The Eagles have no one to blame but themselves, but they won’t
There have been numerous opportunities for this Philadelphia Eagles squad to acknowledge their shortcomings and accept the blame, and for veterans to show leadership publicly. Unfortunately, the Eagles have left me lacking confidence in them in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I also don’t feel the least bit of guilt over it. I’ve always been the blind loyalist when it comes to the Birds, but these things leave me concerned about tonight.
The Jalen Hurts- A.J. Brown Seattle Fiasco
Two guys go rogue and pass up the chance for an easy 10-yard completion to put them into range for a tying field goal. Instead, they play a selfish version of hero ball trying to win the game on a far lower percentage play. We all know how that ended.
The disappointing part was neither was willing to step up and acknowledge they did it until AJ exposed it a few weeks later. Then Jalen condescendingly mocked the media for “what you don’t know” instead of taking responsibility. That weakness raises reg flags for me.
The Defensive Coordinator Mess
Sean Desai didn’t have many answers for the issues that plagued the team from the opener against the New England Patriots. He was eventually demoted, and Matt Patricia was supposed to fix things mid-stream. Things haven’t gotten better, and considering the opposition they lost to, it is far worse now than it was at Thanksgiving.
The Biggest Collapse by a 10-Win Team Ever
They lost in a blowout at home to the 49ers, a mistake-filled defeat at Dallas before the disastrous decision to improvise in Seattle. Those three losses not only created distress in the standings but in the locker room. Fletcher Cox admitted he was scared of what he was observing. Now, the Eagles find themselves 11-6 in an NFC Wild Card position.
“Veteran leadership”: Quiet as a Mouse
Instead of having the biggest veterans publicly acknowleding the reasons for the collapse, you get Brandon Graham talking about silencing the doubters. The doubters have every reason to exist, but with the veterans obviously not being able to stop the downward spiral, it’s hard to be confident.
What I’m Expecting
The Eagles will be without A.J. Brown in Tampa. They’re getting Darius Slay back. The defense certainly needs much more of a helping hand than the offense. I’ll lean on the last game these two played for guidance.
The Birds will rely on their running game and tight end Dallas Goedert to play keep-away from the Buccaneers. Last time the Eagles controlled the ball for 38:55 of possession. This time they will contain a hampered Baker Mayfield and run the ball right at Devin White. I’m expecting one more week of Eagles football, so dare to dream!
EAGLES 27 BUCCANEERS 17
Things are everchanging.
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) January 10, 2024
“Do I think Nick Sirianni is going to be out of there if they lose Monday night?
No.
Do I recognize that these things can change?
I do.”
- @AdamSchefter via @975JKShow
📸Ronald Martinez/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/B9ZCnhXdVf
Watch The John Kincade Show live 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)
