The Philadelphia Eagles have an identity problem. Are they a team that beats bad teams and struggles versus good ones? No. They have played in single-score wins or losses since last October until being blown out in Tampa.
Do they rely on a strong offense or a stout defense? So far this season, they have not found either.
Are they a team with strong leadership from their Head Coach? Nick Sirianni doesn’t call the offensive plays, doesn’t pick his coordinators, and has made questionable decisions on 4th downs. And if you do not blame the Head Coach, who else do you blame?
Do the Quarterback and Head Coach have a harmonious relationship?
When Jalen Hurts was asked about the team finding an identity and if he and Nick Sirianni talk about what the message should be to the team following a devastating loss, he replied:
“We have our moments”
Was Jalen being Jalen and making a cryptic response to allude to answering the question?
Nobody knows.
So, who are the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles?
The Quarterback:
Jalen Hurts has taken on more responsibility, including the protection calls with the retirement of Jason Kelce. He has been sacked 13 times in 4 games, which is the highest percentage of his career (8.97%) but this seems more to playing without starting RT Lane Johnson (the Eagles are 14–24 in games Lane has missed since he was drafted in 2013) and another game without starting guard Mekhi Becton than it does Jalen having problems reading the defense.
His completion percentage is higher in 2024 at 68.2%, his previous high was in 2022 when it was 66.5%. He has managed this despite being without his number one receiver, AJ Brown, in 3 of the 4 weeks and without DeVonta Smith in week 4.
Jalen also has seven turnovers over the first four games to open the 2024 season and the team has gone 2–2. He had another 4 game period with the same amount of turnovers last year between Week 5 and Week 8. The team went 3–1.
One aspect of the offense that Sirianni has expressed a desire to expand is explosive plays, yet the Eagles are middle of the pack with 9.3% of their plays being a 10-yard run or a 20-yard pass play.
So are the Eagles a team that can score with a quick strike or one that needs long, methodical drives that eat up the clock?
The Running Game:
The Eagles have built one of the best O-lines in football and this off-season they signed a high-profile extraordinary running back in Saquon Barkley, yet he has gone entire quarters without any carries.
Teams have come early in games stacking the box versus the Eagles, anticipating a heavy dose of Saquon. The Eagles have countered by throwing early and trying to get Jalen Hurts into a rhythm. Unfortunately, this has caused many threes and outs by attempting to play tempo. They need to find creative ways to get Barkley the ball and not allow opposing defenses to dictate their game plan.
Despite heading into Tampa with the most rushing yards in the NFL, Saquon Barkley was given 10 carries. The team was playing from behind all day, but only having 10 carries in the game is offensive coaching malpractice. Saquon has been the best offensive player on the field, for either team, all four weeks.
The Defense:
The defense has struggled the last two seasons, and many, including the Eagles, have blamed it on having Fangio disciples as opposed to the real thing, well, now they have Vic Fangio himself, and through four weeks, they have many of the same results.
They have struggled to get turnovers, do not put pressure on opposing QBs, and allow too many yards and points. They are also one of the worst teams in the league in missed tackles.
They have set the tone in a game this season only once, versus New Orleans. Even in that game, the Eagles allowed the first points and had to play from behind. The team has played from behind in all 4 contests.
The Eagles should consider taking the ball first when they win the coin toss opposed to deferring. They would have a chance to take the lead and play with confidence.
So will the defense be aggressive, or are they a bend-and-not-break style?
Through the first four weeks, they have lined up off the line of scrimmage, not pressing opposing receivers, 88% of the time. They have aligned in cover three 30% of the time, which is vulnerable to quick short passes. As we all saw in the Tampa game.
Many have blamed the scheme for the defensive failure, but no scheme in the NFL works when you miss tackles like the Eagles did against Tampa and allow an additional 105 yards.
Howie Roseman and the Eagles have constructed a defense built around three first-round picks on the defensive line, another 1st round pick at CB paired with a 6x pro bowler. If the talent is not there, the front office needs to be held accountable along with the coaching.
There is room for optimism, as Fangio has a track record of righting the ship, unlike his predecessors in Philadelphia.
Last year, the Dolphin’s defense, led by Vic, struggled mightily over their first four games. They allowed almost 30 points a game and gave up 382.5 yards per contest. From week five on, his defense allowed only 20.9 points per game and reduced the yards by over 80 a game.
The Eagles would love similar results.
What does the future hold for the Eagles:
Whatever the case, the team having to travel 14,000 miles for three games on the road, miscommunication between Center & Quarterback on snap counts, Kellen Moore adjusting the offense to compensate for the loss of injured players, starting all their games from behind, the Eagles need to improve and find an identity.
Philadelphia has the easiest schedule left according to the strength of the schedule. They will get their starting right guard back and their dynamic receiving duo. They will have no excuses left to use for their shortcomings.
The offense needs to be a team that is consistent in play-calling and play on the field. Remember back in 2022 when they jumped on opponents early and led the league in 2nd quarter scoring? They had an identity, this offense needs to figure out who they are.
The defense led the NFL in sacks in 2022 and had one of the best pass defenses in the league. They struck fear into offenses. Now, they are reacting and playing on their heels. It is time for a change.
The Eagles have most of the season remaining and the opportunity to create an identity for 2024.
Can they be a team that scores early and grounds and pounds late, a defense that doesn’t blitz but creates pressures and 3rd and longs with sure tackling and tight coverages?
Until they develop an offensive and defensive identity, the team will stay in their current state of crisis.
As always, Thank you for reading!
Follow me on X @PHLEagleNews
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
