Eagles vs Falcons: What we learned in last night’s crushing loss

On a night when Jason Kelce returned to Philadelphia via the Monday Night Football booth, coupled with the retirement of Super Bowl hero Nick Foles, the anticipation of Eagles vs Falcons proved to be larger than the excitement on the field. 

The fans came out ready to party, but the slow start, a failed 3rd down attempt, and a remarkable Kirk Cousins game-winning drive hushed the crowd.

This was a gut-wrenching one-point loss that leaves many more questions than answers for the Eagles and their fans.

Eagles Offense

Nick Siranni is going for it on 4th down from the Eagle’s 10-yard line instead of taking the easy field goal; it is just in his nature. He will win more than he loses, but that FG could have won the game. The gamble to throw on 3rd down with less than 2 minutes left to Saquon Barkley (which should have been caught) will also be debated. Barkley makes that catch 95 out of 100 times. The play also has a built-in mechanism for Hurts to kneel and take the sack if Barkley is not wide open. I do not dislike the play call. I would rather rely on the offense winning a game than the defense preserving it. 

The offensive line has to clean up the penalties. There were too many holding calls and illegal men downfield.

The Brotherly Shove was effective without Jason Kelce.

Jalen Hurt’s legs were on display Monday night, and the broadcast stated his 42 rushing yards on the touchdown drive was the most by any QB in a drive this season. Reports of his rushing ability being a thing of the past were grossly exaggerated. The desperation heave intercepted to end the game does not concern me as much as not finishing off drives with touchdowns. 

DeVonta Smith is clutch! When you need a must-have reception, you call his number. Smitty came down with a big touchdown grab in the first half. He also had numerous grabs to move the chains. He is a true No. 1 receiver. 

Saquon Barkley had a 9.5 YPC average in the first quarter. He is rejuvenated, explosive, and needs to be used even more than he has been. That first drive stalled as soon as he was removed from the field. He brings an energy and skill set missing from the offense for the last couple of seasons. His drop in the 4th quarter will haunt him. The love affair between the Eagles and Barkley is firmly intact, but the boo birds were out after that drop. 

Britain Covey had a lot of nice catches with YAC called back due to penalties on linemen illegally down the field. Kellen Moore tried to get him involved in the passing game this week. Some of the extra opportunities are because AJ Brown missed the game with a hamstring injury, but these are the same reps he was showcasing this summer. He may have a role in the offense. Covey had six targets versus the Falcons. 

Dallas Goedert’s run-blocking was great, but he has been quiet in the passing game. 

Losing AJ Brown slowed the offense, and his targets mainly went to Britain Covey.

Kellen Moore’s playcalling was frustrating to watch at times. 

Eagles Defense:

The holes in zone coverage are so big any QB makes receptions.

I will have to wait and see the stats, but the eye test tells me the tackling was bad.

I have written about it since the summer; the lack of an Eagle’s pass rush off the edge is a major concern. Most of the pressure the Eagles are generating is from the interior line.

The Edge rushers do not contain the edge. 

Eagles DE Josh Sweat had one of the two QB hits on Kirk Cousins. He also had four tackles. They need a lot more from their veteran edge rusher. He struggled mightily versus the run.

Nolan Smith was expected to take a sophomore leap. After two weeks of quiet play from the Eagles’ pass-rusher it may not be time to hit the panic button, but it is fair to wonder if he was expected to contribute more than he will produce.

Bryce Huff is not only unable to get pressure off the edge, he is struggling against the run. He was a good player with the Jets and will likely improve upon these first 2 games as an Eagle, but there has to be a level of concern.

Quinyon Mitchell is looking like a shutdown corner two weeks into his career. He loves to talk to everyone in an opposing jersey after every play. That type of instigating reminds me of another player on the Eagles’ defense.

CJGJ is like a gnat who annoys his opponents. He is always vocal and gets in his counterpart’s head. He got punched after a play, which resulted in a 15-yard penalty. He is fun to watch if he is on your team. The Safety made the play of the game with a vicious hit on Bijan Robinson, on an important 4th down attempt by the Falcons. 

Milton Williams had a nice sack to stop a long Falcons drive, forcing them to settle for a field goal. He is playing for a new contract and starting to earn some money. 

Jalen Carter has not been able to finish off many of the plays in the backfield. This allows opposing offenses too much time. He also needs to win more reps against the run. It is a lot to ask of the 2nd year tackle, but that is what they went up to draft him for. If he does not shine, the defense will struggle this season. 

Jordan Davis with the oxygen ten minutes into the game is curious. 

Zack Baun does not have the same stats as week one, how could he, but he was still very active and an integral part of what Fangio is doing on defense.

Eagles Special Teams:

The new kickoff rule adds no excitement to the game. None.