It appeared through three quarters that it was another ugly Eagles performance, with the Chargers marching into the end zone courtesy of an Omari Hampton four-yard touchdown reception from Justin Herbert and subsequent five Jalen Hurts turnovers.
In between all of those events, the Eagles and Chargers on Monday night football was like a game mixed together in that fruit juicer that DeVonta Smith is so fond of.
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Eagles squandered big-play opportunities and quality offensive possessions featuring AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert, but did come within 13–9 through three quarters.As the fourth quarter began , the Eagles ran a hurry-up and a fake Tush Push to take the lead 16–13. Following another Hurts interception, the Eagles’ defense responded once again, but the Chargers ultimately tied the game at 16–16. With less than three minutes left in the game up 16–13 — Jalen Hurt lofted a perfect pass to AJ Brown at the back of the end zone that was dropped.
Los Angeles then tied the game at the end of the 4th quarter. Philadelphia also squandered a near-complete defensive performance featuring seven sacks on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and three takeaways of their own. Then, in overtime , the Chargers took the ball first and kicked a go-ahead field goal.
The Eagles responded by connecting on big plays on the next drive, featuring connections from Hurts to Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and AJ Brown. On 1st and 10 inside the Chargers 20 — Hurts faked a handoff and was intercepted at the one-yard line by Los Angeles Safety Tony Jefferson.
Then the second half happened like chapters three and four in Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight.
In other words , downhill really, really fast.
Thirty years after a Dallas Cowboys Dynasty dominated the NFL, the Eagles were in position to take one step closer to establishing their own with a complete game of their own on Sunday. Three weeks after Jerry Jones made certain that Philadelphia could not obtain Micah Parsons during a trade to Green Bay , it didn’t seem to matter at all, at least not during the 1st two quarters.
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Eagles’ 2025 season woes didn’t seem to follow them on the fight to Texas at all as the Eagles jumped out to a 21–0 advantage at AT&T Stadium as Philadelphia opened the scoring with a sixteen-yard connection from Jalen Hurts to A.J. Brown. A healthy dose of Hurts to Brown continued as Jalen Hurts ran for two additional scores — one after a long drive directly preceding a Turbin fumble. That would be the end of the Eagles’ scoring.
The rest of the game would see the Eagles turn the football over twice, amassing ninety-six yards in penalties as the Dallas defense continued to pick away at the Eagles’ defense , tying the game at 21, thanks to 354 yards passing from Dak Prescott, and finally leading to a 42-yard Brandon Aubrey Field Goal.
The only saving grace — the Eagles play again against Chicago in five days.
Almost sixty-five years after Jim Taylor was tackled by Chuck Bednarik at the eight-yard line to give the Eagles their third World Championship 17–13 at Franklin Field — the Eagles squeaked out a 10–7 win in Green Bay on Monday night.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
For the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers — the contest was as close as it could be on Monday night. Miscues by both team led to the game only being separated by a 3–0 advantage. The Packers drove into Eagles territory on the first drive of the third quarter but a long pass play — Love to Cameron Wicks — was nullified by a penalty. On the insuing drive — Hurts found Saquon Barkley for a 41-yard screen pass. On the next play — Hurts found DeVonta Smith for a 36-yard score to take a 10–0 lead.
The Eagles then followed by holding off the Packers in the last eight minutes of the game. Josh Jacobs scored for Green Bay with only 5:49 left in the fourth quarter. At times — it appeared that Philadelphia had won the game. With 4:52 left in the game — Hurts found Devonta Smith on a 3rd and 12 to move the chains. But the two could not connect on a 3rd down and eight in the same drive. The Eagles stopped the Packers on 4th down with only 1:26 left on the clock and Jaelan Phillips recovered a Josh Jacobs fumble. With less than a minute left in the game — the Eagles went for it on fourth and eight with an incomplete pass down the sideline to AJ Brown.
Brandon McManus’ game-tying field goal floated wide as time expired to give the Eagles the win.
If you took in the excitement of the HBCU Battle of the Legends at Lincoln Financial Field last Thursday night — then you probably brought back some fond memories of DeSean Jackson accelerating down the sideline at Lincoln Financial Field for a touchdown. It’s sometimes easy to forget that against the Dallas Cowboys back in 2020— Jackson was the recipient of an eighty-one yard touchdown pass from then-rookie Jalen Hurts.
When the Eagles take the field this Monday night after a two-week hiatus — Jalen Hurts will be looking for his 101st touchdown pass of his relatively young career. Right before the bye week — Hurts connected with Jahan Dotson for a 40-yard score to give him one hundred regular-season touchdown passes for his career coupled with over 16,000 yards.
Last season — the Eagles won the Super Bowl by making Saquon Barkley and the running game the focal point of an offense that was perfectly complimented by one of the best passing attack’s in all of the NFL. This year — in the wake of opponents who are circling the Eagles on their calendar — it will take more from both facets of the offense to win another.
While you are digesting the century mark for one of the NFL’s top passers — consider this. Jalen Hurts has connected with former Philadelphia World Champions Alshon Jeffrey, and Zach Ertz for scoring plays. He’s also connected with former Falcons All-Pro receiver Julio Jones. And he’s made a highlight reel of spectacular aerial completions to current teammates AJ Brown and Devonta Smith.
Jalen Hurts has the benefit of exceptional hindsight. The 27-year old has won two NFC Championships and one Super Bowl. He’s already undoubtedly the best Eagles post-season quarterback ever. But to win another Super Bowl this year — he knows that he’ll need just a few more of those picture-perfect aerial plays.
Until then — we’ll savior every touchdown toss until the next 100. But whose counting?
Even through offensive inconsistencies. An Offensive Coordinator nobody seems confident in, and a run game that seems to be non-existent. The Eagles have a wide receiver looking to put up career high numbers if he can keep pace for 10 more games.
Racking Up The Yards
After putting up 183 receiving yards against the Vikings on Sunday. Devonta Smith set a new career high for most yards in a game. Surpassing his previous total of 169 which came against the Commanders in 2022.
With a total of 504 receiving yards through 7 games in the 2025 campaign. Smith currently sits at 9th across the league in receiving yards, sitting just behind Christian McCaffrey’s 516 and above Drake London’s 469.
But will Smith be able to keep pace?
The Eagles offense has shown struggles for 7 weeks and has yet to play a full four quarters. Are all of their woes to be blamed on the offensive lines play? Or are the problems stemming from an inexperienced play caller?
10 Games To Go
With 10 games left in the season, Smith is currently on pace for a total of 1,224 receiving yards. Potentially surpassing his previous high of 1,196 yards which he achieved in the 2022 season.
On top of being able to set a new high for receiving yards, Smith is on pace for 92 receptions on the year. Just 3 shy of his 95 reception total, also from the 2022 season.
Both are achievable if the Eagles offense is able to continue putting up performances similar to Week 7. Has Kevin Patullo finally found a rhythm that doesn’t stall the offense during pivotal drives? Or did the Eagles talent on offense manage to over power the Vikings defense?
This Sunday, the Eagles take on the Giants in their first Kelly Green game of the season. With a laundry list of players on the Thursday injury report, will they be walking in to another trap against Jaxson Dart & Cam Skattebo? Or did the Eagles learn their lesson after a 34-17 loss to send them to 4-2 two weeks ago.
The Eagles responded to two key criticisms of the 2025 iteration of their team on Sunday afternoon in Minnesota against the Vikings. The Eagles took to the air — with the syncronized synergy of Jalen Hurts to AJ Brown and Devonta Smith taking center stage. Before the afternoon was over — Hurts had once again delivered his deep ball with precise precision — resulting in Devonta Smith’s biggest game of his career with nine receptions for 183 yards and a score including a 79-yard touchdown catch. The play was the longest reception by an Eagles receiver in over a decade.
AJ Brown added four receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Hurts became the first Eagles quarterback in franchise history to complete 82% of his passes for at least 325 yards with no interceptions going 19 for 23. On the other side of the ball after a tough week including a Za’Darius Smith untimely retirement— the Eagles defensive line had Wentz running for most of the day creating two interceptions.
The scoring opened with a 37-yard touchdown to AJ Brown in the first quarter on 4th down. Then in the second quarter Eagles pressure helped to create a Jalyx Hunt 42-yard touchdown return to put Philadelphia ahead 14–3. At the 8:17 mark of the third quarter — Hurts found Smith for that 79-yard strike to bring the lead to 21–9. The Vikings pulled to 21–19 before Hurts found AJ Brown again for 26-yards and a score. After the Vikings pulled to 28–22 — on the final drive of the game for the Eagles — Hurts found Brown again for 45 yards to help to run out the clock.
Carson Wentz is now 0–2 as a starter vs the Eagles.
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It is shaping up to be a potentially interesting season once again for the National Football Conference East franchise, the Philadelphia Eagles, as we opened the 2025 NFL campaign with four straight wins and inexplicably fell to two straight defeats to boast a 4- 2 record as we begin slowly edging towards the month of November.
Amongst all the stories and headlines that have been created by the season that the Iggles seem to be having right now, there is a very troublesome one when it comes to the reported and speculated future of 28-year-old wide receiver A. J. Brown.
For the press and media, they have won the proverbial jackpot at an anonymous crypto casino because most of their sources so far have also been anonymous. But it seems that Arthur Juan appears to be an unhappy bunny at the moment. He has again sparked questions about what the future might hold as he has again recently taken to the world wide web to post yet another cryptic message, which has left many believing that his frustrations will inevitably lead to one of the most unexpected trades of the season.
Credit: ClutchPoints
In the matchups played so far, Brown has clearly not had the season that he, or others in the NFL, would have expected, as the six games so far have returned 274 receiving yards and a single touchdown. It is very fair to say that Brown is likely as frustrated as everyone else right now, but it naturally raises the question of his happiness with the franchise and whether his head is right, given that he feels his time may now be at an end in Philly.
Given his wider social media form it was naturally inevitable that the words ‘In my distress I prayed to the LORD and the LORD answered me and set me free…’ would create concern and an almost endless stream of debate, and many (possibly wrongly) believe that the only interpretation that makes sense is that he is digging in for a move and simply showing perseverance in the uncertainty that has now been created.
It is also very fair to say that others have read it as a direct response to the front office rumors and Howie Roseman in particular, given leaks that they would explore trading him, as discontentment and arguably resentment continue to grow
Having joined the Eagles back in 2022 on a $100 million deal, with a further three year $96 million uplift extension agreed in 2024, it has been quite the fall from grace and Eagles fans will not appreciate the fact that we have another round of rumors simply owing to the fact that (whatever his issues are) he cannot seem to put his phone down.
Not least, he was integral last season with 1079 yards and seven touchdowns as we took a 40-22 win over Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX – it was Brown’s first championship in the NFL, yet something has gone majorly wrong this year, and there is clear discontentment in the camp. Brown actually stated that he ‘didn’t recall’ a claimed meeting with Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley to discuss concerns, despite the quarterback’s own public words as he emphasized team unity.
The mystery about his mindset will continue, and undoubtedly his fans amongst the fan base will continue to dwindle the longer this goes on – especially if it is not sorted by the November 4 trade deadline.
Trailing by 14 points against the defending champion Eagles, who had not lost a home game in 13 months, the Broncos rallied for a 21-17 victory, surviving a heart-in-a-blender Hail Mary pass.
This game threatened to become a blowout. Instead, it became the blueprint. You saw it. Run the ball. Convert third downs. Use the middle of the field. Turn Nik Bonitto loose (not sure if he showers after games or just licks his paws).
As the football sat lonely in the corner of the end zone with time expired, safety Talanoa Hufanga taunted Philadelphia fans, raising his arms in the air for dramatic effect. The swagger and confidence were no longer just a locker room thing, but in the light for everyone to see.
The Broncos are back in every January conversation.
They are 3-2 and should be favored in their next seven games. In a remarkable final 15 minutes, they transformed the lingering narrative that they were frauds into a story inspiring fear.
These players, who were the equivalent of a clenched fist after walk-off losses to the Colts and Chargers, punched back.
Enough was enough.
“When that ball went up in the air and those two (Eagles receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown) thought they had it, there was no way I was letting that happen,” Surtain said. “It wasn’t going to be a horror story. Not today. We were writing the perfect story.”
Puff out your chest, Broncos Country. Embrace this group.
Why not? Sean Payton wants the bright lights, the biggest challenges, and his team beat the champs as he passed mentor Bill Parcells on the NFL’s all-time wins list. The Broncos knocked out a great team. In a close game.
Want to be taken seriously? Beat teams you are not supposed to beat in games you are not supposed to win.
That was Sunday.
“That is just who we are,” left tackle Garett Bolles said. “We believe in each other.”
They were all they had through three quarters. At one point, the Broncos punted six straight times. CBS did not assign Jim Nantz and Tony Romo this game to narrate a documentary on Jeremy Crawshaw. The excuses were lining up. Short week. Early start back East. Visiting teams prior to a game in London were 10-17.
“And then we come out and make mistakes. I obviously had one,” said cornerback Riley Moss, who Smith outran for a 52-yard completion on third-and-17. “But guys never stopped competing.”
The fourth quarter turned paint-by-numbers into Picasso.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) on a keeper against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Oct. 05, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Bo Nix looked like an elite quarterback.
He led three scoring drives, completing 9 of 10 passes for 127 yards. He found Evan Engram, who was called out by Payton for bad body language. Engram responded to the challenge with two catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. Nix turned to the one player he never had chemistry with last season, college teammate Troy Franklin, drilling a strike for a two-point conversion. And when it mattered most, he leaned on Courtland Sutton — they share the same biorhythms on third down.
Even then, the Broncos needed one more drive to close out the Eagles, and J.K. Dobbins became the Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki.
They won between the lines. But also conquered demons between their ears, improving to 3-8 in one-score games over the past two years, including 2-2 this season.
“Today we showed we’re mentally tough,” Dobbins said. “We showed we are a dangerous team.”
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (27) finds running room against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Oct. 05, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Let’s be clear. This is Payton’s signature win with the Broncos. Better than the victories at Buffalo, at Tampa Bay and the streak-buster against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles were 20-1 in their last 21 games.
“You always get a chance to see where you are at. We talked a lot about that,” Payton said. “Our guys did a good job of preparing, and I think the locker room prior today felt like this would be the result. I have done this long enough. I have pretty good instincts.”
And you wonder if the message to run the ball — written again on his play sheet — finally seeped into his brain as the Broncos imposed their will. Unable to win at the line of scrimmage, the Eagles crossed the line. The Broncos benefitted from a suspect personal foul on linebacker Zach Braun that extended a late drive. And Denver’s patience was rewarded when Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo committed malpractice.
With Philadelphia holding a 14-point cushion, he kept passing. At one point, the Eagles had a 20-second drive. Saquon Barkley finished with six carries. One in the fourth.
The same criticisms we have lobbed at the Broncos applied to them. The Eagles abandoned the run. They got cute. And they did dumb stuff.
Sunday, the Broncos were not the same ol’ Broncos. They were the old Broncos. Like from 2015. A team that had the discipline, defense and determination to beat anyone, anywhere.
No, Denver was not without sin. This was not perfection. But it was retribution.
In the smoke-filled celebratory locker room, Payton stood in front of the team and asked a simple question: Who are you afraid of?
The answer? Nobody!
“It was electric,” Moss said. “We proved something today.”
The Eagles played a perfect football game back on Feb. 9th. It happened to also be Super Bowl LIX.
Since then, fans have expected perfect football and even though they were undefeated going into Sunday and the NFC betting favorites to get back to Super Bowl LX, they have been about as far from perfect as a perfect team can be.
For whatever reason, the 4-1 Eagles — after blowing a two score fourth quarter lead to the Broncos — just can’t seem to play 60 minutes of winning football.
Last year it took about a month to find a groove, too. Perhaps they’ll get there, but a 21-17 loss at home Sunday was far from perfect and gave the Eagles their first blemish of the year.
Here’s a look at an aspect of the Eagles that is finally seeing its stock price rise, and one that’s a little less exciting from Week 5’s devastating loss at The Linc:
Stock up: The skill guys 📈
There had been a lot of chatter, despite the Eagles being undefeated, about the superstar skill players basically not getting the ball at all to start the season.
A.J. Brown, who averages 76.4 yards per game over his career, entered Week 5 at 37.8. DeVonta Smith was down to 39.5 from 64.2. over his career. And Saquon Barkley, who had the most rushing yards in the history of the NFL over the 2024 regular and postseasons, was averaging 3.1 yards per carry through four games.
Jalen Hurts was not shy to throw the deep ball, uncorking several attempts down the field to both keep the defense honest and give the wideouts opportunities to make big plays.
Brown trailed Smith by one target to lead the Eagles with eight, including a key third down conversion and — not in the stat sheet — drawing a pass interference call against Patrick Surtain II at the goal line leading to Dallas Goedert’s fourth receiving score of the year.
That drive score was set up by an incredible DeVonta Smith monster 52-yard basket catch down the sideline on third and 16.
Smith gained 114 yards on eight catches.
Barkley also looked more spry and added his longest run of the season, 17 yards, but his highlight play came on a wheel route deep ball that Barkley tracked down on a 47-yard touchdown catch.
When’s the last time you can remember all of the Eagles’ key players being included in the offense?
Reigning rushing champion Barkley averaged six yards per carry over his first five carries in the first half Sunday afternoon. He didn’t get his sixth until the Eagles had blown a 14 point lead inside seven minutes to play in the fourth quarter. That’s quite a long time between hand-offs.
For whatever reason, the Eagles decided to make themselves one-dimensional, as even Hurts decided not to spin his legs, running just two times for three yards.
With Landon Dickerson out and a clearly less than 100% Lane Johnson blocking up front, a downtick makes sense. And with a handful of penalties that put the Eagles in passing situations — like a first-down false start on a toss to Barkley that set the Birds back to a first-and-15 and three passes and out — it did make sense that the Eagles were more pass happy.
But the ground game issues are nothing new this season. Even when the line was healthy it couldn’t block well for Barkley.
The Eagles entered play this week with the fourth-worst yards per rush in the NFL (3.1) and the 15th-most yards per game (113.5). The Broncos ran 29 times for 130 yards (4.5 ypc), riding their tandem of RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins to a near comeback effort in the fourth quarter. As a result, they won the time of possession battle 34:17. Philly ran just 11 times for 45 yards.
It’s hard to feel good about the offense even after a banner day through the air. It seems like no matter what they do well, it comes with some other part of the team playing badly — as if it’s a zero-sum game.
It’s a long season but the weaknesses are varied and changing every single week. Will a short week and trip up I-95 to face the lackluster Giants put them back on track?
Every NFL Game Has Two Halves — The Team that Wins the Second Half Wins the Game.
Admittedly — an ugly 3–0 is much, much better than a beautiful 0–3. For the Eagles — whose Sunday opening half performance saw only 33 yards of total offense and no receptions for star receiver A.J. Brown — things were not looking good at halftime. They looked even bleaker when Rams Running Back Kyren Williams took a ten-yard pass from Matthew Stafford into the end zone to bring the score to 26–7.
Then the real game started. The result would be the eighth greatest comeback in Eagles franchise history — the largest ever at the Linc — outscoring Los Angeles 26–0.
In the third quarter — Dallas Goedert grabbed a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts after a 79-yard drive. Then the Eagles scored again on a nine-yard connection from Hurts to A.J. Brown.
After both teams traded possessions including a couple of fourth down attempts that were not converted and a Jalen Carter blocked field goal and subsequent taunting penalty — the Eagles drove 91 yards on 17 plays when Jalen Hurts connected with Devonta Smith on 4th and Goal to put the Eagles up 27–26 with 1:48 left in the game.
The Rams then drove down the field — setting up a 44-yard field goal attempt by Los Angeles kicker Joshua Karty. Once again the Eagles got a great push up the middle and Jordan Davis blocked the attempt and returned it for a touchdown as time expired.
The irony is that the Eagles defense was successful in holding the Rams to four field goals in the first half instead of touchdowns. The most important of those two attempts for the Rams— were both blocked by the Eagles.
How Fearless Calls Are the Formula for An Eagles Repeat for the Franchise.
It started here during Doug Pederson’s tenure, quickly becoming the hallmark of the franchise’s first two Super Bowl victories. Aggressive offensive play calls, placing dust on special teams units and leaving the offense on the field on 4th and short, and trading conservative play-calling for an attacking downfield mentality. But it’s one thing to make those calls during the NFL regular season — quite another during the Super Bowl.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
With time running down in the second half — the Eagles already up (27–0 —) were one score away from putting the game away and securing the franchises’ second Super Bowl win. After Kansas City turned the ball over on downs courtesy of Avonte Maddox in one of his last plays as an Eagle knocking the ball away from DeAndre Hopkins — the entire globe thought that the Eagles would run the ball to keep the clock moving — almost.
What followed was a play-action fake to Saquon Barkley and a 46-yard soaring strike to Devonta Smith. It not only sealed the game — but also broke the backs of the Chiefs.
For the Eagles — who open the season on Thursday night right here against the Dallas Cowboys and have one of the hardest schedules in the NFL — that brash approach to offense may just be one of the keys to success yet again in 2025.
The Eagles are the team that everyone is looking forward to on the schedule. Teams want play them — and want to be them. That means that they will go all out in order to stifle the Eagles potent offensive attack. Last season’s commitment by then offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to ride Saquon Barkley and the running game and develop passing off of that — will not be as easy in 2025.
Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni has laid out the Eagles approach to 2025 already — no repeat championships — only a new championship for a brand new season with a fresh approach. It may be a good thought — though keeping the aggressive nature that not only has come to define the Eagles and their brash Head Coach — but has brought them hardware.
And incorporated into a fearless game-plan — can deliver even more this year — including the occasional dagger at just the right moment.
In their past three seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles have accumulated a 39–12 regular-season record and appeared in two Super Bowls. After narrowly falling by their hands in 2022, the Birds humiliated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs en route to their second Lombardi Trophy win last winter.
These accomplishments alone have the Eagles on the brink of a dynasty—another title would surely put them there. Given the team’s assortment of game-breaking talent, they might be in luck.
Eagles’ Returning Game-Breakers
General manager Howie Roseman has done such an excellent job adding talent to the Eagles that it’s hard to put into words. He built what many called a “superteam” in 2022, but only improved the roster over the next couple of seasons.
But let’s stick with the players who oversaw both Super Bowls. Starting with Jalen Hurts, he’s one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL—immense rushing upside and one of the most efficient passers in the sport. He’s not necessarily the most gifted, but he gets high-end results. When the Eagles have needed him to perform the most, that’s often when he has shone the brightest.
Then, you have the offensive line. Landon Dickerson deserves a shootout here, but tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson are definitely in that “game-breaking” tier. Recognized as two of the best exterior linemen in the sport, they make the offense’s life easier by consistently and emphatically winning their assignments.
Next, wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have been one of the league’s top one-two punches for a few years now. Coming up clutch in late-down situations and with huge contested-catch upside, they’ve flipped games on their head. Both have fourth-down snags to their name in the NFC Championship, leading to a momentum-altering touchdown a short while later.
Eagles’ “New” Game-Breakers
Over the past couple of seasons, the Eagles have added three game-breaking talents: Saquon Barkley, Zack Baun, and Jalen Carter. Their two recently drafted cornerbacks may get there (if they haven’t arrived already), but those are the big three who the Birds would’ve had no chance in 2024 without.
PHOTO: Eagles Nation on X
Barkley’s impact is self-explanatory. Setting the NFL record for rushing yards in a single season (2,504), he rushed about 1,000 yards over what would have been considered a huge win for the Birds. Winning games early in the season virtually by himself, and taking long-distance runs to the house in the playoffs, the MVP love he got was deserved.
Baun was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate last season. He was the nucleus of that core, preventing big rushes and forcing turnovers at the most pivotal moments. For a team that often struggled in both of those areas before his arrival, he changed the game for the Birds.
Finally, we have Carter. Already one of the most feared defensive linemen in the league, the 24-year-old should have about a decade of game-breaking football. His most influential play came on a third-down sack of Matthew Stafford in the NFC Divisional Round in January. With the Los Angeles Rams on the verge of a last-second go-ahead touchdown, the youngster saved the day and the Eagles’ season.
The Eagles have something special here. With eight game-breaking talents on the roster (if not more), their excellence can be felt every week. It’s why Philadelphia’s hopes of yet another Super Bowl title are quite realistic.
13 Days after acquiring Jakorian Bennett from the Raiders, and 5 days after wondering if the Eagles had finished their off-season shopping. They struck again with another trade.
This time, the Eagles finished off the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade by re-acquiring the pick they previously swapped.
Recent NFL WR trade hauls:
–Skyy Moore (2022 2nd-rnd pick) from KC to SF for 2026/2027 6th/7th pick swap –John Metchie (2022 2nd-rnd pick) + 2026 6th from PHI to HOU for Harrison Bryant, 2026 5th –Devaughn Vele (2024 7th-rnd pick) from DEN to NO for 2026 4th, 2027 6th
Moving on from Harrison Bryant was one of multiple moves teams made this week by trading roster bubble players before the 53 man deadline on the 26th.
If Metchie was on the Texans bubble and at risk of being waived. The Eagles have the 32nd priority on the waiver wire, and would lose out players they’re after. Instead, teams are swapping late round picks to grab players they otherwise might not stand a chance acquiring next week.
Ahead Of Unforeseen Circumstances
The Eagles made a trade for a receiver that had many asking questions.
Is A.J. Browns injury worse than perceived?
Do the Eagles have bigger plans coming?
What did this mean for Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith or Darius Cooper?
Well, one of the receivers in question had their year ended when news broke that Johnny Wilson will be missing the 2025 season due to injury. Making the decision on how many receivers will make the 53 man roster a little easier.
Now the Eagles can carry 6 receivers without leaving a preseason sensation on waivers or to the practice squad.
A.J. Brown
DeVonta Smith
Jahan Dotson
John Metchie III
Ainias Smith
Darius Cooper
Are They Done Yet?
There’s still 5 days until the deadline. And even that hasn’t stopped Howie Roseman & Co. Before. With multiple trades coming right after roster cut downs leaves the Eagles with plenty of last minute options.
And for a team that still has 13 picks in the 2026 draft. They have more than enough capital to round out the perfect roster on their road to Super Bowl 60.
If you watched any portion of Alabama’s domination of the SEC and College football during the nearly first two decades of the 21st century — you may have seen the Devonta Smith and Jalen Hurts. And you almost certainly saw John Metchie III.
Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.
The Eagles are a treasure-trove of talent — much of it from the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide. Now they’ve got one more.
On Sunday — the Eagles traded TE Harrison Bryant and a fifth round selection to the Houston Texans on exchange for a sixth round selection and wide receiver John Metchie III.
Metchie’s addition may add another weapon to an already strong wide receiver room with AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson — but may not bode so well for Terry Morin, Elijah Cooks, Ainias Smith, Giles Jackson, Darius Cooper or Terrace Marshall, Jr. The upcoming solidification of the roster will soon let us know.
Metchie is a former CFP National Champion (2020) a two-time winner of the Jon Cornish Trophy, second team All-ACC (2021,) and a George Halas Trophy winner (2024.) In 2021 — Metchie suffered a torn ACL in the SEC Championship Game. He was drafted in round two of the NFL Draft three years ago.
After being drafted — Metchie announced that he would be sidelined during his rookie season while undergoing treatment for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. His addition may not only be yet another target for Jalen Hurts but may also send a message to the other receivers trying to make the roster.
Not only has he been good, but he has also added a new dynamic to the offense.
Barkley Is as Good as Advertised
So far, Barkley has lived up to the hype and more. Looking at basic metrics, he averages 0.7 more yards per carry (5.3 versus 4.6) than D’Andre Swift was as the king of the running back position last season. Despite having an offensive line without Jason Kelce on it—this isn’t even Barkley’s full form.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
The appeal here is both Barkley’s efficiency and explosiveness. First, we’ll start with the former. For the third season in a row, he is top 10 in rushing yards over expected (RYOE) with 133 in the early stages. The investment here has been well worth it, as he has gained yardage at a much higher rate (1.52 yards per attempt) than he theoretically should.
That total is being inflated because of a few plays in particular, though. Barkley has always been an explosive football player, but 11 explosive carries (rushes with at least 10 yards) in 91 attempts certainly adds something to an offense. That’s nearly three more explosive carries per 100 attempts than Swift last season, which is well worth the increased cost of a big-name running back.
When the Eagles’ offense was stalling against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, he took matters into his own hands and rushed for a game-changing 65-yard touchdown. Down 3-0 in the fourth quarter, Barkley’s contributions made a loss become a win. He did this in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, too, but it was a bit too little, too late for the Birds. Still, a player who can flip the field is invaluable.
Should Barkley See More Usage?
Barkley is averaging 21 touches per game this season. Is that enough?
There are a lot of mouths to feed on a fully healthy Eagles offense, but Barkley might just be the most important. While there hasn’t been a game this season where he’s had a ridiculous workload, his two highest-usage games were the ones where the Eagles scored the most and second-most points in a game this season.
Barkley wasn’t signed to be the face of the Eagles’ offense. Jalen Hurts has a responsibility to keep defenses honest with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but he might be relying on his arm a bit too much. Though it’s probably not in his future, could a 30-carry game be beneficial to the offense?
This is a fair question to ask, seeing as the 2024 campaign hasn’t been Hurts’ brightest. He has been far from poor, but it’s plausible that Barkley can be the piece to elevate the unit.
The Eagles hit a grand slam with Barkley’s signing.
He has added a new dynamic to the offense and emerged as a player Hurts can depend on if he needs a safety blanket.
Overall, the Philadelphia Eagles have had an underwhelming start to their season. In their previous two campaigns combined, they had a 14-1 record entering their bye week. Entering their 2024 bye, they had a middling 2-2 record with a minus-10 point differential. Suffice to say, things have changed.
However, not everything has to be doom and gloom. Yes, the Eagles have played poorly. Blame it on injuries all you’d like, the team has been playing down to their competition for a long time now. That said, there’s time to turn it around in Week 6 against the 1-4 Cleveland Browns.
Eagles Have No Excuse to Lose
Simply put, the Browns have struggled to show anything resembling a competent offense. Ranked 25th in rushing expected points average per play (EPA/play) and 31st in drop-back EPA/play, there’s nothing redeeming here. Nearly six percentage points below the next-worst team (32.3 percent versus the Miami Dolphins’ 38.2 percent) in success rate on downs one through three, there couldn’t be a better unit for the Birds to face.
You’d probably think the Browns have a top-end defense, but they don’t based on the numbers. It feasted against three underwhelming offenses (Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders) and gave up 33 and 34 points against the legitimately good ones (Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders). Now, it’s the Eagles’ turn.
In terms of EPA/play, the Browns only have the 14th-best defense in the NFL. It’s a solid unit, but not one that the Birds shouldn’t be able to take advantage of when Sunday comes. If the Cowboys and Commanders could beat this team by a combined 37 points, the Eagles should be able to just win the football game. With A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson healthy, there is absolutely zero excuse not to.
This Is the Eagles’ Chance at Domination
We’ll know a lot about the Eagles after Sunday. They haven’t won a game by more than one score in nearly an entire calendar year (Oct. 22, 2023, versus Miami), perfectly exemplifying Philadelphia’s tendency to play down to teams they are clearly superior to. If they’re in a tight defensive matchup like the Jaguars, Giants, and Raiders, those teams are who the Eagles are.
If they can barely sneak out a win or lose entirely, the Eagles are a Jacksonville, New York, or Las Vegas type of team—not good. Especially since they’re at home, their patented “ugly win” is not going to cut it this time. If you plan to be competitive with the Cowboys and Commanders for NFC East supremacy, win, and win big.
It might seem a little harsh to write off a team because they won a football game but “not by enough points”, but this has been the story for an entire year now. It’s now or never; break the curse.
What a Big Win Could Do for the Eagles
Aside from being 3-2, in the race for a division title, and still possibly in the conversation for the top seed in the NFC (the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings are bound to lose at some point, right?), a big win would give the Eagles their swagger back. They haven’t had any of that since, well, they went to the Super Bowl.
The Eagles won 10 of their first 11 games last season, but they didn’t do so convincingly. In 2022, they were convincingly dominant—anyone predicting a collapse was doing so out of spite because the team plays in Philadelphia. In 2023, people predicting a collapse were watching the games. This team hasn’t had the feeling of a stress-free win in so long, and it’s time to end that.
Perhaps, a big win can bring a return to the 2022 days of this team. Maybe that’s a little too premature, but it’s worth establishing just how important a clean win would be. Most good teams do this all the time, but it’s been a struggle for Philadelphia
With all due respect, the Browns do not touch the Eagles in the talent department. Now with a healthy roster, it’s time to start having fun again. Win by a lot, and people will start to forget about your Week 2 and Week 4 collapses.
When the Philadelphia Eagles were down A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson in their Week 4 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, some were expecting a loss (atypical for a team as good as the Birds). Not only did the Eagles lose, but they did so pretty emphatically—the game was never close.
Philadelphia, looking like they were playing a completely different sport than Tampa Bay, had their biggest weakness exposed to the world. That weakness is the fact that they are utterly clueless without a drastic talent advantage over their opponent.
Eagles Crumble When There Isn’t a Talent Gap
Ordinarily, losing three top-tier players in a road matchup against a team that won a playoff game is a death sentence. But talent-wise, the Eagles were still objective neck-and-neck with Tampa Bay, if not better. People had every reason to think they’d win.
With almost even defenses in terms of expected points average per play (EPA/play), the better offensive line still objectively belonging to Philadelphia, and the top two playmakers in the game being members of the Eagles (Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts), it’s almost like those three studs weren’t needed.
But in practice, they were, because the Eagles are dependent on their talent to win football games. When two sides are more or less even, they get crushed. Last week was not the first time this happened.
Counting Theme from the 2023 Season
The best roster Philadelphia faced last season was the San Francisco 49ers, and the result was a 42-19 whooping. Without Brown in the playoffs against the Buccaneers, it was a 32-9 whooping. If an enormous talent advantage isn’t present, the Birds play like they did in Week 4 way too often.
It has been a theme both last season and this one that the Eagles get outplayed by basically everyone. Vastly superior talent has been hiding the team’s struggles for a long time now—it is finally starting to show record-wise (2-2 isn’t bad by any means, but it’s certainly a disappointment).
Now, every team needs a good core of players to win football games. It’s just not feasible to win on a week-to-week basis with zero talent. However, teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and Pittsburgh Steelers are managing just fine. Even the Green Bay Packers won two games with Malik Willis as their quarterback instead of the previously highest-paid player in NFL history, Jordan Love.
The Eagles weren’t always the way they are now, though. Between play-calling and consistently losing the turnover battle, they have severely fallen from their glory days in 2022. The good news is that all of this is fixable, at least in theory—much of the same faces are present.
But until smarter football is played, expect the same result. Confidence should be fading.
The Eagles still have the potential to be one of the best teams in the NFL. Home-field advantage in the postseason is very much in play, and a first-round bye week is also in the cards. But something has to click for this team.
The way that Philadelphia is operating now will make them lucky to see the playoffs. And that’s assuming the key players stay healthy. This team is way too good to be playing like they are—something has to change. Head coach Nick Sirianni’s seat isn’t just hot, it has gone up in flames.
After another pitiful performance in Tampa Bay, the Eagles sit tied for 2nd in the NFC East.
Hopefully the Eagles can avoid meeting the Buccaneers in the Wildcard round, again.
Moving on to the early bye week at 2-2 isn’t the end for the Eagles, but it isn’t instilling much hope.
Offensive Woes
Sure the Eagles have been without A.J. Brown for multiple weeks and spent a game and a half without Lane Johnson & DeVonta Smith. But they only average 21.5 points per game in 4 games this season, which drops to 17.3 not including the packers game.
This is also a team that has 8 turnovers on offense and 8(!) 3&Outs. What gives?
Where’s The Motion?
Last season, the Eagles ranked dead last in motion(10.9%) While the Chargers(25.9%) were ranked 8th(Kellen Moore’s last team) while having Easton Stick start multiple games at QB.
With the hire of Moore in the offseason, everyone was expecting a more competent offense. Now loaded with even more talent in the backfield and along the offensive line.
But through 4 weeks…
Motion report through 4 weeks!
First number is motion at the snap, second number is all motion.
The Eagles are in the middle of the pack. Which becomes concerning when you see NextGenStats posting the Eagles used 65.8% in their season debut.
Makes you question why there’s been such a decline in only a matter of weeks.
Why are the Eagles afraid of short yardage plays down 3 of their best players?
Down 2 of your Weapons. Why does Saquon only see the ball 10 times? No wonder the offense stalls.
After admitting to being the one to call a USELESS fake QB sneak in New Orleans. How much of the Offense does Nick Sirianni have control of?
And most importantly.
Why does this team feel so similar to last years?
The Missing Piece
Normally, when a team cleans house, they clean house. It was already questioned last year what Nick Sirianni did as Eagles head coach following last years disastrous end. Somehow, he was able to keep his job.
Brian Johnson was let go as the scape goat to the collapse of the offense compared to their Super Bowl season. But now in Washington, Jayden Daniels is thriving as the Commanders hold 1st place in the NFC East.
Dennard Wilson is now the Defensive Coordinator in Tennessee, and finding some success with a team that isn’t having a great season. After spending last season with the Ravens as a Defensive Backs Coach & Passing Game Coordinator, the same position he held in Philadelphia the 2 years prior.
There’s multiple coaches who have left the Eagles who are finding success. And yet the Eagles seem to be stagnant now 2 years after their Super Bowl appearance. Even after bringing in highly valued coordinators on both sides of the ball.
With many inconsistencies and similarities causing concern just 4 weeks into the season. A 2-2 record might not look bad, but how many head coaches can survive a 3-8 run to end and begin seasons with high expectations?
With the weakest strength of schedule in the league and 13 games still left to play. There aren’t many excuses for this Eagles team to not still be competitive and push for a top seed in the playoffs. But with the way they’ve been playing, there better be some good performances following the bye week. Otherwise the playoffs could soon be out of reach.
And just like that, there’s an eerie feeling about this 2024 Eagles team.
We’re only 2 weeks into the season, so there’s no reason to give up all hope and abandon ship just yet. But with a catastrophic 4th quarter loss to the Falcons. There’s some glimpses of last years Eagles still prevalent today.
Red Zone Inconsistencies
There’s a few things the Eagles struggle with inside the red zone on offense.
Not only did Saquon Barkley not see the ball inside the red zone until the 5:53 mark in the 3rd quarter.
While the Eagles scored 3 touchdowns from Barkley in the red zone. 3rd & shorts became unmanageable without him. including what would have been the game-ending reception, dropped from Barkley’s fingertips.
But that was the least of their concern.
4th Down Aggressiveness
We’re coming up to 3 years of the Tush Push being an unstoppable play for only one team in the league.
But there’s plenty of opportunities wasted where the Eagles could play for a 4th and 1 situation.
Not only are they able to play for these short situations, but the inconsistency of when it’s time to take points, or shoot for the endzone continues to be mind boggling.
Below are the following situations, and how the Eagles approached them.
Drive #2 (1st Q, 0-0)
The Eagles had gone for 49 yards before this drive ended. 39 of those, had gone to Saquon Barkley. Afterwards, the drive stalled, and an attempt on 4th down had the Eagles score 0 points after matching down the field.
Drive #4 (2nd Q, 3-0 ATL)
This is one of those drives where the $255M Hurts contract looks like a value deal.
The decision to run the ball on 4th & 3 paid off, and led to the Eagles scoring 7 to take the lead before halftime.
Drive #5 (3rd Q, 9-7 ATL)
Once again the Eagles found themselves in the redzone, and chose not to give the ball back to Saquon Barkley in short yardage situations.
Devonta Smith got them down the field, but this was the 3rd drive to feature a designed play for Britain Covey, that was lucky to go for the positive yards that they had.
The loss of AJ Brown for what could be several weeks is an issue, but there’s plenty of players who barely saw targets, including recently acquired Jahan Dotson, who went 1/1 for 6 yards.
Now when you get to the fact the Eagles were scared of a 4th & short situation. Electing to kick a Field Goal to go up 10-9. They had already left 3 points off the board, why not try it again? You could always hope for a stop or a turnover from your defense, right? Right?
Drive #7 (4th Q 15-10 ATL)
The Eagles first use of the Tush Push during the home opener came during a 17 play, 70 yard drive that took up 9:34 of the clock. If they had saved some more time, perhaps none of the final drives of the game would have been as chaotic as they were.
Drive #8 (4th Q, 18-15 PHI)
Once again, the Eagles were afraid of a 4th and short situation that could have not only ended the game, but they had played coy to kill the clock instead of going up 2 scores, something they’ve had no problem doing in previous games.
The Eagles have a refusal to close out games on offense the easy way. opting for big plays, like in Seattle last year. Or both matchups against Washington.
There’s plenty of blame to go around for the Eagles first loss. But the team has made Roster and Staff changes to prevent what happened last year from happening again.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
