Eagles Hit Their Lowest Point, Can They Rebound?
It’s been a constant theme this season that the Eagles aren’t out of the running for the postseason although there are plenty jumping off the bandwagon after Sunday’s 48-7 loss at New Orleans.
While the Saints look like they could be Super Bowl bound, the defending Super Bowl champs are a struggling group.
This was the largest margin of defeat ever for a defending Super Bowl champion.
The reason why the Eagles (4-6) remain in the playoff hunt is that the NFC East is so weak. Washington owns a two-game lead over the Eagles and one-game advantage over Dallas. The Redskins still must play the Eagles twice and just lost quarterback Alex Smith with a fractured right leg.
Dallas has an impressive defense, but the inconsistency of quarterback Dak Prescott makes the Cowboys vulnerable. The New York Giants (3-7) have won two in a row and will enter Lincoln Financial Field against the Eagles on Sunday with renewed confidence.
So counting the Eagles out would be premature. And even if the Eagles made the playoffs, would they stand a chance with so many holes.Article continues below
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The offense line, a major strength last season continues to struggle, especially with both tackles Lane Johnson and Jason Peters playing through injury.
The running game is subpar although rookie Josh Adams who gained 53 yards and a TD on seven carries against the Saints, continues to impress. Whether his role will be expanded remains to be seen.
The receivers still have trouble getting separation, especially deep. The Eagles knew they were in trouble when tight end Zach Ertz, who entered the game with 75 receptions on 100 targets, had just two catches (for 15 yards) on three targets.
Maybe other teams will also try to take Ertz away and make others beat them.
Sounds like a sound strategy.
Carson Wentz had his worst game ever, completing 19 of 33 for 156 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. His passer rating was a puny 31.9.
Despite these struggles the really rough edges are on defense. Injuries have claimed all the secondary starters expect Malcolm Jenkins.
The Saints Drew Brees had a field day, completing 22 of 30 for 363 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 153.2 passer rating. He wasn’t sacked while Wentz went down three times.
This week’s game with the Giants will likely tell where the Eagles are headed. The Eagles beat the Giants, 34-13 in their first meeting and the game wasn’t even that close. The Eagles thoroughly dominated New York and the narrative following that game was that the Eagles finally looked like a defending Super Bowl champion.
That performance couldn’t be sustained.
It could very well be that the Eagles, especially with their secondary problems, just aren’t made for the postseason this year.
However, confidence comes and goes quickly in the NFL. Right now the Eagles don’t have the confidence or swagger of a year ago.
They have six games left and time is running out, even in a division that is still very much up for grabs.
© SouthJersey.com 2018. All rights reserved. This article or parts thereof may not be reprinted or reproduced by any other party without the express written consent of SouthJersey.com. For more information, please call 856-797-9910.
For more Local Sports features, visit our South Jersey Sports page.
While the Saints look like they could be Super Bowl bound, the defending Super Bowl champs are a struggling group.
This was the largest margin of defeat ever for a defending Super Bowl champion.
The reason why the Eagles (4-6) remain in the playoff hunt is that the NFC East is so weak. Washington owns a two-game lead over the Eagles and one-game advantage over Dallas. The Redskins still must play the Eagles twice and just lost quarterback Alex Smith with a fractured right leg.
Dallas has an impressive defense, but the inconsistency of quarterback Dak Prescott makes the Cowboys vulnerable. The New York Giants (3-7) have won two in a row and will enter Lincoln Financial Field against the Eagles on Sunday with renewed confidence.
So counting the Eagles out would be premature. And even if the Eagles made the playoffs, would they stand a chance with so many holes.
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The offense line, a major strength last season continues to struggle, especially with both tackles Lane Johnson and Jason Peters playing through injury.
The running game is subpar although rookie Josh Adams who gained 53 yards and a TD on seven carries against the Saints, continues to impress. Whether his role will be expanded remains to be seen.
The receivers still have trouble getting separation, especially deep. The Eagles knew they were in trouble when tight end Zach Ertz, who entered the game with 75 receptions on 100 targets, had just two catches (for 15 yards) on three targets.
Maybe other teams will also try to take Ertz away and make others beat them.
Sounds like a sound strategy.
Carson Wentz had his worst game ever, completing 19 of 33 for 156 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. His passer rating was a puny 31.9.
Despite these struggles the really rough edges are on defense. Injuries have claimed all the secondary starters expect Malcolm Jenkins.
The Saints Drew Brees had a field day, completing 22 of 30 for 363 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 153.2 passer rating. He wasn’t sacked while Wentz went down three times.
This week’s game with the Giants will likely tell where the Eagles are headed. The Eagles beat the Giants, 34-13 in their first meeting and the game wasn’t even that close. The Eagles thoroughly dominated New York and the narrative following that game was that the Eagles finally looked like a defending Super Bowl champion.
That performance couldn’t be sustained.
It could very well be that the Eagles, especially with their secondary problems, just aren’t made for the postseason this year.
However, confidence comes and goes quickly in the NFL. Right now the Eagles don’t have the confidence or swagger of a year ago.
They have six games left and time is running out, even in a division that is still very much up for grabs.
© SouthJersey.com 2018. All rights reserved. This article or parts thereof may not be reprinted or reproduced by any other party without the express written consent of SouthJersey.com. For more information, please call 856-797-9910.
For more Local Sports features, visit our South Jersey Sports page.
Author: Marc Narducci
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