Evaluating Matt Patricia After Eagles Loss Against Seahawks
Matt Patricia took over play-calling duties for the Philadelphia Eagles entering Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. A 20-17 loss broke the hearts of the Philadelphia fan base and continued the stunning plummet of the 2023 season. After the unexpected change on the coaching staff, how did the defense respond on Monday Night Football?
“I made the decision. I did what I thought I needed to do with the best interest of the football team. I feel like we made some adjustments there. I didn’t feel like we were playing well enough and coaching well enough on defense, so I made an adjustment. It was my decision.” –Nick Sirianni on the demotion of Sean Desai
Matt Patricia, Eagles Defense Against Seahawks
A struggling defense improved after dismal performances against the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys in which they allowed 75 combined points. Holding an opponent to 297 net yards and 20 points puts the offense in a position to win.
The Eagles fixed a key weakness by holding the Seattle offense out of the end zone on their only two red zone possessions. However, they failed to fix their Achilles heel when they allowed an offense led by Drew Lock to convert 6/14 third downs. He moved the sticks four times on third downs of at least 10 yards. His final two passes went for 34 yards to DK Metcalf and 29 yards to Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the game-winning touchdown.
The Seahawks made a halftime adjustment to incorporate more misdirection. The Eagles showed poor discipline in overpusrsuit, which was never more evident than a 23-yard touchdown run by Kenneth Walker.
.@Kenneth_Walker9 cuts back for a 23-yard TD!
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2023
📺: #PHIvsSEA on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/bbJNB6yPkz pic.twitter.com/Kp48DcMVsQ
Patricia rotated personnel in the secondary in the absence of Darius Slay. Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, and Josh Jobe held together until the final drive. Sydney Brown struggled with an overaggressive approach and poor tackling.
The pass rush didn’t impact the game enough. The defensive line recorded two sacks, but Seattle’s offensive game plan neutralized them for long stretches of the game.
Complementary Football
The loss doesn’t ultimately rest on the shoulders of Matt Patricia or a defense that allowed just 20 points. It rests on the shoulders of Jalen Hurts and an underwhelming offense and the inability of Nick Sirianni to react effectively with his team reeling.
After Jalen Carter came up with a key sack in the fourth quarter, the offense had a chance to capitalize and extend a 17-13 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
Instead, Hurts threw an interception on the fourth play of the ensuing drive. After the defense came up with another stop, the offense failed to milk the clock and seal the victory. A team that’s supposed to rely on its offensive talent couldn’t count on their best players at crucial times. Where was the complementary football?
No defensive coordinator, play-caller, or any other arbitrarily titled defensive coach would’ve changed that.
Watch The John Kincade Show on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
The Philadelphia Eagles Lost: Here Are Some Coping Strategies
Go On A Walk
Exercise is always a good way to get any icky and unwanted emotions out. If the weather is okay, take the time to go out for a walk. Fresh air will always do you a world of good.
Hang Out With Friends
Try not to talk about the loss, of course. Or do, it may be cathartic to get it out. Being in the company of others helps you work out your emotions about the disappointing loss.
Focus Another Team This Week
The 76ers season is going on. The Flyers have hit the ice. Express your fandom for another team! It’s not the same, I know. And you may fear yet another disappointment. But it’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. Sixers and Flyers play multiple games a week. Life goes on.
Unplug
I personally shut the TV off as soon as the final second ticks off the clock. You don’t want to see another team celebrate your team’s loss, so don’t. Avoid social media. There are far too many trolls who love to argue. Avoid national sports analysis TV shows. They’re never on our side, anyway. Don’t go looking for Eagles content on social media. Don’t wallow in the bad vibes.
Eat Your Favorite Foods
Make today your cheat day. Who cares? Food is yummy. Food makes things better. Fill that Eagles-loss-sized hole in your heart with a cheeseburger or some pasta. There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to something that makes you happy. Go ahead. Get the milkshake after dinner.
Remember Good Times
It’s hard, right? But this is how we’ve felt before and will feel again. Losses happen! There will always be good times to balance out the bad. They have always happened and there are always more to come. They are a good team. We can’t help but love them. They have amazing personalities and are dang good at what they do. Don’t forget Super Bowl LII.
