MNF (Monday night football) debriefing:
A slow first half where Jalen Hurts had 3 turnovers and the offense struggled significantly for the most part. 6 first half points were had by the Eagles to show for 2 Jake Elliott field goals. At this point in the NFL season, there seems to be little explanation for an offense that occupies so much salary cap to perform below the expected level of play. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had wrist surgery last Monday, and the D-Line almost made it a night to forget for him with 7 sacks on top of 11 hits on Herbert.
The offense is just difficult to watch at the moment. Going into Monday night, what felt like the Eagles’ best showing on offense in a few weeks resulted in just 19 points. Saquon broke one free for a 52-yard touchdown to start the 4th, and this touchdown felt like a momentum shifter. Hurts, at this point, had 3 interceptions and a fumble. Turnovers haven’t been a problem for the QB. However, his 4 interceptions brought his season total to only 6, so he can have the benefit of the doubt this time.
Late in the fourth quarter, Brown almost reeled in what would’ve been the touchdown to take a 23-16 lead with under 5 mins. However, Brown dropped Hurts’ best pass of the night which forced the Eagles to take 3. Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker tied the game on a field goal with under 10 seconds left to force overtime.
To even make it to overtime after turning the ball over 4 times is a blessing. Getting the ball second in overtime after holding the Chargers to 3 felt like such a win. The drive looked to be stalling out before Hurts connected with Devonta Smith on a beautifully timed cross route. They made some nice plays on defense to make up for the 5 turnover disaster offensively. 6 penalties for 53 yards with 3 holding calls, with a pivotal holding call on Jordan Mailata that called back an A.J. Brown touchdown late in the fourth quarter, forcing the Eagles to take 3. Steen got a first down run by Hurts called back, and Jurgens got bailed in overtime after a hold, pushing the Eagles to a do-or-die 3rd and 16. Left Guard Landon Dickerson left the game early with a left calf injury. The mistakes and injuries were stacking up against the Birds.
As the offense seemed to be finding their rhythm, Chargers defensive back Tony Jefferson picked off Jalen Hurts on a tip drill that sealed the game.
Where can they even go from here
Following an overtime loss to the Chargers in prime time, the Eagles are 8-5 through week 14, heading into week 15 as the 1st seed in the NFC (National football conference) East, and 3rd in the NFC. The team holds the 1 seed in the East, but there is a growing sense of uncertainty across the team and fans.
On one hand, the Birds seem to be comfortably into the playoffs with 4 weeks left to play. On the other hand, the Eagles are coming off 3 straight losses with horrible offensive showings in all of them.
An optimistic party might muse: these are good problems to have before the playoffs. Getting these issues settled and out of the way is crucial, so the Eagles’ best football can be played in January — not December. The defense is playing tough and continues to keep an inconsistent offense in close games. The “Bird Gang” on that side of the ball has been forcing turnovers, pressuring the quarterback and playing tough against the run. All components for playoff success.
The pessimistic perspective would point out: that Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo has been under heavy fire due to his playcalling and the lack of offensive success. Reports after the Eagles’ Black Friday loss to the Bears stated that Patullo had his house vandalized (teenagers throwing eggs) the Saturday following the game.
After watching Monday night, the offense might not even be the issue anymore. They performed Monday night even though they lost. It wasn’t the game plan that lost the game, it was the self-inflicted wounds.
Coming off their 2nd Super Bowl in a decade with a star-centered roster, the Eagles became a favorite early in the season. An 8-2 start was nice, but the issues were blaring with an inconsistent offensive scheme. Not to mention the drama in the locker room that took place. I’m one to look away from the drama, but it doesn’t look like A.J. Brown is running at a 100% anymore. His back-to-back 100 yard games both took place in losses, and his care for winning doesn’t seem to be where it used to.
11 out of the 13 contests the Eagles have been in ended in a one-score game. In those one-score games, they’re 7-4. It is clear that there are issues circulating on and off the field in Philadelphia. If the Eagles can’t fix those issues, they will continue to be in one-score games with teams that don’t belong on the same field as them. The struggles on a roster that just won a Superbowl together is respectably frustrating as the team can’t seem to find themselves down a pivotal stretch. There might not be a parade down Broad Street this year if the Birds keep relying on defensive masterclasses.
Although it would be fun to go back-to-back, this reality check could be what the team needs to reach a new level. With 2 more wins clinching a first-round home game, the Eagles will have the chance to respond to the critics.
It just might have to be a defensive masterclass with the chance of the offense showing up. It could be a busy postseason for Jake Elliott.
