PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Week 1 was not pretty for the Eagles, but it was a win, and you will take that. Week 2 was a disaster where they literally let an easy win slip through their fingers. Now they head into week 3, and it is hard to determine what to think of this team. While we try to figure out our own thoughts, let’s see what the national media thinks about them in the Week 3 Eagles Power rankings Roundup.
“Graham plans to retire after this season, but Philadelphia needs one more productive campaign out of him to bolster an edge rush group with some question marks.”
Brandon Graham is clearly not the guy he used to be. But sadly, he might be their best Edge rusher. I at least saw him get pressure a few times. Josh Sweat was a non factor, and Nolan Smith and Bryce Huff were somehow worse than non factors. Huff has slipped more times than he has pressured the QB. The pass rush is a major issue for this team.
“Hurts’ heroic night goes down as a loss. He showed emotion. He took over at times with his legs. There were clutch, on-schedule throws most of the evening. But Hurts’ final desperation ball was picked in the waning seconds, and Lincoln Financial Field was church quiet.”
I can’t put too much blame on Hurts. Yes, that pick to end the game was bad, but for the majority of the game I actually really liked what we saw out of him. He had his legs back and he made some clutch throws. He put the team in a position to win, and the defense blew it.
“That was a big-time choke late by the Eagles and head coach Nick Sirianni. Why did he throw it late? Then they let Kirk Cousins go the distance in just under a minute for the game-winner?“
He threw it because if Saquon catches that the Eagles win. It is as simple as that. The second question is fair. Kirk Cousins and old an injured QB found it way too easy not to pick this defense apart on that final drive. Imagine what it will look like if they play a great QB.
“They looked more comfortable in South America than they did in South Philly given the ways HC Nick Sirianni’s decision-making, RB Saquon Barkley’s hands, the secondary’s general “coverage” and QB Jalen Hurts’ game-sealing interception produced a collective failure Monday night.”
The air was taken out of this fanbase last night. It should have been a celebration, instead, it felt like a funeral for the fans walking back to their cars after that game. To have the win within your fingertips, literally, and let it slip, is hard to handle. You would almost rather they have just gotten their teeth kicked in from the start.
“The Eagles’ loss on Monday night brought up bad memories of blowing games late last season. Maybe the Eagles should have taken the points early instead of going for it on fourth-and-4 from the 9-yard line? Either way, the defense made it look way too easy for Kirk Cousins on that final drive.“
There are a lot of what ifs in this situation. But the Yahoo Sports writer is right, it comes down to that final drive on defense, that simply cannot happen. It can’t be that easy.
“It’s a game of inches, right? If Saquon Barkley hadn’t dropped Jalen Hurts’ swing pass with 1:46 remaining, the Eagles would be 2-0. But now they have to try to shake off a painful loss before visiting a red-hot Saints team in New Orleans.“
The Saints look like the best team in Football right now. They tore apart the Panthers and Cowboys defense. With this defense being so out of sorts, they are not the team you want to see coming in. If their pass rush continues to get no pressure, it could be a long day on Sunday.
“After racing out to a 10-1 start last year, the Eagles collapsed, losing five of six before getting hammered in Tampa in the Wild Card round. The Philly team that somehow lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night looked a lot like that team.”
It is impossible to not draw that comparion. The shadow of the 2023 season is going to continue to loom over this team until they give us reason to forget it. And that defense at the end of the game looked exactly like the defense did last year.
Dylan MacKinnon is The Digital Content Coordinator For 97.5 The Fanatic. he has been an Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Flyers fan his whole life. He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors in Journalism. Dylan has worked at the Fanatic since 2016, starting as an Intern, moving to the Street team, and eventually was hired as an Associate Producer before settling into his current role in the Digital Department. You may hear him referred to on-air as "The D-Train."
Get The XTU Nation Insider Newsletter In Your Inbox
Enjoy the latest Country music & entertainment news, Philly happenings you need to know, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
