Are The Philadelphia Eagles Crashing Back to Reality?
We’re already near the quarter pole of the NFL season and there have been some surprises (hello, Las Vegas Raiders!) in the early going. On the flip side, there are major disappointments as well (we’re talking about you, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and time is running out to turn the page.
One of the more disappointing squads so far this season has to be from the City of Brotherly Love. The Philadelphia Eagles may be 2-2 but a closer look shows they’re trending in the wrong direction. Let’s take a little closer look at what’s gone wrong for the Eagles. They currently stand at +146 odds to make the playoffs at FanDuel. Meanwhile, their odds to win the Super Bowl dropped to +4000.
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Offensive Line Woes
The Eagles, while they weren’t a bastion of health on the offensive line a season ago, were at least consistent. However, this season, things haven’t gone their way on that front. First, guard Cam Jurgens is in the concussion protocol. Landon Dickerson is on injured reserve with a knee injury that left him, in his own words, a liability, in the opener. Fred Johnson, the backup swing tackle, missed two games already this season.
Meanwhile, the Eagles were hit with a shock this past week. All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson was a surprise inactive Sunday for personal reasons. Then, on Tuesday, Johnson announced his retirement to focus on his mental health. That leaves the Eagles with serious issues on the offensive line. Rookie Markel Bell, who has potential, slides in to replace Johnson. While he has upside, replacing Johnson is no easy feat and could impact the Eagles’ offense.
Running Back Injuries
Philadelphia has one of the best backs in the league in Saquon Barkley but there’s a caveat there. He has to be healthy. The good news for the Eagles is Barkley averages 5.1 yards per carry this season. However, the bad news is that he has just 36 carries in four games. He had just four carries against Tennessee in week 2 with a stinger injury. Then, against the Rams Sunday, he had just two carries before going down with a hamstring injury. It’s unclear what his status is at this point.
Tank Bigsby was the number two back in the system. He didn’t produce a ton, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. In addition, he suffered a core muscle injury that required surgery and is on injured reserve. That leaves Will Shipley, a fourth-round pick in 2024, as the lead back for now. Former Texans running back Dameon Pierce is on the practice squad. Expect him to be elevated as well.
Lack of Receiving Threats
Philadelphia dealt A.J. Brown to the Patriots back in June, ending their tenure with the talented but mercurial receiver. While Brown wouldn’t make an impact right now for the Eagles, as he’s on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, things aren’t rosy on the depth chart.
DeVonta Smith is the #1 receiver. He’s caught 19 balls for 235 yards and a score on the year. On the down side, he missed Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and his status for this week is murky. Dontayvion Wicks (12 catches, 197 yards, TD) and rookie Makai Lemon (10 receptions, 65 yards) are next in line. Hollywood Brown has yet to play this season. When you’re thrusting Darius Cooper (five catches, 59 yards, three TD) into a bigger role, you have problems.
The injuries go beyond the receivers. Dallas Goedert missed the last two games with a MCL sprain. That prompted the Eagles to reunite with 35-year-old Zach Ertz, who has three catches for 22 yards in two games. There simply isn’t enough talent on that side of the ball for a new play caller to work with.
Can They Turn it Around?
If everyone gets healthy, it’s possible. Of course, not having Johnson means that Bell has to be thrown into the fire. Bigsby is out at least a month and we’ll find out more in the next day or two about Barkley’s status. Smith is recovering but he needs help at the receiver spot. Jalen Hurts has to find a way to carry this team in the interim.
The Eagles play Jacksonville in London Sunday, then host Carolina before three straight divisional games. That stretch likely tells the tale for Philadelphia’s season, given that the Cowboys are 2-2 and the Giants are 3-1 at this stage.
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Are The Philadelphia Eagles Crashing Back to Reality?
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