The Blunder That Perfectly Represents the Philadelphia Eagles Defense
It’s not particularly difficult to find problems with the Philadelphia Eagles. The offense looked dreadful in Week 18 against the New York Giants, but one play on defense provided the…
It’s not particularly difficult to find problems with the Philadelphia Eagles. The offense looked dreadful in Week 18 against the New York Giants, but one play on defense provided the perfect microcosm of a 1-5 stretch to finish the 2023 regular season. Zach Cunningham and James Bradberry aren’t the root of the problem, but their failed tackle against Wan'Dale Robinson was painful to watch.
Robinson Embarrasses Eagles
It was a simple hitch route to a slot receiver with under 1000 receiving yards in his career. Robinson caught a pass from Tyrod Taylor about three yards off the line of scrimmage. Kevin Byard ultimately forced Robinson out of bounds after a 19-yard gain. Saquon Barkley scored a 3-yard touchdown on the next play.
The ineptitude of a collision between Cunningham and Bradberry summarized the embarrassment of a team that didn’t even put a fight with the NFC East on the line against a 5-11 team. The Eagles looked forward to the the return of Cunningham, their best linebacker in 2023. His health certainly didn’t help the defense in Week 18.
Bradberry had a career-best season in 2022, but Howie Roseman should now regret the decision to re-sign the 30-year-old cornerback.
Patricia, Defense Reeling
Wan'Dale Robinson also embarrassed Matt Patricia and the Eagles defense in the first quarter on a short slant route that went for 33 yards. Kevin Byard blitzed on the play, but his timing did nothing to disrupt Taylor. Robinson cruised through the middle of the field and juked Reed Blankenship with ease. He juked Bradberry but ultimately tripped on a play that could’ve gone for a longer gain.
The Eagles turned over primary control of the defense to Patricia in Week 15. Improvement should’ve been a given after they struggled against top NFL competition like the Cowboys, Chiefs, Bills, and 49ers. Instead, they’ve shown complete incompetence. The Giants and the Arizona Cardinals, two teams in the bottom tier of the NFL, have torched them in consecutive weeks.
Nick Sirianni and Matt Patricia will search for answers ahead of a matchup in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
