Eagles Looking To Bounce Back From Rare Loss
Sure, this gives great fodder this week for the Philadelphia sports-talk community.
That’s not to suggest that the 8-3 Eagles don’t have concerns.
Sunday’s 24-21 loss in Arlington, Texas against the Dallas Cowboys pointed out some familiar flaws.
The offense, which jumped to a 21-0 lead, didn’t score a single point in the second half. The defense, that was considered unbeatable, allowed 473 yards against Dallas.
Plus the Eagles committed a season-high 14 penalties.
Let’s remember, Dallas has strong offense.
But to score no points in their last six possession has to be a concern.
The Eagles threw the ball 39 times and only ran it on 18 occasions.
It was only last year that this was considered a running team.
While the offensive line hasn’t played nearly as well, the Eagles have to run the ball more.
Even when Dallas was down 21-0, the Cowboys didn’t abandon the running game.
Saquon Barkley only had 10 carries (for just 22 yards) against Dallas. The Eagles have to get him and the running game going if they want to repeat as Super Bowl champ.
One positive was AJ Brown, who has drawn his share of attention over his unhappiness with his role in the offense. Brown was targeted 10 times, with eight receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown.
The theory going out there that he can’t beat man-to-man coverage went up in smoke against the Cowboys.
Sure, Dallas played a lot of zone, but when Brown was in man-to-man situations, he was coming out on top. A slant pattern to Brown is still a sure way to get a first down. Eagles fans have to hope that Brown pipes down and just keeps playing.
The Eagles are a game behind the Los Angeles Rams (9-2) for the NFC’s best record, but they have also beaten the Rams in case they tie for the best record.
Still, remember last year, the Eagles didn’t have the best regular season record, which awards the lone bye in each conference, and still had enough to win the Super Bowl.
Now the Eagles host a Black Friday game against the Chicago Bears (8-3).
Who would have thought the Bears and Eagles would have the same record through 11 games?
Chicago is on a roll.
The Bears have won four in a row and eight of their last nine games.
Seven of their wins have come against teams with a current sub .500 record. The lone victory against a winning team was the most recent one—Sunday’s 31-28 over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, who are now 6-5.
What the Bears are doing is winning close games.
Six of the wins are by five or fewer points.
Under first-year coach Ben Johnson, second-year quarterback Caleb Williams is beginning to reach the potential that made him the first overall selection of the 2024 NFL draft.
This season he is completing 59.2 percent of his passes for 2,568 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for 293 yards (5.2 avg.) and three touchdowns.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will no doubt attempt to confuse the second-year quarterback.
This game may be more challenging than originally expected, but it will also be a chance for the Eagles to bounce back.
Photo courtesy of Eagles Twitter/X
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Author: Marc Narducci
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