Eagles Warts Exposed In Playoff Ouster

Before the NFL playoffs, we stated that the Eagles could beat any team in the field and lose to any team.

Well, the second part proved accurate.

Once again showing why it is so difficult to defend a Super Bowl title, the Eagles unceremoniously saw their season come to end with a 23-19 home wild card loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

This was a 49ers team that was banged up and lost Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle early in the game with an Achilles injury.

The Eagles were done in by an inconsistent offense, something that was a year-long problem.

AJ Brown had some key drops and one has to wonder if this may have been his final game.

There will be plenty of time to discuss this subject later.

This was the Eagles third loss in the wild-card round in five seasons under head coach Nick Sirianni.

Of course, the other two seasons resulted in Super Bowl appearances, losing in the 2022 season and winning the 2024 season.

Of course, earning a playoff berth in each of Sirianni’s first five seasons, is a notable feat, but it won’t stop many fans from calling for the Eagles’ head coach’s job.

One thing that is undeniable is that the offense can’t sputter like this next season.

Jalen  Hurts had a poor performance. He completed 20-of-35 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. His passer rating was just 79.2.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Hurts wasn’t helped by the drops by Brown and another key one (on a ball thrown a little high) by DeVonta Smith.

Still, Hurts used to put so much pressure on defenses by running the ball. Against San Francisco, he had just five carries for 14 yards.

The Eagles defense allowed San Francisco to average just 3.0 yards per carry and Quinyon Mitchell intercepted Brock Purdy twice.

Still, the defense surrendered two Christian McCaffrey touchdown receptions in the fourth quarter, when the Eagles were outscored, 13-3.

This all happened at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles have been far from invincible.

Due to injuries, the 49ers had an anemic pass rush, but in the wild-card game, both teams recorded just one sack.

The Eagles’ inability to sack the quarterback against San Francisco was a weak point of a defense that played like one of the best in the NFL, especially toward the second half of the season.

One other key factor in the game is that the 49ers’ future Hall of Fame tackle Trent Williams played after being sidelined in the regular season finale, and Eagles future Hall of Fame tackle Lane Johnson wasn’t able to go.

There is no doubt that there will be big changes before next season.

The Eagles have never been a team that stood pat even in good times.

Right now, these aren’t good times for a franchise that has three Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl wins over the past nine seasons, including this one.

The Eagles were simply too inconsistent this year and it caught up to them against a shorthanded 49ers team that played with great heart and was rewarded at least another week of football.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are heading into what should be a very long offseason.