Special Teams Ace: P Braden Mann 7 – 388 – 55.4 (65)
****
I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: BILLS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Run Off-Guard: I was looking for 10 hand-offs in those gaps. Especially to the right. Instead, what we got was a lot of Center/Guard action and Pitch-Outs. We also went back to running from the Shotgun, for some reason. (NOT DONE)
TE Dallas Goedert catching the Eagles only TD of the game.
2) Exploit Our TE Mismatch:I said it would be a crime if TE Dallas Goedert(6 – 3 – 8 – 2.7 – 1) saw fewer than 6 targets and that’s exactly how many he saw. He also caught our only touchdown of the game. (DONE)
3) Mush the Rush: The Eagles held the number one rushing team in football (170 rushing yards per game) to 120 yards, on a slick and rainy field. The plan was never to “shut down”the Bills run game, just contain it, and we did an excellent job of that. (DONE)
4) Move Their QB’s Platform Left:We didn’t do a whole lot of this, but we did it when it mattered most: During their two point attempt, after their second touchdown.(DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score was 3 of 4. Next week we wrap-up at home, hopefully with our back-ups playing that one out.
****
DT Jalen Carter barrels in for a sack of Josh Allen.
Game Hero: DT Jalen Carter – (1 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) He was disruptive, recorded a sack, and even blocked an extra point, that probably won us the game. Seriously. If the Bills make that early extra point, then when they scored their second touchdown, it would have been a 13 – 13 game, and they’d have just kicked the extra point for the win.
However, because of Carter’s block, the Bills had to go for the two point conversion for the win. The throw was wide left, and the Eagles had a “W”.
Game goat: Offensive Coordinator, Kevin Patullo – We had a solid first half, then the reigns were solely handed over to Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo. We immediately went back to predictable nonsense that wasn’t particularly well blocked.
On The Whole:
This was a measuring stick game, and the Eagles won it. Yes, Hurts didn’t complete a pass in the entire second half, but we won the game. We found a way to win on the road. Against a playoff team. In monsoon conditions.
Rookie LB Jihaad Campbell celebrates his fumble recovery.
Special Teams Ace: WR Britain Covey (PR: 3 – 54 – 18.0 – 0)
****
I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: CHARGERS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
RB Saquon Barkley goes 52 yards for that tasty treat.
1) Get Saquon 90 Rushing Yards: Saquon surpassed the 90 yard mark, finishing with 122 rushing yards. He had 69 on 13 carries (5.3ypc) in the first half. In the second half he had a sporadic 7 carries for 53 yards, including a 52 yard touchdown run. I don’t know why this coaching staff insists on abandoning the run when it’s working.(DONE)
2) Beat On Their QB: The Defense went out and collected 7 sacks, while hitting the opposing QB 11 times. He stayed under duress. (DONE)
3) Overwhelm Their Offensive Line:Our Defense gave up 169 rushing yards, but 66 were from QB who spent the night scrambling for his life. The other 103 came on 28 carries (3.6ypc). We beat on their QB, and kept his completion percentage to 46.1. We also bottled up their RB’s. The Defense did everything they were asked to do. (DONE)
4) Throw the Uppercut: We absolutely got a few of these from TE Dallas Goedert (10 – 8 – 78 – 9.7 – 0), and a couple of them were gotta have it first downs.(DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score was4 of 4. So how do we go a perfect 4 of 4 and still lose? Simple by turning the ball over five times. Better results are expected next week vs Las Vegas.
****
OLB Jalyx Hunt gets a sack as the QB’s knees was down before he could intentionally ground the ball.
Game Hero: OLB Jalyx Hunt – He had 2.5 of our 7 sacks, made 8 stops, forced a fumble (Chargers recovered), wand was generally a menace all game long. THIS is the Hunt that we were expecting right out of the gate this season, and he’s making his presence felt more and more as the season wears on.
Game goat: QB Jalen Hurts – He’s the one who threw three interceptions, had another come off of A.J. Brown’s hands, and fumbled once. That credits him for five turnovers. While I’ve never been his biggest fan, and I do believe he holds some culpability for those turnovers, it’s unfair to lay all the blame at his doorstep.
On The Whole: Lots of Eagles fans are laying this loss entirely with Hurts, and letting Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo off the hook for this. NOT SO FAST. On each one of these interceptions, you’ll see a defender sitting on the ball as the receiver curls toward the QB.
That level of predictability is terrifying. Especially against an opponent we only see once every four years or so. Imagine how familiar Washington will be with us! This needs fixing, and blaming Hurts alone, or execution, or anything else besides the root of the problem, won’t get the problem solved.
While it’s true that we shit the bed in this game, we also did some good things. So let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We got the run game going, and our defense produced SEVEN sacks of QB who is mobile. Hurts used the middle of the field, and we did get a couple of isolated looks on deep balls. This is all stuff we can build on. So long as we can weed out the predictability.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni and Offensive Co-ordinator Kevin Patullo, trying to figure out which one of them is which
OFFENSIVE Co-ordinator Kevin Patullo will be the OC at least until the season ends. When they finally fire Patullo, there will be no more games on the schedule. There was never a scenario where he would be fired during the season. Earlier this season, when it seemed like Miami head coach Mike McDaniels was about to be fired, I suggested that we hire him as an advisor.I never suggested us jumping ship to a new OC, in the middle of a season.
Because it’s just not how the Eagles do business.
Remember in 2023, when Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson and Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai helped us rise to 10 – 0; only to then help us fall to 11 – 6, with a first round playoff exit? We were sucking long before we got the first loss, but both men stayed employed in their roles until the season concluded.
In 2022 Jonathon Gannon was “allowed to remain behind in Arizona” after the Eagles Super Bowl loss out there. In 2019 Mike Groh was also canned as OC after a playoff loss. In fact, the last Eagles coach to get the ax during the season, was head coach Chip Kelly in 2015 with one game left to play. (In case it comes up as a trivia question, Pat Shurmurtook over for that one game.)
This is how the Eagles do business.
However, fellow fan, there’s a second part to this! It has to do with the fact that, when Head Coach Nick Sirianniwas hired, he had never called plays before. He took a swipe at it, and seven weeks later the Eagles were 2 – 5 and not showing much promise. So, it was suggested that Sirianni turn playcalling over to Shane Steichen, which he did. Sirianni gave a speech about flowers and from there the Eagles went on a 7 – 3 run, and even made the Wild Card round.
Flowers can’t be nightmare fuel??! Hold my beer.
Sirianni isn’t taking over the playcalling, because he knows that he sucks at it. He’s not an X’s and O’s guy. He’s a manager. A cheerleader. A camp counselor. So there is no “takeover” coming. As for re-assigning the duty… To whom? A QB coach who doesn’t know the strengths and weaknesses of players up and down the offensive depth chart? An outsider?? No. No. That’s not how the Eagles do business.
So get comfy with Patullo, because he ain’t going nowhere. His playcalling will almost definitely short-circuit our efforts to repeat as champions, but he ain’t going nowhere. The whole thing is a little bit sad. We have an identifiable issue, but we refuse to fix it out of habit. Sooo, because of how the Eagles do business, we probably ain’t going nowhere.
Special Teams Ace: RB Will Shipley(3KR – 99 – 33.0 – 41 – 0)
****
I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: GIANTS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Slant Against Their Run:We didn’t do much of this early, but after the half, movement along the Defensive Line vs both the run AND the pass picked up. The upshot was a day that saw us hold New York to 68 rushing yards on 21 carries and add five sacks. (Three in the second half.) It’s certainly something to build on. (DONE)
2) Don’t Abandon Saquon: “In the area of 20 carries” was what I said. Saquon had 14. However, I’m giving credit for this, because he was on his way to that target, when he tweaked his groin muscle; and Head Coach Nick Sirianniwisely decided to rest him.
RB Tank Bigsby runs over the people like a… tank.
Besides, although Saquon could have come back if needed, with RB Tank Bigsby (9 – 104 – 11.6 – 0 – 0) killing it on the ground, why not let our starter get a jump on resting for the Bye week? Especially after watching giants RB Cam Skattebo (3 – 12 – 4.0 – 0 – 0) get carted off the field with a dislocated ankle, earlier. We played it smart. (DONE)
giants Rookie RB Cam Skattebo, dislocates his ankle.
3) Target Our Wide Receivers:Jalen Hurts threw just 20 passes on the day, for 179 yards. Of those passes, 12 targeted WR’s for 8 catches, and 124 yards, with a touchdown on a 40 bomb to WRJahan Dotson (1 – 1 – 40 – 40.0 – 1). Hurts made WR’s his mission in this one. (DONE)
4) Complete the Sack:We got 5 sacks in this game. There could have been more, but…baby steps. Let’s not be ungrateful. (DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score was a perfect 4 of 4, as we head into the Bye week with a win. Not just a win, but a win where we showed up in all four quarters. We’ll rest up, and then get ready to tackle the second half of the season.
****
Game Hero: Offensive CoordinatorKevin Patullo –A lot of this has to do with the C position. First, we had OL Bret Tothfilling in for starting CCam Jurgens. Patullo didn’t call plays like Jurgens was out there. He instead frequently called plays where Toth had combo help.
We also ran the ball more from under C today. That makes it easier to sell play-action, because with the QB closer to the line, it’s harder to see if it’s a real hand-off or not. It also changes the timing of when the RB hits the hole, as Saquon demonstrated on his first carry going for a 65 yard score.
One of the best parts of the game was calling the 40 yard ‘Go’ route for Jahan Dotson. Knowing that Dotson validated his Coordinator and QB’s trust, by coming down with that ball, now makes him someone that future opponents have to account for. A loaded box with Dotson on the field, is now something opposing defenses have to weigh.
WR Jahan Dotson wins jump ball for 40 yard touchdown.
That wasn’t the case coming into this game.
Game goat: The Defense – In two games vs New York, our Defense has not forced a single turnover, despite the giants reliance on rookies. In this game, there wasn’t even a turnover on downs from them. Every time they surrendered the ball, it was either voluntary (a punt), or a score. We have to do better than that.
On The Whole: Offensively, this game featured 26 hand-offs to just 20 pass attempts. That ratio helps to stabilize the feel of a game, and allows any back-ups playing significant time, to not get swept away by the moment. We also won the Time Of Possession 33 minutes to 26, ensuring that our Defense wasn’t run into the ground.
Defensively, despite the 5 sacks, there were many instances of our linemen not keeping to rush lanes, and allowing their QB to escape all too frequently. It may also be why (in two games), we haven’t put enough pressure on their rookie QB, to intercept him even once. These are the sort of small problems that good teams correct.
DT Moro Ojomo gets the sack as LB Joshua Uche helps finish it.
There was also plenty of good on Defense! LB Nakobe Dean (5 tackles), LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (1 tackle), and DT Jalen Carter(2 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) played with a level of violence, that becomes more infectious as the season wears on. Did anyone else notice that we didn’t hear much about CB Kelee Ringo(2 tackles) in this game? Or that no giant had more than 3 catches, and their top guy had just 48 receiving yards?
Sack Leader: DT Jordan Davis(Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 6)
Special Teams Ace: N/A
****
I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: GIANTS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Don’t Overthink It:For the second week in a row, I mentioned establishing the run. In the first half we were doing exactly that. Saquon Barkley went into the half 8 – 56 – 7.0 – 0, with a long run of 18. He would finish the game with just 4 more carries for 2 more yards. There were many plays where he wasn’t even in the backfield.
This is NOT about execution. If the player isn’t even on the field, how can he execute? If the ball isn’t handed off, how can the run game fail in its execution? This is a play-calling problem, but until Head Coach Nick Sirianni holds Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo accountable, this problem will persist. (NOT DONE)
2) Strangle Their Pass Rush: A short, quick passing game, right behind the pass rush. It would have kept the QB clean, got the ball out fast, backed their linebackers up, kept the chains moving, and the ball out the hands of the opposing offense.
Instead, we were treated to yet another example of why people keep leaving Jalen Hurts off their top ten QB lists. Raise your hand, if you find yourself yelling “THROW THE BALL!!” at your television, at least 4 times per game. Raise your hand if you’re sick of seeing him count past “five Mississippi”. This should’ve been easy. (NOT DONE)
3) Push the Interior Pocket:The idea was to force their QB to run and step into hits by our LB’s. However, every time we got him out of the pocket, our LB’s were off getting a hotdog or something. As far as the run, not only did our linemen get no penetration, they were also getting blown off the line. (NOT DONE)
giants coach Brian Daboll hugging his concussed job security.
4) Take Away Anything Easy: We did take away the dink and dunk underneath stuff. So their QB went into hunting our CB’s, specifically CB Kelee Ringo(3 tackles). Still, their QB only had an okay night, passing the ball. The real issue was the 172 rushing yards that we surrendered. (DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score was 1 of 4, so you shouldn’t be surprised that we lost. Next week we travel to Minnesota, to right the ship against a well rested Vikings team.
****
Game Hero: What? Are you serious?
Game goat: HC Nick Sirianni – This team has issues on all sides of the ball, but Offense is what’s killing us. I realize that Patullo may be his friend, but now it’s definitely time for Sirianni to step in, and take over the play-calling. At the very least.
On The Whole: The Offense is going three and out so much, that it’s wearing down the Defense. Not just “in-game” wear, but the kind of wear that gets carried from week to week, is starting to show. Our Defense is in need of a game (or three) where we hold time of possession for 36 minutes or better.
There’s an over-emphasis under Patullo, of taking what opposing defenses are giving us. That allows our opponents to dictate the game to us. Our players hate it, and you can see it actively sapping their mojo. Saquon Barkley said “We have to get back to that attitude. To that mindset, where we don’t really give a fuck what people are trying to do.”
Standing at his locker, RT Lane Johnson called for the plays to be less predictable, and he mentioned ‘keys’ that give away what the Eagles are doing. (He also remembered to say they need to execute better.)
Both of these are pleas for a shift in mindset. The question is: Who are these pleas, to? Who exactly do the players hope to rescue them?
Last week’s loss could have been a constructive loss, had we learned from it. We did not. This giants loss renders the Broncos loss, just a failed opportunity. This giants loss could be a constructive loss, if we learn from it, and make meaningful changes. Otherwise, it’s just going to be a nationally televised ass-whipping.
Drive Killer: DT Jordan Davis (TD: 1/Int: 0/ FR: 1/ 4th down stops: 1/ FF: 0)
Sack Leader: DT Jordan Davis (Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 5)
Special Teams Ace: DT Jordan Davis 1FG Block, recovery, scoop and score
****
I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: RAMSdid the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Pound the Rock: In the first half, Saquon Barkley had 7 carries for 13 yards (1.8ypc). We didn’t do enough to establish the inside run, and the passes to Saquon, behind the Line of Scrimmage, only served to keep defenders close to the line. We doubled down on beating ourselves here.
WR A.J. Brown breaking the fuck out of a tackle
Things opened up in the second half, as Jalen Hurts just started winging the ball to A.J. Brown, which opened up the box, just enough for Saquon to be legitimate threat on his remaining 11 carries for 33 yards (3.0ypc). If we’d come out with this mindset, there would have never been a 19 point hole to climb out of. (NOT DONE)
2) Make Their QB Run: Right off the bat, I’ll say that we didn’t do this. However, we might have either, just spoiled the Rams entire season, by exposing a tell to their future opponents; or set ourselves up to beat them again in the playoffs.
QB Matt Stafford (19/33 – 57.5% – 196 – 2 – 1) when facing pressure, more often elected to throw off his back foot, or not step into a throw, instead of scramble. The result was that more than a few of his passes were uncharacteristically high or long, of their target. That could be useful information if we face them in the playoffs. (NOT DONE)
3) Involve Goedert Early: It wasn’t until the third quarter when TE Dallas Goedert(2 – 1 – 33 – 33.0 – 1) saw a target. It was an easy 33 yard strike for a touchdown. Right down the hash. He only saw two targets on the day. Not having to cover him, kept the box loaded and neutered our run game. Great job, Kevin! (NOT DONE)
4) Let’s Safety Dance: It was a relatively quiet day for rookie S Andrew Mukuba (3 tackles) who spent much of the day in deep coverage, because CB Adoree Jackson (5 tackles) is a liability. After he went out with an injury, CB Jakorian Bennett(5 tackles) took over as the guy who allows completions. (DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score was 1 of 4. Which is exactly how we ended up being down 7 – 26 in the third quarter. The thing is, we’re a team that can push past adversity, and the Rams are a team that unravels when they get punched in the mouth. That won’t be the case next week. Next on the docket are the Buccaneers, and they seem to thrive on getting punched in the mouth. Worse yet, they’ve had our number as of recently.
(Fun Fact: We played away at the Bucs on 9/28/24 and it was 88 degrees. This year we play away at the Bucs on 9/29/25. As of now, the weather forecast calls for 88 degrees.)
****
DT Jordan Davis didn’t just block this field goal, he damned near caught it.
Game Hero: DT Jordan Davis – Our only sack. A fourth down Tackle For Loss. A field goal block to win the game. The scoop and score after the block, was just icing on the cake and a reward for me having started the Eagles DST in my fantasy football league. (If I win tomorrow, Davis’s TD will be a key reason why.)
All game long, the Rams K was getting credit for knuckle-balling his kickoffs, so that they would dribble along the ground, making it hard for our returners to corral them. What I think happened, was too much of the his kickoff mechanics, found their way into his field goal mechanics. Hence the low trajectory and two blocks.
Game goat: Offensive Co-ordinator Kevin Patullo – He called the first half of game like he doesn’t know who his players are. Once the decision was made to let our QB throw down the field, the entire game changed complexion. Which proves that the only thing missing initially, was his will to threaten our opponent.
Listen, when Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels is fired, I would love to see him added to this staff as a “consultant” or whatever, and transitioned to OC in 2026. His head coaching run in Miami was so disastrous, that it’ll be years before he gets another nibble. So we’d get to keep an offensive innovator for multiple years.
On The Whole: Once LB Zack Baun (7 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) intercepted Stafford on the Rams first drive, and we scored a touchdown off of it, I just knew that we were about to blowout the Rams. And then, all four of our frickin’ wheels fell off the car.
The Rams beat us deep for six (getting the extra point), and then we surrendered four field goals, while being shutout of the second quarter. At the half it was 7 – 19. After the half, we fumbled our first possession, and the Rams added another touchdown. Now we were down 7 – 26. A deficit of 19 points.
As a teen, I read that a final difference of 20 points, is a blowout. I have used that metric as a guideline for over thirty years now. It’s why I never said that we blew the Chiefs out, in the Super Bowl. Today however, we were in danger of being blown out at home.
WR DeVonta Smith catches the game winning touchdown.
Then, as if flipping a switch, Jalen Hurts threw Geodert a touchdown. The Rams punted, and Hurts throws Brown a touchdown. Suddenly were down by five points. They go out on downs. We go out on downs. Then DT Jalen Carter(3 tackles) blocks a FG! Are you serious!? Hurts throws WR DeVonta Smith (9 – 8 – 60 – 7.5 – 1) a touchdown, and for the first time since the first quarter, we have the lead!
We go for two, and miss it. Our lead is one point, and the Rams have ball.
The Rams only need a field goal and have 1:48 to get it. They play to ensure that our Offense will not see the ball again. With three seconds left in the game, the Rams attempt a 44 yard field goal.
IT’S BLOCKED! The Eagles have w- Wait! Did Jordan Davis recover the football! He did! He’s running with it! There’s a convoy behind him! Look at the big man go, look at- Oh my god, he’s going to score! There are no flags! HE’S IN THE ENDZONE!
DT Jordan Davis returns a field goal that he blocked and recovered, 61 yards for a touchdown
This game was one for the books. But it still doesn’t get Patullo off the hook! Mike McDaniels in Philadelphia? Think about it.
Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott (2/2 FG (2 from 50+), 2/2 XP)
****
I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: CHIEFS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
DE Za’Darius Smith makes his presence felt on QB Patrick Mahomes
1) Right Side, Strong Side: We didn’t do many shifts at all along the Defensive Line, but LB walks-ups? Defensive Co-ordinator Vic Fangio, uncharacteristically leaned heavy on the blitz in this game. Rookie LB Jihaad Campbell (7 tackles) spent a lot of time not just walking up into the gap between the RDT and RDE, he also was sent on blitzes, and put hits on the opposing QB.
We collected 2 sacks in this game, and 1.5 came from the right side of our D-Line. Moro Ojomo (2 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) got a solo, and newly signed RDE Za’Darius Smith (4 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) helped finish a sack started by rookie Andrew Mukuba (6 – 0.5 – 1 – 0). We got what we needed and didn’t allow their QB to trust his blindside. (DONE)
2) Trigger Their PTSD:Like the Super Bowl, the Chiefs not only ran loaded boxes, but they ran run blitzes to stymie our run game. This was to expected. At least by me. The Eagles from Offensive Co-ordinator Kevin Patullo, to QB Jalen Hurts, seemed confused and surprised by it.
Instead of adjusting and calling hot routes and crosses, to get the ball out of Hurt’s hand and burn the blitz, it seemed like every route was for twenty yards or more. If Patullo adjusted his approach, or if Hurts had audibled a route here or there, it might have made our Offense’s night easier all around. (NOT DONE)
3) Much Smaller Cushions: CB Quinyon Mitchell(3 tackles) and NCB Cooper DeJean(8 tackles) seemed to get the memo. However, CB Adoree Jackson (1 tackle) continued to be a fucking liability out there. We should just cut him, and if CB Kelee Ringo (2 tackles) is truly a worse option than Jackson, we should just cut him too.
I would like to say that since two-thirds of the CB’s got the message, this is a passing grade. However, given how inviting Jackson makes anyone he covers, we’re like a car on three tires and brake rotor. (NOT DONE)
4) Spread the Ball Around:No fewer than seven different Eagles caught a ball in this game. SEVEN! That ball was indeed spread around this week. This one was indeed done.
It is however, the emptiest “done” I can recall in a long time. Our top two receivers combined for 80 yards on 9 catches. There was just one completion for a gain of double digits. Seeing that, you might assume that Hurts spent the day burning the blitz. He did not. What he did, was stand in the pocket for too long, too often. But still… (DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score was 2 of 4, and if it was lower we’d be looking at a loss. Next week, we get another 2024 – 2025 playoffs re-match. This time against the 2 – 0 Rams.
****
S Andrew Mukuba robs a future HOF player in the endzone, for his first career interception.
Game Hero: S Andrew Mukuba – His interception in the endzone, killed a potential Chiefs scoring drive and set us up for the 20 – 10 lead, that would carry us past a late Chiefs rally. He also got home, on our first sack of the year. (Although it took Za’Darius Smith’s help to finish it off.)
Game goat: QB Jalen Hurts – While new OC Patullo is the man responsible for strategizing our attack, Hurts is the one under Center, reading the defense and making adjustments, pre-snap. At least he’s supposed to be. Right?
The problem is, we have two straight weeks of him being stymied by the same defensive element, namely heavy blitzing. He has yet to throw a short pass to hot route, that burns the defense for serious run after the catch yardage. We will continue to see this element, until he demonstrates that he will make teams pay for it.
On The Whole: It’s a “W”. Earned in the home of a Super Bowl caliber team, that everyone was calling a potential dynasty and expecting to three-peat, just 219 days ago. Whatever excuse people were willing to make for the Chiefs Super Bowl loss, the Eagles even in an ugly game, proved that the excuses are invalid and we are simply the superior team now.
The Eagles, not the Chiefs are the team to beat in the NFL.
The Eagles, not the Chiefs are the class of the NFL.
The Eagles, are now the team to be discussed as a potential dynasty.
The Eagles are the team climbing to repeat as World Champions.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: BROWNSdid the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
RB Montrell Johnson leading the ground game
1) Get Our Run Game On Track:We ran for 33 yards. For four quarters, all we could muster was (19 – 33 – 1.7 – 0) less than what RB Will Shipley(No stats – DNP) ran for last week. For posterity, RB Montrell Johnson (6 – 20 – 3.3 – 0) led the Eagles rushing attack.
When a rushing attack is this anemic, usually the culprit is an offensive line getting whipped in the trenches, but that wasn’t the issue here. The problem was a dink and dunk passing attack, that kept everyone within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. (NOT DONE.)
2) A Sack By A DE: This week the Eagles managed 3 sacks, and yes, one was by a DE. At least it was by a guy lined up at the position. During the second quarter “DE” Azeez Ojulari(3 – 1.0 – 0 – 0), who had been getting pressure consistently, finally got home and brought the QB down.
I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of an OLB lining up at DE, with his hand in the dirt. For example, Ojulari is 240 pounds. so I don’t want him squared up against 300+ pound RT’s. Listen, when Ojulari got his sack, it was on 2nd and 5. That could have easily been an audible to a run, and then Ojulari is overmatched. But he got it here. (DONE)
3) Win the Nod:The idea here was that the second CB spot would be decided by the play of CB Kelee Ringo(1 tackle) and CB Adoree Jackson (3 tackles). The truth is, neither distinguished themselves. So we head into the final week of the preseason, still not having even a foundation to make an argument for one over the other. (NOT DONE)
QB Kyle McCord throwing a 9 yard TD strike
4) Bench Our Back-up:We sat Tanner McKee (DNP)! It was the logical thing to do, which is why I was absolutely certain he’d play. We already know what we have in him. Why play him, and risk him getting injured? Then I saw him in pads, and my stomach knotted up. But then he sat on the sideline and I began to relax.
As for the third spot between QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (5/8 – 62.5% – 17 – 0 – 1) and rookie QB Kyle McCord(8/16 – 50.0% – 47 – 1 – 0), we should flip a coin and then just pick McCord anyway. He’s a rookie 6th round pick, so it makes sense for him to suck right now. (Besides, he’s a local kid, who went to St. Joe’s Prep, on Girard Avenue here.) DTR just looked so… flustered and shitty out there. Against back-ups! Hard pass! (DONE)
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This week’sFour Thingsscore was 2 of 4. This Friday we close out the preseason with a trip up to the Big Apple! There, we’ll face the Jets, in a game where the main objective is to leave with a healthy roster.
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S Andrew Mukuba returning an interception 75 yards to paydirt.
Game Hero: S Andrew Mukuba (1 – 0.0 – 1 – 1) – All 13 of our points in this game were owed to Mukuba’s amazing 2nd quarter. First, he intercepts a ball and returns it 75 yards to paydirt. Then when the Browns botched a hand-off exchange, Mukuba was there for the fumble recovery. Which helped set up a 9 yard touchdown strike.
Game goat: Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo – He had no kind of plan for the Offense, and made no discernible adjustments.
On The Whole: Whether it was the miss opportunity for the CB battle to be decided. The missed opportunity for the third QB spot to be decided. Or the in ability of any of the WR’s to establish themselves as a consistent factor. This was a game where players should have come to impress. The only ones who seemed to make an impact, were the guys who are already locks to make the team.
QB Tanner McKee launches a pass from behind RT Matt Pryor.
WOW. I expected us to lose that game. The Bengals were playing starters; their ownership needed something to bring to their fans; and the Eagles use preseason games strictly as an evaluation tool. Yet, the Bengals are so shitty, none of those things mattered.
Keeping in mind how bad the Bengals are, I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself . Especially in regards to QBTanner McKee (20/25 – 80.0% – 252 – 2 – 0). That being said, DAT BOY GOOD! DAT BOY GOOOOD! Oh! He also scored a rushing touchdown on a 4th down Brotherly Shove. So I in no way, fear handing the keys to this guy, if we have to.
The format of this Four Things Reviewed is different, from the ones that will come out during the season. Keep in mind, this is preseason for me too. So I’m not rolling out the full playbook.
That said, let’s get into it.
The Brotherly Shove is the opening score of the year.
1) Who Plays:There was a question about whether or not any or all of our starters would play. The answer was that the only starter to play, was RG Tyler Steen. While he looked better than the guys around him, I’m not so sure that he has the starting job as sewed up as some people seem to think. No sense in debating about it though. We’ll just see how things play out.
2) Which WR Stands Out:That nod has to go to rookie Darius Cooper (7 – 6 – 82 – 13.6 – 1) he consistently created separation to allow his QB’s to deliver the ball safely, and he kept showing a little wiggle after the catch. I’d be remiss if I didn’t tip my cap to Johnny Wilson(6 – 3 – 73 – 24.3 – 0). I don’t speak very favorably of him in tomorrow’s Eagles evaluation (completed days ago), but in this game, he put his potential on display. If he makes me eat my words, I’ll even spring for a nice wine to pair with them.
3) Who is Patullo On 4th Down: I wanted to see how aggressive Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo was on 4th down. Just to get a sense of who he might be, once these games count. Well folks, we faced 4th down a total of 9 times. We went for it on 3 tries (failing once); we kicked 2 field goals; and we punted 4 times. So 5 times he called for the points, and 4 times he called for field position. FYI: Those punts were on 4th and 5, 6, 9, and 13.
DT Ty Robinson on the hunt
4) Defensive Line Pressure: Our back-ups did not get much pressure as a unit, nor did they do a good job of keeping blockers off of the Linebackers. It often looked like the entire Line was trying to rush through a single point in the offensive line. As a result they ended up clumping and doing half of the offensive lines job, for them. More emphasis must be paid to them winning their gap. After that, things will fall in line.
Rookie DTTy Robinson (1 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) recorded a sack and applied some heat on a couple of plays, but he lacks the speed to chase down QB’s from the inside out. Veteran LB/DE Patrick Johnson (0 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) had a sack that was negated by a penalty, but on the very next play, he tipped a pass to himself and turned it into an interception.
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We looked good out there. Especially given that we started out with our back-ups in against their starters. Yet we still went toe-to-toe with them. That’s the sign of a well built team right there. GM Howie Roseman is Jewish Jesus! Oh… wait….
I want to take a moment to discuss the CB competition between Kelee Ringo (3 tackles) and Adore Jackson(3 tackles). Neither played great, but one is coming over to a brand new scheme for him; and the other was juiced for a touchdown with no Safety help in his vicinity, by one of the best WR’s in the sport. Let’s not oversell Tanner, or undersell our Corners. At least not yet.
TONIGHT we’re getting our first taste of the 2025 Eagles season! New Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo, will get his feet wet a little bit! We’ll also begin the process of whittling all the players in Training Camp, down to a 53 man roster.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner. It’s to discuss which tactics will give our Eagles the best chance to defeat this week’s opponent. Except in preseason. Winning would be nice, but these games aren’t for that. They’re for helping us establish depth, and to perhaps uncover a gem or two.
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So even if the score quickly becomes lopsided, what should we be looking for in this game?
1) Who Plays: In previous seasons our starters didn’t play and it’s led to some slow starts. Especially in games at the beginning of the season. Will this be addressed this year, by giving our starters a chance to shake the rust off, as early as opposing players do?
2) Which WR Stands Out: The WR4 position becomes WR3 in the event of an injury to a starter. So which WR plays this game like the ball is his, whenever it’s thrown to him? That’s the guy we’ll want to win the #4 spot.
3) Who Is Patullo On 4th Down: Surely circumstances will also play a hand in the decisions, but I for one, am interested to see how aggressive our OC is, when his back is to the wall.
4) Defensive Line Pressure: Our back-up line will spend a lot of time out there. Do they get much pressure as a unit? Do they protect the LB’s effectively? Who is the standout?
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Prediction: Eagles 20 – Bengals 28
The Eagles will be using this game as an evaluation tool. Cincy on the other hand, has been a factory for bad news. Their ownership will want a win, just to have something to wave at their fanbase, as a sign that things are going well. Meanwhile we just…
WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know football and that’s IT. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, you are trying to lose your money, and you will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
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