LAST week was a fist-fight that came down to DT Moro Ojomo, denying Washington a two point conversion. That conversion would have tied the game, and likely forced overtime. Being a division game, you expect that sort of thing though.
This week’s victim, doesn’t play in our division. Our players don’t see each other twice a year, so our rosters don’t really know each other. I expect a more pure representation of how our new offensive scheme really looks, and what it should like when we’ve mastered it.
With a win, we move to 2 – 0 and would be alone atop the NFC East, unless the giants can find a way to travel to Los Angeles and beat the Rams. In which case, both they and us, would still share the top of the division, with them holding a conference tie-breaker. (But it’s way too early to start with tie-breaker talk.)
A loss would drop us to 1 – 1. Since both Washington and Dallas (who face each other Sunday) are both 0 – 1, the best one of them can do is 1 – 1, the other will own the basement. A giants win would put them alone atop the division, but a loss will still see us tied for a three-way lead. So we have to win this game.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: The TITANS
1) Our Power vs Their Size: Get our run game going. This should be a big week for RB Saquon Barkley, as last week the Titans, while at home, surrendered 152 rushing yards to the Jets. It might have something to do with having a smallish defensive line, as their starting four average just 276 pounds. The Eagles Offensive Line isn’t huge, but even with LG Drew Kendallstarting for LG Landon Dickerson, it still averages 324 per man.
Just getting downhill and putting hats on defenders, should be enough to give our RB’s the holes they need to punch through for big gains. So don’t get cute! Get mean! Be bullies! Don’t get mad. Take pleasure in pushing these little fuckers around. Let’s put more rushing yards on them, than the Jets did.
2) Unleash DeVonta: Let’s make it emphatically clear to the world, that WR DeVonta Smith, is our WR1. Let’s get him 100 yards or two scores, in this one.
Between how dramatically we established TE Dallas Goedertlast week, and the Titans trying to take away our run game, the middle of the field should often be crowded. That means we should see a good amount of isolation on the corners. When that happens, we need to capitalize on it.
3) Our DE’s Must Contain Better:All last week, the opposing QB kept getting outside the pocket to either pick-up rushing yards, or extend plays until he could find an open receiver.
Most of that was due to our DE’s running themselves out of plays, and not keeping the QB corralled. Often the only pursuit was a trailing DT, with no chance to close the distance. This week our DE’s need much better edge discipline, and they have to keep the QB from bootlegging out of the pocket, so there are multiple angles to hit him from.
4) Let’s Have Sacks: Mistakes come from trying to avoid and make up for sacks, so we have to go get some. We need plays that result in lost yardage, and take their offense off-schedule. Not a tackle just behind the line of scrimmage. A real, honest to God, “Somebody get him some milk!” kind of sack.
DT Jordan Davis running over a Carr (Derek)
To hell with all these empty hurries. If it still results in a completion, or doesn’t result in an interception, then we didn’t force their QB into a mistake. If we didn’t cause him to make a mistake and we didn’t bring him down for lost yardage, then their offense wins that down. Fuck that! We need to get their QB on the ground this week.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
This Offensive system will be a work in progress until the season ends. At no point in this season, will we be able to say that it has been mastered. Our players are just getting to run it, in real game situations. Sunday was the first time they got their feet wet against a real opponent, while not being vanilla in trying not to reveal anything.
Share this with your friends. Maybe it’ll help keep their blood pressure down.
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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, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days forFour Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
PHILADELPHIA begins our season with the sacrificing of a division rival. Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni, and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio return with the goal of another Super Bowl parade, here in Philly. Joining them is rookie Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion, as he rolls out a vastly different scheme than the Birds have run in the past.
Rookie WR Makai Lemon, joins Super Bowl LIX MVP QB Jalen Hurts, 2024 Offensive Player of the Year RB Saquon Barkley, and future Hall Of Famer RT Lane Johnson, as they revive what became an anemic offense last year.
Despite the offensive woes, the Eagles repeated as NFC East winners, due to the strength of a top Defense. Spearheading that unit are DTJordan Davis and DT Jalen Carter, LB Zack Baun, and CB Quinyon Mitchell.
Playing the part of the sacrifice are the Washington Commanders. Already nursing some bumps and bruises along both their offensive and defensive lines, a match-up against the Eagles is the last thing the doctor would order. This game could get out of hand very quickly.
With a win, we move to 1 – 0 and tied with the winner of the Cowboys/giants game for first place in the NFC East.
A loss would drop us to 0 – 1 and scratching our heads. The truth is, this is a divisional game, so it will likely be hard fought. That said, we just have to go out and take care of business.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things.
BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: The Commanders
TE Dallas Goedert hits paydirt
1) Use the Kerrigan Plan: Yet again this season, the Commanders primary pass rush comes from two OLB’s, who don’t cover. Why do they keep making this so easy, year in and year out!? Passes to the Flats, and Outs into the areas vacated by the rushers, has generally served us well against this rival. No reason to change up until they do.
I’ll be watching when we play 11-personnel, to see if they remove one of those OLB’s or a defensive lineman. I’ll be keeping an eye on that, because it would signal an evolutionary step. They have a new defensive coordinator, and I’m not very familiar with his work. So it’ll be interesting to see how fast he learns.
2) Force Passes Deep: Use a Two Deep Zone with LB’s playing Man Coverage underneath. This may result in a few big plays and penalties, but the idea is to take away quick, easy completions, and make it hard for their offense to be consistent.
3) Blow Up the Middle: We need to blow up the middle of their offensive line. The starters aren’t very talented, and they have injury issues there already. If we cave in their offensive line, it stymies their run game and gets their QB running and throwing from a moving platform. I discussed that plan, in detail, in THE 12.
DT Jordan Davis stops a run before it starts.
Despite their QB having good mobility, we want to get him running. He comes with a lengthy injury history already. In fact, we didn’t play against him last year, because he was injured for both games. We want to get their fragile QB out where he knows danger surrounds him.
4) Exploit Loaded Boxes: The Eagles want their identity to be running the ball, and we have Saquon Barkley, one of the most dangerous, and explosive RB’s in the league. So expect to see some eight man boxes, especially early in the game.
What we need is for Jalen Hurts to identify where that eighth man is being walked up from, and audible to a play that specifically targets the area where the eighth man should have stayed or covered. This sends an immediate message to the opposing defensive coach, and should get them back into seven man fronts again.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
We’re going to be without offseason acquisition DE Jonathan Greenard for at least this week. That makes this a perfect opportunity to get DT Ty Robinson, a few reps at DE, as I mentioned in THE 12.
As far as the Offense goes, expect some growing pains, because everyone is new to running this system. Particularly under game conditions, because Sirianni doesn’t play his starters in the preseason. So expect some missed timing, missed routes, maybe an uncharacteristic turnover.
Again, this is a division rival, so this game could go all the way to the wire. More likely, the Eagles jump all over the Commanders, and it’s ugly from the get-go.
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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, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and 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.
IN order to keep RB Saquon Barkleyfrom being overworked, his pitch count should be 18 carries. Unless it’s a close game, late into the fourth quarter. In which case, the coaching staff should play it as they see fit. Otherwise, we should use RB Tank Bigsby to finish off halves.
Tank is an aggressive, full speed, downhill runner. The sort of fresh legs which no tired defense wants to see. When we roll out Tank, it shouldn’t be about scheme and a chess match. That’s for when Saquon is on the field. When Tank comes out, we should be signaling that it’s time for a fist-fight in a phone booth. That the undertaker is here to box the defense up.
THE mission started as “repeat as champions”, and ended with “For the love of Christ, FIRE Kevin Patullo!” There were fans who weren’t even bummed about the first round playoff loss, because it meant the Eagles were going to finally shit-can the Offensive Coordinator. His ineptitude was wall to wall, and week to week. It was so bad, that when the Eagles hired the completely inexperienced Sean Mannion to replace Patullo, fans were still pumped. Now the Eagles have to prove that it was in fact him and not them. With no idea what expect from Mannion. Buckle up, and try to go a little limp. This IS the Eagles we’re talking about.
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OFFENSE:
QB Jalen Hurts pre-snap.
QB: Jalen Hurts– 16 starts, 1 rest (playoffs) (294/454 – 64.7% – 3224 – 25 – 6) / (105 – 421 – 4.0 – 8 – 8). Not helped by a (since fired) pedestrian offensive coordinator. While, his overall statistics were respectable, week to week his completion percentage could swing as much as 28 points. In 9 of his 16 starts (56%), his arm found the end-zone, just one time or less.
His two biggest assets are his rushing, and the fact that he doesn’t make many mistakes. As a result, the Eagles either win games, or keep them very close. Unfortunately, his rushing yards, carries, and scores this season, were all career lows, since he became the starter.
Tanner McKee – 1 start (24/43 – 55.8% – 274 – 1 – 1) (8 – 8 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) A third year pocket passer with plenty of upside. His only start was an chance to play his way into being a trade target for QB needy teams. He didn’t play well enough for that, and as a result, would be smart to secure a multi-year extension, as the Eagles back-up beyond 2026. (+)
RB: Last year the world spoke of Saquon Barkley (280 – 1140 – 4.0 – 7 – 1 / 50 – 37 – 273 – 7.3 – 2) as if he was washed up. Yet despite all the team’s coaching struggles, and injuries along the o-line, he was still the number 10 rusher in the NFL. Tank Bigsby (58 – 344 – 5.9 – 2 – 0 / 4 – 3 – 32 – 10.7 – 0) ran every carry as if it would be his last, providing an excellent one-two punch with Barkley.
Will Shipley(14 – 49 – 3.5 – 0 – 1 / 12 – 9 – 56 – 6.2 – 0) simply isn’t very productive with the ball in his hands. Barring injury to another player, I expect that he’ll spend a lot of time on the Practice Squad, if he isn’t cut outright. Dameon Pierce spent most of his career on a bad Texans team, that kept using him less and less. He had a cup of coffee with K.C. last season, now he’s here as depth, and to bolster our kick return game. (+)
TE: Dallas Goedert (82 – 60 – 591 – 9.8 – 11) was a redzone nightmare in 2025. On top of which he’s a solid blocker in the run game. Grant Calcaterra (13 – 9 – 76 – 8.4 – 1) is not a very physical player, but he’s a decent receiving option. Johnny Mundt was ostensibly brought over to help the position with another credible blocker. Goedert is very good, but he tends to miss time, and this position is only one player deep. (-)
WR: A.J. Brown (121 – 78 – 1003 – 12.8 – 7) posted his fourth straight year with at least 1,000 receiving yards, and 7 touchdown catches. Real speed, strong hands, and he’s a problem after the catch. Rumor has it that he’ll be traded to the Patriots in June. (I’d rather it’d be Cleveland.) So let’s talk about what the Eagles might look like without him.
WR catches the go-ahead score. (DT Jordan Love would later seal the game.)
DeVonta Smith (113 – 77 – 1008 – 13.0 – 4) is a silky smooth route runner who uncovers quickly, and has reliable hands. He’s very slight of frame, so he can’t be sent over the middle too much. The recent trade and contract extension for Dontayvion Wicks(Packers), has many certain that Brown will be traded soon. Darius Cooper (11 – 9 – 92 – 10.2 – 0) was assignment solid in his rookie season, and is expected to take a big jump this season.
The Eagles added free agents Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore. Both have loads of starting experience but are smallish targets, inviting the question of whether both will be kept. This is especially true with 6’6 228 Johnny Wilson(a good run blocker), returning from an injury that cost him all of 2025. In addition to Smith, regardless of which four make the roster, this will be an extremely deep position. Even without Brown. (+)
OT: Perennial All-Pro and future Hall of Fame RT Lane Johnson, is coming back for another year. He’ll be 36, and is coming off of a Lisfranc sprain that ended his 2025 season. At LT Jordan Mailata has yet to get a Pro Bowl nod, but is well considered to be among the best at his position.
Swing T Fred Johnson tested free agency, hoping to start elsewhere; but his market kept him in Philadelphia. He’s generally reliable, but he doesn’t always bring his mean-streak, which is likely what’s keeping him a back-up. His presence however, stabilizes this group. Behind him are Cameron Williams and Myles Hinton, a pair of 6th rounders from last year. (+)
OG: Landon Dickerson returns to LG despite rumors that he was going to retire. Injuries dogged him in 2025 and caused him to seek stem cell treatment in the offseason. Interestingly, he had the three years left on his extension reduced to just two. Tyler Steenreturns to RG but lacks the mean streak to stand out there. Especially in the run game. This group fell off in 2025, and a bounce-back can’t just be assumed. It needs to be seen first.
Both Drew Kendalland Willie Lampkin can also play the pivot. Kendall has a single start in his career. Combined, they have played in 7 games, with none of those games being by Lampkin. They are young. Correction, they are Similac young. Dropper feed young. There is versatility here, but no truly experienced depth. (-)
C: Cam Jurgenswas voted to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, but in all truth he kind of sucked in 2025, due to his back. He gutted through it for 14 starts, then was one of two Eagles offensive linemen to receive stem cell treatment in Colombia, during the offseason. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s a resurgence of the Brotherly Shove in 2026, or if the Eagles keep avoiding it, and lend credence to the accusation that it’s an increased injury risk.
Behind Jurgens are Wilie Lampkin, Drew Kendall andJake Majors. The only one of them that’s ever played a snap in a real game, is Kendall with seven games and one start, during week 18. All four players at this position are also listed as Guards, so there is some versatility, but it’s very green. (-)
In A Nutshell: A brand new offensive system, and an Offensive Line that has to prove that it isn’t washed. Otherwise, there are some great pieces here. (-)
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DEFENSE:
DE: Brandon Graham(8 – 3.0 – 0 – 0) is currently still on the roster and listed at this position, despite being used last year as an interior rusher. He played just 113 total snaps in 9 games. Ta’Quon Graham (no relation) comes over as a free agent from Atlanta. He’s already a longshot to make the roster. Many of the players who would normally be listed as an End, are listed by the Eagles as OLB, and will be discussed there. (-)
DT Jordan Davis seals victory by blocking a FG. Then recovering it. Then returning it for a touchdown.
DT: Jalen Carter(33 – 3.0 – 0 – 0) Missed six games last year with shoulder injuries. Don’t let the numbers fool you, he faces double teams consistently, and still manages to be highly disruptive, batting down 7 passes last year. Jordan Davis(72 – 4.5 – 0 – 0) blocked and returned a field goal for a touchdown, and also batted down 6 passes. He had a monster year, where he was likely the most impactful player on the Defense and Special Teams. Which earned him a fat three year extension.
Moro Ojomo (38 – 6.0 – 0 – 0) has been a solid back-up, and will command a boatload of money once his rookie deal is up. Byron Young(37 – 2.5 – 0 – 1) had a nice year and will look to prove that he can be a consistent part of a rotation. Ty Robinson (5 tackles) needs to step his game up. (+)
OLB: (Players in this paragraph play on the Defensive Line.) Jaylx Hunt(52 – 6.5 – 3 – 1) led the team in both sacks (6.5) and interceptions (3) despite just starting 9 games. Nolan Smith (31 – 3 – 0 – 0) had an unremarkable 2025. He’s had big moments, but at 238 pounds he might be too small to rely on, on the line. Joe Tyron-Shoyinka and Arnold Ebiketie are free agents brought in to possibly bolster the pass rush.
Zack Baun(123 – 3.5 – 2 – 1) is an actual off-ball ‘backer. He covers well, plays the run great and is an effective blitzer. Smael Mondon (11 tackles) has to this point been a Special Teamer. He has the physical tools, but he’s deep on the depth chart. (+)
MLB/ILB: Jihaad Campbell(80 – 0.0 – 1 – 1) made enough of an impression as rookie, to render another player expendable, and take over his starting role. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (32 tackles) is the back-up, in a role that used to belong to his father. He’s not as physical, but has stickier fingers. Chandler Martin and Chance Campbellwere free agents brought in as depth. (+)
S:Andrew Mukuba (46 – 0.5 – 2 – 0) was improving weekly during his rookie season, until he was injured and lost for the season. Marcus Epps (21 tackles) made four starts last season. Epps isn’t a bad player, but he plays to not get beat, instead playing to make the play. So he’s always regarded as “experienced” or “veteran” or “reliable”, but never “good”. Andre Sam is on the roster. Still. (-)
S Andrew Mukuba gets first career interception from that OTHER Kelce’s drop.
CB: Currently the Eagles have 12 players at this position, but I’m only talking about the 6 likely to make the roster. Quinyon “Quinyonamo Bay” Mitchell (45 – 0.0 – 0 – 1) still doesn’t have a regular season interception, but is still very much a shutdown corner. Cooper DeJean(93 – 0.0 – 2 – 0) is possibly the best slot corner in the game. Jakorian Bennett(7 tackles) hardly saw the field, but is “traitsy” and could stick around as depth.
Michael Carter(10 tackles) is a Nickel who might be in line for a position switch. Free agent Tariq Woolen is one of the best man-coverage players in the sport, but he’s had some trouble with allowing immaturity to draw penalties. Jonathan Jones is another free agent addition. His age and experience being the key assets in a room loaded with youth. Loaded. (+)
In A Nutshell: Safety is a concern. Otherwise, this unit could ALREADY be better than last year’s. (+)
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SPECIAL TEAMS:
P: Braden Mann(72 – 49.9 – 8 – 20) kicked his way into a shiny new deal of 4 years for 14M$. With 20 punts landing inside the 20 yardline as opposed to touchbacks (8), he really sets the Defense up with a steep advantage. (+)
K Jake Elliott
K: For a second straight year, Jake Elliott(20/27 – 74.0% – 41/42 – 97.6%) has made less than 80% of his field goal attempts. That 74% is glaring, yet the Eagles reworked his contract, instead of cutting him or bringing in a second player. Not sure about the reasoning on this. (-)
In A Nutshell: Mann should take photos with the Defense. Competition needs to be brought in for Elliott. (-)
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BOTTOM LINE:
The Eagles biggest problem, is mostly that they have to demonstrate that they don’t have any big problems. Speculation about them is rampant, but actual evidence of their demise, is sorely lacking. Prediction: 12 – 5
HEAD Coach Nick Sirianni, wisely manufactured a Bye week for our starters last week. Sadly, our back-ups fell just a little short of securing the #2 seed. Guess we’ll just have to settle for the #3 seed, and host at least one playoff game at home. This week’s opponent, the 49ers, chased seeding and played their starters last week. They not only lost the game, they got two of their starting LB’s injured, where they may miss this game.
So Nick was right.
With a 1,000 yard rusher in RB Saquon Barkley; two 1,000 yard receivers in WRA.J. Brown and WR DeVonta Smith; and TE Dallas Goedertwho caught 11 touchdown passes this season, the Eagles can put all kinds of different stress on defenses. Our opponent, really has the one guy, in RB Christian McCaffrey.
Can Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio, scheme up a way to minimize McCaffery’s impact on the game? Can LBZack Baun, CBCooper DeJean, and our man-eating Defensive Line execute that scheme? The smart money is on ‘YES!’.
With a win, we move onto the Divisional round. There, we’ll most likely travel to Chicago, to face the Bears. (Unless something really weird happens.)
With a loss, our season ends, but our players at least wouldn’t have to get on a plane, to come home and clean out their lockers.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals likeRunning the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Forty-Niners.
1) Run At Their DE’s:The 49ers are small, don’t have much depth, and are banged up, up front. Making matters worse, are their injuries at LB. Particularly at MLB, where their current starter was at home, unemployed three weeks ago. Shouldn’t take much for us to cause confusion and miscommunication in their second level.
What’s more, their pass rush has been anemic. Catching their DE’s playing the pass on 2nd and 8, or 3rd and 4, would be a nice way to gash big holes for Barkley. As a team, we need to put up 150 rushing yards. This should be like beating a fish in a race, because it doesn’t have legs and can’t breathe air. Their disadvantages are our advantages. Use them!
2) Get Their QB’s Feet Moving:He already doesn’t have a rocket launcher for an arm. So forcing deeper throws, while getting him to throw off-platform, could turn this game into a blowout in our favor. No need to blitz him, just rush him with a plan, and don’t let him get his feet set!
3) Unleash A.J. Brown:That man should see at least 8 targets, and at least two of them should be Go routes. The 49ers have nothing remotely in the form of an answer for Brown. So, we should take full advantage and put on a vulgar display of power. This week’s game should leave our next opponent shaken to their core.
4) Muddy Coverage Underneath:Corners in Man Coverage, Safeties slight delays on dropbacks, Linebackers in shallow zones. The idea is to keep the passing windows tight, and delay quick releases by the QB. Causing the QB to hold the ball longer activates our pass rush, and works hand-in-glove with making their QB move his feet.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
The 49ers let it slip last week, that the Eagles were not the opponent they wanted to face in the playoffs. Goes to show, they may talk a lot of shit, but they know exactly what the fuck is up. Every indication says that this game is essentially feeding rabbits to lions, and the San Francisco rabbits, KNOW IT.
This is provided that the Eagles can successfully muzzle our Offensive Coordinator. If we could somehow, get him into a large wooden crate marked “Fragile”, we could ship him somewhere, and the team would be safe! Alas, we may be stuck with him making actual decisions.
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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, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and 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.
WINNERS of the NFC East for a second year in a row! The division’s first back -to-back winner, since we last did it in 2004. With the clinching of our division comes the clinching of a playoff spot, and at least one playoff home game. However, all that good stuff is for later. There are still two more regular season games on our dance card.
After victories over two losing teams (Raiders and Commanders), we could really use a sparring match against an actual heavy hitter. Lucky for us, we face the 11 – 4 Bills this week. Even better, they have a difference making QB. That makes this exactly the kind of measuring stick game, that the Eagles need right now.
For the last couple games, it looks like our Offense (especially our run game), has gotten back on track. We need to demonstrate that against a playoff team. The Bills have been known this year for their generosity vs the run. Regardless of how generous they feel on Sunday, we need to show that if we want the yards, we can take them.
With a win, the Eagles would be 11 – 5, with the conference’s number two seed still up for grabs.
With a loss, we stall out at 10 – 6, and will likely stay locked in as the 3rd seed.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; andTackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Bills.
RB Saquon Barkley gets loose for another explosive run.
1) Run Off-Guard:The Bills top two DT’s are either going to either be out, or far from 100 percent. Also, after the brawl with Washington last week, it would be nice to see our Guards get more opportunity to unleash some violence, work up to the second level, and throw the Bills undersized LB’s, out of the club.
More than looking for rushing yards from this, I’m just looking for 10 or more hand-offs that hit the gap between the Guard and the Tackle. That’s the easiest path to get RB Saquon Barkley some explosive runs, so we need to be practicing it, to master it for when we call on it during the playoffs.
2) Exploit Our TE Mismatch: The Bills OLB’s haven’t made many plays vs the pass this season, and vs TE Dallas Goedert, I wouldn’t expect them to suddenly improve in that area. There’s just too much of a physical mismatch. It will be a crime if Goedert sees fewer than 6 targets in this game.
TE Dallas Goedert scoring a touchdown last week.
3) Mush the Rush:We need our DE’s to play the outside edges of the Tackles they’re facing. Their RB is no bulldozer. If we can keep the gaps narrow and trap him behind his blockers, it’ll make it hard for them to run off-Guard. For any plays that involve pitching or sweeping, those DE’s on the edge can now give chase, or spill plays wide.
Their QB has already run for 500 yard this season, usually because defenses vacate the middle of the field, and it allows him to run for drive sustaining first downs. Using LB Jihaad Campbell in a spy/shallow zone coverage, would give us the speed needed to quickly run their QB down, and take away easy passes over the middle.
4) Move Their QB’s Platform Left:Again, regarding their QB’s mobility, he can also throw on the move. Like most QB’s, he’s a righty, so the objective is to move him to his left. Take some velocity off of his throws, and alter his typical release angle, and he may just share one or two passes with us.
DE Brandon Graham sacks QB Josh Allen in 2023
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
While this game could help us improve our seeding, it’s real value (beyond the seeding thing), is that it practically doesn’t count at this point. That allows us to use it almost as a practice game, and lets us give quick hooks to key starters. We can also give our deep back-ups some game experience in case we need to call on them.
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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, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and 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.
Drive Killer: CB Cooper DeJean(TD: 0/Int: 1/ FR: 0/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 0)
Sack Leader: DE Brandon Graham(Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 1)
Special Teams Ace: N/A
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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Thingsarticles. 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: COMMANDERS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Exploit Age On the Perimeter: I mentioned working in a couple of Pitch/Toss runs and we did. Most notably on the 22 yard touchdown run by RB Tank Bigsby (4 – 37 – 9.2 – 1 – 0), in the fourth quarter, that salted the game away. I also mentioned working in a Jet Sweep. It wasn’t exactly a Sweep, but we did use WR DeVonta Smith (8 – 6 – 42 – 7.0 – 1) on a Shovel pass and run to the edge, that lost a yard.
As far as using the C/RG hole to run behind, I counted 7 hand-offs. One that went for double digits. In this case I wasn’t counting yards, but it was still a box hat we checked off. (DONE)
2) Exploit the Loaded Boxes:With the Eagles using fewer receiver bunch formations, the Commanders couldn’t quite pack the box, like teams have been doing for almost a year now. Our Offensive Line wasn’t looking at a man (or a man and a half) in every gap, so, Saquon started plays with time to at least reach the line.
TE Dallas Goedert hits paydirt
Commanders OLB Von Miller (1 tackle) was virtually invisible as a pass rusher in this game, and outlet passes to TE Dallas Goedert (3 – 3 – 32 – 10.6 – 1) and WR Jahan Dotson (3 – 3 – 13 – 4.3 – 0) were there for the taking, as every pass thrown to them, was completed.We took advantage of the few opportunities to exploit loaded boxes, that we were presented with.(DONE)
3) Stay Fresh Up Front: Washington came out playing No Huddle, but we still managed to get guys on and off the field okay. Until they got inside our 20 and then kept running it inside of our five yard line. They scored a touchdown on that drive.
Otherwise, we managed substitutions pretty well. Partly because, when the Commanders back-up QB (who had started this game) was knocked out of the game; they continued to try running the No Huddle with their third stringer. Which at times blew up in their faces, and then gave us opportunities to make substitutions. (DONE)
4) Force Longer Passes:We gave up a 40 yard pass that led to a later touchdown, and a pass interference in the end zone that led to another touchdown. Those were the kind of big plays that I said we risked giving up, with this strategy. However, we consistently took away options that would have let them be consistent.
CB Cooper DeJean intercepts a pass.
We took scrambling off the board, as the Commanders QB’s combined for 0 rushing yards on 2 carries. As far as passing they were 12/23 – 52.1% – 130 – 0 – 1. At no point were they allowed to be consistent, and so they eventually fell out of the game. (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was 4 of 4. This is the third week in a row like this, and one of the weeks was a loss. It feels weird, but this is what’s happening. Next week we head up north, in a measuring stick game vs the Bills. That game isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about looking at where our Offense truly is, when the other team is good at scoring.
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Game Hero: Defensive Co-ordinator Vic Fangio – It wasn’t “just the Raiders”. This was a division rival, that knows us well. Big deal. Fangio’s defense held them to 130 yards passing, and 91 rushing. For perspective, Washington averages 191 passing yards and 137 rushing yards, per game. Both are modest numbers, and we managed to keep them from even that.
Game goat: Special Teams – This game featured a Kick Returner fumbling the opening kickoff; a Punt Returner who is no threat to bring one back; and a Kicker with the yips. Aside from the onside recovery, this unit was an outright embarrassment.
On The Whole:
I liked the physicality that I saw in this game. From Saquon’s man-sized touchdown run, to the brawl after our fourth quarter two-point conversion. It was nice to see the Eagles fired up and dominating up front.
DT Jordan Davis tackle for loss.
Speaking of which, DT Jordan Davis (6 tackles, 2 for losses) seemed to single-handedly shutdown the Commanders run game. Davis of course had plenty of help, but every time you looked up, there he was. Blocking out the sun. Looking like a king-sized mattress with the number 90 printed on it. Totally engulfing ball carriers. Kick-ass!
TOTAL domination! It was a blowout/shutout, where we allowed just 75 yards all game long, while scoring 31 points. We adjusted to the weather, and instead of throwing it a ton, we ran for 183 yards, controlling the clock for 39 minutes. We responded well to what was happening around us, and stayed in control of what we could control. For example, not playing down to the opponent.
This week’s opponent, the 4 – 10 Commanders, didn’t build enough foundation in the off-season. Now injury, age, and a lack of depth, have them already eliminated from playoff contention. Usually teams like that want to play spoiler. However, with nine other teams with records of 4 – 10 or worse, the Commanders coaching staff may tank to keep or improve their top ten spot in the upcoming Draft.
A win moves us to 10 – 5, clinching both the 2025 NFC East title and a playoff berth.
A loss holds us to 9 – 6. While we would still be in the lead to win the division, we would make things much more complicated for ourselves.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the COMMANDERS.
RB Saquon Barkley rips off a 60 yard TD run.
1) Exploit Age On the Perimeter:Between the Commanders starting DE’s and OLB’s, the respective ages are 33, 30, 29 and 36. Let’s get a couple of toss/pitch runs to RB Saquon Barkley, and maybe a Jet Sweep to WR Jahan Dotson. Let’s challenge any steps those defenders may have lost to age, as well as stress their joints with change of direction.
That’s not to say that we shouldn’t test the middle. We need to. Especially between C Cam Jurgens and RG Tyler Steen. We haven’t had much success running there this season. If opponents see us avoid trying to, it makes us easier to scheme against. There are no yardage goals here, but let’s get for at least four runs in that hole, to assess later.
2) Exploit the Loaded Box: The leading pass rusher for the Commanders is OLB Von Miller with 7 sacks. They like to play him over the RT. He has no real coverage responsibilities and doesn’t make plays in that phase of the game. Quick completions outside to TE Dallas Goedertshould be easy.
In the event that the Commanders rock and roll their Safeties, that should put their one player in Single-high coverage and leave their RCB in one-on-one. If we see that early, we need to test that early. Otherwise, lean on the run, throw to Goedert when he’s open, and let the clock keep ticking.
3) Stay Fresh Up Front: You may not know it, but the #4 rushing attack in the league belongs to the Commanders. They don’t have one scary player, instead it’s a group effort. Mobile QB, fresh RB’s cycling in and out. (None of whom are great receivers.)
We need to counter that with staying fresh up front. Keep a close eye and when they sub, we sub. Their RB’s aren’t more talented than our defenders. So it makes no sense to allow them clutch plays, just because we got tired. Rotate our stock out there.
4) Force Longer Passes:If we play Cover Two and take away most of the quick underneath stuff, early in the game, it will also aid us in limiting yards off of QB scrambles. This places a lot of emphasis on making tackles at the catch point.
OLB Zack Baun punches the ball out for a turnover.
It also invites the possibility of the Commanders hitting on big plays, in front of their home crowd. So it comes with a little risk. That said, QB Marcus Mariota isn’t exactly known for accuracy, and even if their LT plays, his oblique injury will keep him from being anywhere close to 100%.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
Players play for pride, and many Commanders players are at this point, auditioning for jobs next year. So winning matters to them. Commanders coaches on the other hand, may be itching to move as far up as possible in next years Draft, to start being able to build around QB Jayden Daniels.
While I don’t expect the Commanders to just roll over for us, we may not get their best effort, top to bottom. I don’t care. I just want to clinch this playoff berth. We’d do them a favor by winning, and they’d do us a favor by losing. So, let’s go pick up this “W”, and start officially working on our bid to get RT Lane Johnson and DE Brandon Graham, their third Super Bowl wins.
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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, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and 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.
Special Teams Ace: WR Britain Covey (PR: 3 – 54 – 18.0 – 0)
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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)
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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.
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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.
TAKING a loss to the Bears has no dishonor in it. However, the way we lost, requires redemption. Our front seven is better than being pushed around like that, and we need an opportunity to prove it.
Lo and behold the Chargers appear! They are a team that believes in running the ball and running it violently. This is perfect! This is the fight that we need, or the fight we need to learn from before the playoffs begin. Understand, Chicago did us a favor by exposing a weakness. The Chargers now get to help us fix it.
With a win we’re 9 – 4, extending our lead over the NFC East, and still in the conversation for winning the #1 Seed in the conference.
A loss drops us to 8 – 5, but still in the lead for the division, though still catchable.
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The point of Four Thingsisn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Chargers.
1) Get Saquon 90 Rushing Yards:We have to get RB Saquon Barkleyback on track. Not the team. Saquon. This team’s identity is as a running team. It’s time to get back to making the main thing the main thing, by doing what we do the main way.
2) Beat On Their QB:They have a QB with a broken (non-passing) hand and they’re starting him anyway. If they were concerned about how much we might hit him, they wouldn’t be doing that. A message about us, is being sent to us, and the rest of the NFL. At the end of the day, they will either be correct to have sent it, or they will have to admit it was a massive mistake.
3) Overwhelm Their Offensive Line:Every team’s offense starts with their offensive line, and the Chargers don’t have a good one. Make a point of showing that. They’re a big group, but not a particularly nimble footed one. Get them on E/T stunts, and diagonal surges.
4) Throw the Uppercut: If they load the box against our run, to keep us from jabbing the body; then we should throw the uppercut and hit them down the seams with TE Dallas Goedertand WR Jahan Dotson. That will keep their Safeties in the middle of the field and set up our Hooks, when we go deep to WR’s A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
The Eagles have hit some pretty rough sailing this season, and people are wondering if we’re about to be sunk. That has everyone looking at next week against the Raiders as our “get right” game. That said, I think beating a bottom-feeder should hardly count as getting right. We need to beat a winning team in order to say that we’re righting the ship. So going cross-country to chalk the Chargers in their home, sounds like exactly what we need.
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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, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days forFour Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
