The New Slim Shady

Will the Real Nick Foles Please Stand Up?

Philly's new gunslinger? Or one-hit wonder? (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Never heard of Nick Foles? You must have missed the Raiders game last Sunday. What I'm saying is, you wouldn't be alone.

The Philadelphia QB is turning heads due to a recent performance in Oakland, and for good reason. On the day, Foles tied an NFL record by throwing seven touchdowns in the game to go with over 400 yards and a perfect passer rating of 158.3. The feat solidified his name on a list with Y.A. Tittle, George Blanda, and Peyton Manning, among other NFL greats.

It was only his 9th NFL start.

So how did Nick Foles, in his second-year out of Arizona, end up in a cohort that, between them, has earned 8 championships, 13 MVPs, and 2 Hall of Fame inductions? (3 if you count Manning's eventual entry.)

Where does he rank on that list of legends? Is he the answer in Philadelphia? In a weak division, can the Eagles rally and make a push for the playoffs under his leadership? And, oh yea... who is Nick Foles again?

I'm glad you asked.

Hi! My name is (tcka tcka) Nick Foles
(Yong Kim/Philly.com)

Foles started at QB for over two seasons in college and amassed a career record of 17-18. That's wins and losses, not passes completed and attempted. He led the Arizona Wildcats to two bowl berths (both losses) in which he threw 4 interceptions and only one touchdown. His QBR in those two games: 31.5 and 1.4.

He was drafted by the Eagles in the 3rd round of the 2012 draft and made his first appearance in relief of a concussed Michael Vick in Week 10 of last season. The coaching staff felt he was more effective than Vick, and Foles went on to start the next six games. He went 1-5.

This year, Andy Reid is out, Chip Kelly and his high-flying offense are in, but things remain pathetically similar in Philadelphia. A 1-3 start put Vick's starting job on the line again. According to the press release, an injured hamstring forced the 33-year-old from the game against the New York Giants, and for the second straight year, Nick Foles entered in relief.

This year, however, he won. Not only that, but he won the next week, too. Impressively. In his first start this year Foles threw for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns, with no interceptions.

The following week against Dallas, Foles went 11 for 29 with only 80 yards and no touchdowns before being knocked from the game with a concussion.

Chip Kelly was again forced to consider his QB dilemma. Vick's hamstring was iffy and third-string QB Matt Barkely had committed four turnovers in his first four possessions, so there were not many other options. Still many felt like Foles earned the job due to his strong performances against... winless teams.

So when he was medically cleared to return, the Eagles tabbed Foles as the starter and put the ball in his hands. They faced Oakland that week.

The rest is history.

(Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The annihilation of the Raiders brought Nick Foles' record as an NFL starter up to 3-6. It was his first win to come against a team other than the Buccaneers.

He has not always had the support of a great team around him: the Eagles are 8-17 since he joined the team in 2012. But he himself has not exactly been consistent. In his three wins, he has thrown 14 touchdowns, with zero interceptions, and enjoyed a passer rating of 122.2. But in his six losses, he has equaled his 5 touchdowns with 5 pics, and amassed a rating of just 68.25.

So who is the real Nick Foles?

The simple answer is: the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles for this Sunday. Coach Chip Kelly declined to comment beyond that. If Nick Foles has an idea of keeping the role when Vick is healthy again, he needs to stand up and prove that last week's record-setting performance was no fluke.

So Nick Foles, the real Nick Foles, please stand up, and show us all who is just imitating.

Or you just might lose yourself, and your job.