”And I thought at times there was. At other times, I’m sure can we get a little more familiar, of course. Is that only going to get better with repetition and practice? Of course. But the point was just get in and win the game and unfortunately that didn’t happen. But we have a long season ahead of us and we just have to be ready to play.”

RELATED LINK: Glen Macnow says Chip Kelly’s play-calling cost the team yet again

The former Jet and USC alum threw for 156 yards, completing 14 of 23 passes Sunday and looked to have some slight communication issues.

“I thought he played well,” DeMarco Murray said.”We perimeter players and running backs have to give him some bigger plays to help him settle down. I thought he did well for the most part.”

“Everyone gets reps, so with Sanchez coming in, it really didn’t bother us as much,” Josh Huff said.”Obviously, losing a great leader like Sam Bradford hurts.”

The Eagles are still in the thick of things in the race for the NFC East. With New York dropping to 5-5 after their loss to New England Sunday, Philly still trails by half a game.

The Buccaneers come to town for a 1 p.m. game next week while the Giants rest for their bye.

“With a full week of preparation with the first team, he can come out and give us a great game against the Bucs,” Jordan Matthews said.