NFL

Chip Kelly seems distracted by media, Eagles’ players do not

Chip Kelly seems distracted by media, Eagles’ players do not
Getty Images

There have been a lot of interesting Eagles headlines during the last two weeks, and not many of them have been about the Eagles preparations for the Patriots and Bills, their last two opponents.

From stories about a handshake snub, to coaching rumors, to every kind of NFL gossip ESPN drools over, the Eagles have dealt with it all. And they’ve won back to back games.

“A lot of it to me is tabloid journalism,” Chip Kelly said after Sunday’s 23-20 win over Buffalo.”They are trying to stretch things out that don’t matter to us… when people want to make up fake stories, people are trying to get twitter hits or things like that and make themselves significant when s***doesn’t happen.”

And while Chip Kelly is feeling the heat as he deals with reporters four times a week, the players have been able to tune it out.

“I think that’s been what’s been really special about this team and this group for the last two weeks,” Sam Bradford said Sunday.”There has been a lot of noise from outside the building, especially after the Thanksgiving Day game. It doesn’t seem to affect us. I think everybody has done a great job of staying focused and not letting any of that add anything extra to the game. I thought our preparation was great, to go out there and get another team win tonight is huge.”

RELATED LINK: 3 reasons the Eagles beat the Bills

The drama did not seem to unfold like the pundits hoped, as a frustrated and angry LeSean McCoy stormed into the visitor’s locker room without giving his former coach the chance for an embrace.

He also refused to talk to the media following the game, saying he didn’t have anything to say.

The Eagles defense held the former Birds’ running back and all-time franchise rushing leader in check. Even with some pretty potent trash talk.

“I think I started it off this time,” safety Malcolm Jenkins said of bantering with his former teammate.”Shady is never lost for words.”

With the win, the Eagles still hold their fate in their hands, and if they can continue to ignore off-field distractions and take care of business against the Cardinals, Redskins and Giants in Week’s 15, 16 and 17, they’ll win the NFC East.

“For us to control out own destiny, to not have to depend on anyone else — I think that’s all you can ask for,” Bradford said.