Let’s Not Overreact the Eagles’ Week 5 Loss
Drew Hallowell / Philadelphia Eagles
The typical Philadelphia fan is known for taking every loss like it’s the end of the world, and the Eagles’ loss to Denver this past weekend was no different.
Questions arise about the validity of Philadelphia’s juggernaut status from both the media and fans alike, which is partially warranted due to their late-game collapse.
That being said, the Eagles are still 4-1 and are tied for the best record in the NFL.
In Sunday’s loss, Philadelphia attempted to switch up its scheme as it relied on the passing game. The offense tends to run through Saquon Barkley‘s legs, but new playcaller Kevin Patullo wanted to see something different. Jalen Hurts threw 38 passing attempts, while Saquon only received 6 carries.
We saw some negatives with the pass-heavy offense that Eagles fans are harping on. In the limited attempts that Barkley had on the ground, he displayed efficiency with an average of 5 yards per carry. His 30 rushing yards were highlighted by a 17-yard run, clearly showing he wasn’t missing a beat.
Additionally, unsuccessful drive after unsuccessful drive should lead to some adjustments on the offensive side of the ball, but Patullo continued his pass-driven offense. Four straight punts by the Birds gave the Broncos a clear path back into the game, and they took full advantage in their 18-point 4th quarter.
However, there were some positives we saw with this new scheme. DeVonta Smith had himself a game, with 114 yards in 8 receptions, including a 52-yard bomb. We saw A.J. Brown start to get involved, which we know means a lot for the comments he’s been making about his happiness in Philly. Dallas Goedert found the endzone once again, scoring his 4th touchdown in the past 3 games. Hurts threw for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns, demonstrating that his arm is no joke.
What we’ve learned from Sunday is that the passing game has promise. Smith’s game continues to prove that the Birds don’t need production from Brown to move the ball down the field in the air. But the main thing that we learned is that we need variety in the air and on the ground in order to work our way across the field efficiently. Saquon is too talented to be unused in situations like Sunday. If Patullo can learn how and when to use Saquon’s legs, the passing game will open up. That’s when the Birds can unleash Hurts’s proven arm.
Patullo will have a chance to redeem himself this week against New York on Thursday night. The Giants’ defense is lackluster to say the least, and opportunities will arise on the ground and in the air for the Birds.
This is a great opportunity for Patullo to learn how he wants to run this offense as the season gets more intense.
Evan Hartenstein
Evan has been a member of the Philly Sports Reports team since March 2023. He is covering the 76ers and wants to pursue a long-lasting career in Sports Journalism.
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