What is Wrong with the Philadelphia Eagles?
The Philadelphia Eagles came into this season not only with some promising fantasy players but looking like a possible contender. Carson Wentz was one of the top ten favorites for MVP this season, the offense was supposed to have more weapons and the secondary was supposed to be one of the best. However, after a 0-2-1 start without playing a playoff team from last season, things are looking bleak. What is actually wrong with the Eagles?
#1: Offensive Line
The first thing you have to look at is the offensive line when it comes to the Eagles' struggles. The line has looked much worse than expected and it's for one reason; injuries. Andre Dillard, starting Left Tackle, went out for the season during training camp. Starting Right Tackle Lane Johnson missed week one, which allowed the Redskins front 7 to sack Wentz 8 times and pressure him pretty much every play. Starting All-Pro Right Guard Brandon Brooks tore his Achilles in June just working out and is now out for the season. Once he went down, they signed Jason Peters to play guard. However, they had to move him over to Left Tackle again after Dillard got hurt in training camp, and Peters got banged up in week three also. Starting Left Guard, Isaac Seumalo got injured in Week two and is now on IR and expected to miss more than three weeks. The only pieces still actively healthy from their starting offensive line are Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce. They're trying to do it all for this line, but defenses are finding ways through and getting pressure on Wentz, which leads right into the second reason why the Eagles offense is struggling.
#2: Pass Catchers
The injuries continue at this position for the Eagles. Alshon Jeffery started the season on the PUP list and still has yet to suit up. Marquise Goodwin, the speedster the Eagles signed in the offseason opted out for the season due to COVID and will not play this season. First-round rookie Jalen Reagor tore a ligament in his thumb and will be out 6-8 weeks. Dallas Goedert, who looked great through two weeks, left in week three due to an ankle injury and is expected to miss some time. Finally, Desean Jackson, the most veteran receiver on this team, is dealing with hamstring issues, came into the season on a snap count, and left the game in week three. 5 of Wentz's weapons heading into the season are now out, this means the likes of JJ Arcega-Whiteside, John Hightower, Greg Ward, Deontay Burnett, and of course Zach Ertz, make up this team's active receiving core. The struggle for the offense now is that none of these guys can get separation while Ertz is double-teamed. Leading into the final reason the Eagles offense is struggling.
#3: Carson Wentz
All of this is in no way Carson Wentz's fault for the struggles this season, but if you watched the first three games, he can't be left out. He has missed a handful of throws that he would have hit even just last year. He has also missed some receivers that were open and decided to either throw it into a tighter window or not throw it at all. Wentz has always been a QB that holds on to the ball for a long time. He's very good at avoiding sacks and making crazy plays happen using his legs. However, if you combine his tendency to hold on to the ball, with a struggling offensive line, and no healthy wide receivers, it is a recipe for DISASTER. That is what has happened to the Eagles this season thus far. Here is what a typical play may look like: The ball's snapped, Carson Wentz drops back, he's scanning the field, looks to his second option, his third option, his check down... all covered tightly, nowhere to throw. The offensive line does it's best, but the pressure gets to Wentz. He tries to escape and makes it outside of the pocket. The receivers don't work back to him and he's forced to try and run... tripped up for a loss of 1. This is what every play feels like for the Eagles.
#4: Conclusion
Wentz still has the talent it's there in each game this season; we've seen him throw some incredible passes and make some good plays with his legs. He's still got it; it's not gone. It's just the combination of a struggling and injured o-line, no experienced pass-catchers, and Wentz's tendency to hold on to the ball too long. It is making it difficult for the Eagles to succeed. The bright spot of the offense has been Miles Sanders (aside from a fumble in week two) has shined and been a playmaker thus far. It is also not only the offense that has struggled but also the defense. The lack of a linebacking core has let running backs catch passes out of the backfield with ease and get into the second level on runs. Tight ends have played well against them also, mainly Higbee, who had three TDs in week two. The secondary has been better, anchored by Slay, but still has it's fair share of struggles. The defensive line has been a bright spot, that has had a few injuries, but is back to being healthy again at this point and sacked Burrow 8 times on Sunday.
Can the Eagles turn it around? Maybe. Turnovers need to stop if they want a chance. With a -7 turnover differential, that is the worst in the league; NFL teams can't win games if they don't have the ball. They need Alshon to come back and be an anchor on the offense, they need Desean Jackson to stay on the field, they need the o-line to play up to par, and they need Wentz to be on 100%. With the lack of everything around him, they need Wentz not to miss ANY throws if they want a chance to win. He has to be nearly perfect, especially considering the upcoming schedule he can't miss a beat. There's still hope there for the Eagles heading to San Francisco to take on the banged-up 49ers. There is a lot of season left, but things have to take a positive turn and quickly for them to stay a contender this season.
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