RECAP – Week 2: Eagles Collapse to Atlanta Falcons, 22-21; Red Zone Inefficiencies & Inconsistencies Apparent
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 are some glimpses of last year’s Eagles that are still prevalent today.
Red Zone Inconsistencies
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
There are 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 three touchdowns from Barkley in the red zone, 3rd and 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 approaching three years of the Tush Push being an unstoppable play for only one team in the league.
But there are plenty of opportunities wasted where the Eagles could play for a 4th and 1 situation.
Not only can they play in 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)
PHOTO: ESPN
Before this drive ended, the Eagles had gone for 49 yards, 39 of which went to Saquon Barkley. Afterward, the drive stalled, and an attempt on fourth down had the Eagles score 0 points after matching down the field.
Drive #4 (2nd Q, 3-0 ATL)
PHOTO: ESPN
This is one of those drives where the $255M Hurts contract looks like a value deal.
The decision to run the ball on 4th and 3 paid off, and the Eagles scored 7 to take the lead before halftime.
Drive #5 (3rd Q, 9-7 ATL)
PHOTO: ESPN
Once again, the Eagles found themselves in the red zone 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, who 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 are 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 that the Eagles were scared of a fourth-and-short situation, they elected to kick a Field Goal to go up 10-9. They had already left 3 points off the board, so why not try it again? You could always hope for a stop or a turnover from your defense, right?
Drive #7 (4th Q 15-10 ATL)
PHOTO: ESPN
The Eagles’ first use of the Tush Push during the home opener was 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.
Drive #8 (4th Q, 18-15 PHI)
PHOTO: ESPN
Once again, the Eagles were afraid of a fourth-and-short situation that could have ended the game, but they had played coy to kill the clock instead of going up two scores, something they’ve had no problem doing in previous games.
The Eagles refused 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 for the Eagles’ first loss.
However, the team has made roster and staff changes to prevent what happened last year from happening again.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
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