NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles have lost 2 straight games after their defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints Sunday afternoon. While the fingers will point in the direction of QB Gardner Minshew and injuries, the truth is, the Eagles could not figure out an offensive gameplan that worked.
As one of the best rushing teams in the league, the Eagles continued to ignore their identity. Against the Saints, the Eagles managed 67 yards on just 15 attempts. What’s worse is that they allowed a Saints team led by Andy Dalton to control the clock, once again. This loss will be a hard one to swallow as the Eagles continued to shoot themselves in the foot.
With the NFC East and No. 1 seed on the line, the Eagles came out flat and never got their footing in the game. While the absence of Jalen Hurts, Josh Sweat, Lane Johnson, Avonte Maddox, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson will be used as an excuse, the Eagles were still the better team on the field. On paper that is. But here they are, 2 straight losses, and with each of them giving a chance to take that next step to a SB run. Now, they have to go back to the drawing board and figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.
First things first, get back to what made you the best team in the NFL before the collapse began. Why is Miles Sanders in the game if he’s not going to be used? The same goes for Kenneth Gainwell. The playcalling in the Saints’ game was atrocious at best. There is no way they can head into the final game of the season against the New York Giants with the same approach.
Having Hurts in the lineup will change things but if he’s not, they can’t continue to plan as if Hurts is under center. The RPO is great for a player like Hurts but it works in the defense’s favor when Minshew is under center. For the 2nd straight game, there were times when Minshew could have tucked the ball and ran, but he elected not to. If Hurts was in there, it’s a different story. So, why not devise a plan that fits Minshew’s talents?
Can The Philadelphia Eagles Fix Their Issues?
In just 2 starts this season, Minshew has thrown 3 interceptions. The Eagles as a unit are still turning the ball over at the wrong times. While turnovers are a part of the game, the Eagles have self-destructed in crucial moments. Getting the ball in the right hands is not just the QBs’ job, but also that of the OC.
With Hurts in, 5 yards on less on either 3rd downs or 4th was almost a given. However, with Minshew at the helm, the Eagles are clearly not the same team but the play-calling is still the same. Where does it stop? At what point do they realize they are not playing with the same personnel?
As they head into their final game of the season against the Giants, the Eagles must take a hard look at the plays and figure out when and where certain calls will work. If running the ball on 1st and 2nd down gives you a 3rd and 1, why would you have the QB roll out of the pocket and attempt a pass? These are the little things that have cost them wins against the Cowboys and now the Saints.
The Philadelphia Eagles are heading to the playoffs regardless of what happens against the Giants. The team is still the best in the NFC but if they can’t figure out their playcalling, the Eagles could very well be one and done. As it’s been stated in NFC circles, the only team really capable of beating this Eagles team, are the Eagles themselves. And for the past 2 weeks, they have done just that.
