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 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.
Wan'Dale Robinson is not easy to square up...Slippery...Great job by Robinson to make two Eagles miss for a 19 yard gain to set up Saquon Barkley's second touchdown pic.twitter.com/NJUSHpkoXS
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) January 8, 2024
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.
Watch The John Kincade Show on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
Philadelphia Eagles Projected Starters: NFC Wild Card Round
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Julio Jones
Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Quez Watkins
Wide Receiver, #16
Southern Miss
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (200th overall) in 2020Dallas Goedert
Tight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Fletcher Cox
Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Zach Cunningham
Linebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)Shaquille Leonard
Linebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)Darius Slay
Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Avonte Maddox
Cornerback, #29
University of Pittsburgh
Drafted in 4th Round (125th overall) in 2018Kevin Byard
Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
