Player of the game, best quote and other Inky Awards
Here are the best, worst, odds and ends from Sunday's game in awards we call the Inky's:
Player of the game: Trent Cole roared back to life Sunday, notching three sacks, his first multi-sack game of the year. He added three hits on the quarterback and two tackles for a loss along and seven solo tackles. He had been quiet for a few weeks, but Cole provided a reminder of how important he is to the Eagles defense.
Most surprising stat line: When LeSean McCoy gets the ball 27 times, it usually means that Andy Reid is feeding him because the run is working and that Shady will break one off long. Instead, McCoy was held to just 38 yards, a 1.4 yard-per-carry average. His longest carry went for just 11. McCoy had chances this week, but after the game gave credit to the Dolphins defense for playing him tough.
Quote of the game: Asante Samuel showed a rare physical side when he punched the ball free from Davone Bess in the second quarter and recovered himself. "They might be steroid testing when I go back," he joked later.
Best bounce back game: Nate Allen has had two nightmarish weeks, but he made a couple of nice plays Sunday, helping break up two potential touchdowns. Once he came over from his safety spot to help stop a deep throw, and later he defended Brandon Marshall in the end zone, preventing a score on a play that had resulted in a touchdown earlier. Now the key is consistency.
Best bounce back, mid-game edition: Chas Henry started off about as badly as a punter can start, having his first kick blocked to set up a Miami touchdown. But he rebounded to average 46.6 yards on nine punts, both career highs. He put four punts inside Miami's 20, helping the defense on a day when the offense didn't generate much yardage.
Worst understudy: Safety Tom Nelson, signed to replace the injured Colt Anderson, showed he's got a ways to go to replace the special teams ace. The Eagles had a chance to down a well-placed punt inside the Miami five, but Nelson couldn't keep the ball out of the end zone and collided with teammate Curtis Marsh, preventing him from making the play too. The Dolphins got a touchback. There's only so many times you can strike gold with little-known free agents.
Strangest stat: Kurt Coleman now has five career interceptions, including four this year after picking off Matt Moore Sunday. But the pick here in Miami was his first that didn't come at FedEx Field, the home of the Redskins. Memo to Kurt: they'll like you even more at the Linc if you get one there.