Eagles Offense Goes Stagnant In A 17-10 Loss: The Good And The Bad From A .500 Team
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots sacks Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on November 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Eagles fell to the Patriots on Sunday 17-10, and in the process dropped to 5-5 on the season. A hot start was quickly cooled off by the Patriots defense who held the Eagles offense to just 255 total yards of offense. The Eagles will now turn their attention to the Seattle Seahawks in a 1pm game that was flexed out of Sunday Night Football because this Eagles team has been so gross that they don’t deserve to be on Sunday Night Football. Lets take a look at the good, and the bad from Sunday’s tough loss
THE GOOD:
- The Defense: Many people, myself included, see chinks in the armor when it comes to Tom Brady this season. He’s been very good, just not Tom Brady level good and that led many people (once again, myself included) to think this could be a game primed for an Eagles win. While it wasn’t to be it certainly wasn’t for lack of effort from the defense. Jim Schwartz’ defense held the Patriots to just 17 points and 298 yards of total offense. Tom Brady failed to throw a TD pass for the first time since October 10th. While the defense didn’t force any turnovers they were all over Josh McDaniels offense. Ive been very critical of Jim Schwartz but his gameplan was tremendous today and it’s a shamed that it was ruined by an offense that is offensive.
- The Playoff Picture: I cant believe it either, but the Eagles are still in the playoff picture. So there’s that….
- The Announcers: First of all, its pathetic that I have to mention the announcers as the third thing in the “good” column but such is life. Honestly, im not a Tony Romo the announcer fan. But it wasn’t Chris Myers and it wasn’t Dick Stockton and because of that it was a win for everyone watching. Although you should be listening to the Green Zone with Tyrone Johnson and myself.
- JJ Arcega–Whiteside: He caught a football.
THE BAD:
- Carson Wentz: As I type this im wearing a Carson Wentz jersey. The anti-Wentz people make me wish I chose a career in accounting at times, but if im being fair he wasn’t good. Now he also didn’t have weapons, we all know this, but it was another game that came down to a Wentz drive to win the game and they didn’t deliver. Did that ball hit Agholor in the hands? Absolutely! Should he have caught it? That is, indeed, what he is paid to do. But they never should’ve been in a 4th and 10 situation in the first place. Carson’s accuracy was off this game as he failed to hit the few receivers who did get separation. The lone touchdown drive was in big part because the running game was gashing the Patriots defense. Wentz threw for 214 yards, 1 TD and completed just 50% of his passes thrown. You can make excuses for some individual plays on the offensive line, or receiver drops, but at times this game number eleven just wasn’t sharp and the second to last drive of the game was an example of it. Its not the end of the world, and as we just found out, even the greatest of all time can have a bad game from time to time. But Carson Wentz needed to come through today. He needed to lead the offense to more than 10 points. He needed to make chicken salad out of chicken s**t and he didn’t.
- The Offensive Line: Lane Johnson left with what we figure is a concusion. Jason Peters hobbled off the field. Jason Kelce had a costly bad snap when they were in field goal range towards the end of the first half that cost them points. And Issac Seumalo is still getting paid to be a turn style with incredible hair.
- Mike Groh: Mike Groh’s job before taking over as Eagles offensive coordinator was the wide receivers coach. That is his specialty. Not only is the offense offensive to watch, but the wide receivers are especially bad. Not one of them has improved and it leaves you with yet another hole that you will likely need to fill in the offeseason. Mike Groh is basically former Phillies pitching coach Chris Young. Not one pitcher got better under Young and not one receiver has gotten better under Groh.
- The Medical Staff: The Eagles have to be the only team in the NFL to come off the bye week and be less healthy than they were going in. Im starting to think the requirements to be an Eagles doctor is to have watched 3 seasons of “House MD.” And at least 1 season of E.R. The failure to rehabilitate injuries left you with a truly gross offense.
- Not Forcing Turnovers: Im including this because the Eagles should’ve had about four interceptions on Brady. But as I tweeted out (@pat_egan) you cant expect your secondary to catch the ball when your receivers cant do that and its literally what they are paid to do.
- Mack Hollins: Speaking of wide recievers who are paid to catch I will remind everyone that Mack Hollins has failed to catch a football in an NFL game since September 26th. But its ok because as the Eagles Facebook page will show you Mack Hollins has a great Eagles throwback jersey collection. In all seriousness what in the world does this guy get paid to do?!
- The NBA: A 3pm game during an NFL Sunday?! Seriously Adam Silver?! Ive got two TV’s but be better!
Pat is Philly through and through, having grown up in the Oxford Circle of Northeast Philadelphia. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School, and it was at CD that a teacher suggested he should pursue a career in sports radio. He worked his way up the ranks and joined the morning show in June of 2020. As a content creator for 97.5 The Fanatic he writes about Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers. Follow Pat on Twitter @Pat_Egan
Sign Up For The Fanatic MVP Insider Newsletter
Get the info you need on the Philly Sports landscape, events you need to know about, exclusive contests, 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.