OMG THAT WAS AN AMAZING FINISH TO A CRAZY ASS GAME!!!
I fully expected to be super depressed, thinking the season is over, cause I gave the Eagles zero chance to win this game. And the way they started off, I had zero reasons to believe I was wrong. The offense again was terrible to start and the defense got ripped as the Packers just marched down as they pleased.
Offense:
But then our ST finally made a play when Sanders returned it to midfield, giving the offense a jolt. I can't say enough about how Sanders bounced back. From two fumbles and costing the Eagles the game against Det to his ST play and the carries he got, he was great! Same with Jordan Howard! I know run the ball is old school thinking but last night boy did the Eagles need that. The OLINE opened up huge lanes and I was so worried that Doug and Groh would still revert to just pass pass pass. Thankfully they didn't and they stuck with the run game. It was amazing to watch. And the polar opposite of what the Packers were doing on offense.
In fact, what the Packers did, getting super cute when they got to the goalline (2x) in the 4tth quarter reminded me so much of what Doug usually does. I have to give tons of credit to Doug, for at least this season cause what I see is that when they get that close, they don't try to do something super creative. They have a great OLINE and they give the ball to Howard and let him power it in. This is why he was brought here. And on top of that what I am loving is that when they get to a 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1, they don't play around. They have Wentz, who injury worries aside, is a big dude and they just fall forward each time for a 1st. They are 5 for 5 this season when he keeps it for a QB dive. Almost like the Pats do with Brady. It is efficient. Heck, the Packers win last night if they try the same with Rodgers at the goal line.
From an offensive point of view, I loved our game plan, and the players, for the most part, executed it perfectly. Sanders and Howard were great running the ball. We even got some screen passes sprinkled in. TE Goedert is super underrated as a run blocker and of course, had a few key catches including the TD. Having him back and fully healthy was just as big as Alshon.
About the only complain I still have are the slow starts. The offense is supposed to be the dominant unit of this team. We cant start the games with 0 points and down by two scores each game. It is just not sustainable and puts tons of pressure on everyone but esp the defense. They really need to figure this out cause the Eagles should be scoring in the first quarter when you have your first 15 scripted.
Defense:
They did what they could with what they have. The problem is I think they held up as much as the Packers allowed them to. The Packers had no run game to speak of outside of the rushes by Rodgers. So while the Eagles Run D held up, they constantly looked lost and out of their responsibilities whenever Rodgers took off. They are going to see more and more mobile QBs, esp now with Daniel Jones starting for the Giants, and they just have to be better. This is a focus, attention to detail, and effort issue not talent.
What is a talent issue though is our secondary. I have tried to be patient with these corners. They were all high picks or relatively considered midround steals but for 3 consecutive seasons, they have all either underperformed, gotten hurt, or worse yet both at the same time. Its week 4 and our secondary is already depleted to last year's levels. And Jalen Mills and Blanc were already hurt and not playing.
- Darby - I had high hopes and continued to believe but he is always always always hurt. 3rd consecutive season he is missing significant time. I don't even know how to judge him cause I never know when he is healthy. Either way, he is on a 1 yr contract and I doubt we see him back next year.
- Jones - he was supposed to be an elite prospect who only slid to the Eagles in the 2nd round cause he tore his Achilles during the draft combine. Everyone raved about his instincts and talent and most analysts had him as the top CB in the draft before his injury. He misses all of his rookie season, comes back last year, never really flashed, and then missed the majority of the season nursing an often injured/pulled hamstring. And now again last night, he is getting beat left and right by Davante Adams and then pulls his hamstring. I don't get it. To this point all Jones has proven is that he is consistent at getting hurt. Same as Darby how do we even evaluate him considering we never know when he is a full go? But unlike Darby I don't see the team moving on from him cause he was a high pick, is super young, and for now very cheap to keep. I am rooting for the guy to live up to potential but at this point, it is looking more and more like he is a bust.
- Maddox - at this point he is our best corner but that says more about our CBs than about him. I like him. He seems to have a natural instinct and for a 4th rd pick, he has overperformed. But again the injury bug. Now last night was the helmet hit and I pray he is ok as that was super scary. We need him BAD cause at least he is somewhat reliable. A good 2nd or 3rd CB but shouldn't be your top CB.
- Douglas - Also a mid rd pick and for the most part plays well but he doesn't have any speed and can't cover fast WRs. Wins with technique and is a sure tackler. Agains a good depth rotational CB but can't be your start.
I mention all this to basically come to a conclusion we all came to weeks ago. The Eagles need a major upgrade at CB. I don't know what the plan is but they should have done everything to pick up Minkah Fitzpatrick, instead the Steelers get him.
And now Jalen Ramsey is requesting a trade. Maybe the Jags won't trade him and they are trying to convince him to stay but as of this morning, per Adam Schefter, he still wants out of Jax and it has more to do with his relationship with Coughlin and Marone than it does with $$$. Considering how bad our secondary is and how depleted they are now, they need to make this happen if Jags are going to trade him. I know the price is going to be high but this could be the best CB in the league and exactly what you need. Adams just ate this secondary up. We still have to face Cooper 2x, the Vikes WRs, the Pats, and other good to great WRs all of whom will destroy these corners.
The DLINE is also in a similar boat, underperforming and injured. I am less on them because at least their run D has been dominant, they got pressure on Rodgers (just couldn't contain him), and forced the big turnover. But they can't really get pressure or sacks if the corners are so bad that QBs are getting the ball out before the DLINE has a chance. Again all the more Ramsey is needed.
So while I am pumped they won and how they won, I just don't get what's going with this training staff and the injuries. It also is the same guys with the same injuries over and over. Yes, they are a talented bunch and could easily be undefeated if not for drops, but also can be 1-3 cause the Packers gave this game away at the end last night. Howie and team really need to decide what they think this team is this year, and if they do want to contend, they can't rely on the same guys who haven't lived up to the hype and are also always hurt.
