The Philadelphia Eagles Played Like A Bunch Of Goddamn Idiots And Got Exactly What They Deserved
Michael Reaves. Getty Images.The moment it was announced that Case Keenum would be starting this game, you knew this game was going to be a mess. This is a guy who has been waiting since January of 2018 to get his revenge against the Eagles. He's older, he's more mature, he can read the shit out of the defense before the snap, and he's looking to get the ball out of his hands as soon as possible. That's the recipe to dice up this Eagles defense.
But the penalties on defense were back breakers. Not totally unexpected, and some could definitely fall under the category of "ticky tacky". But it's pretty obvious right now that this defense can't get home to the quarterback, can't take the ball away, and will take penalties if they ever find themselves slightly out of position. We've had 3 weeks to watch this defense play and all they've shown us so far is that they don't get killed by the deep ball. That's pretty much it. Besides Quinyon Mitchell, they don't anybody capable of making a play when they absolutely have to make one.
Speaking of not being able to make a play, let's talk about the Eagles offense--primarily in the 3rd quarter. This is the 3rd week in a row now where this offense has looked completely lost in the 3rd quarter. I don't know if Nick Sirianni is just the worst halftime speaker on planet Earth. I don't know if Sean Mannion can't figure out how to game plan after the first 2 quarters. I don't know if the team just straight up quits.
But the Eagles had 4 drives against Washington in the 3rd quarter of week 1. They went 3&out in the first 3 of them, and then ended up with a field goal in the 4th drive. They had 3 drives against Tennessee in the 3rd quarter of week 2. They went 3&out in 2 of them, and ended with a field goal in the other. They had 4 drives against the Bears tonight in the 3rd quarter. They went 3&out in 3 of them, and the 4th ended with an interception. 11 drives in the 3rd quarter this year, eight of them have been 3&out, 1 ended with a pick, and 2 field goals. Holy fuck that is bad.
It just completely kills the game. Jalen Hurts put on a goddamn clinic to end that 2nd quarter. It was the type of drive that made you feel so incredibly lucky to have one of the biggest winners in sports leading your team.
But they couldn't get a single thing going in the 2nd half. Just constantly facing 3rd and long situations. It's almost as if Sean Mannion forgets that DeVonta Smith exists after halftime. Just throw the ball to 6 every chance you get, and good things are going to happen more often than not.
The offense looked like shit after halftime. Andy Dalton looked like shit the only chance he got to play, and hopefully that's the last time we ever see Andy Dalton take the field in an Eagles uniform. The defense played like shit all night. I'm convinced Vic Fangio was just doing crossword puzzles all night. The NFL blatantly robbed 6 points off the board from the Eagles by putting Jalen Hurts in concussion protocol. The whole game was a disaster, but you knew that's what you were going to get when Case Keenum was announced as the starter. I guess I just leave tonight feeling thankful that Patrick Robinson put an end to what could have been another big Case Keenum game back in the 2017 NFC Championship Game. Because had we gotten that performance out of Case Keenum back then, this franchise would look so much different.
Horrible loss. A lot of serious flaws with this team. But there is still plenty of time for the pieces to fall into place and for everything to click.