Stalled Offense and Weak O-Line Lead to Eagles’ Demise

A very disappointing Eagles season came to an appropriate ending Sunday evening as the Eagles’ game-winning drive came up short and the 49ers sent them packing.

There is much to be addressed about this loss, especially the elephant in the room, Kevin Patullo, but there is certainly another offensive coach who delivered a sub-par performance this season.

Jeff Stoutland, Dean of Stoutland University, as many have coined his offensive lineman program, has been praised for years for coaching a consistently great offensive line. But if we’re going to celebrate his success, we should also address areas in which he has also come up short. This season, the ground and pound was not nearly as intimidating as it was with Miles “Bounce-to-the-outside” Sanders. Teams adjusted and adapted to Saquon Barkley and the Eagles’ o-line, which directly led to a poor running game, which complemented an arguably worse passing game.

Philadelphia was 17th in rushing yards per game — they were second last season. And yes, Lane Johnson‘s injury certainly played a part in this, but it’s more than just one guy and one injury; it’s the unit as a whole. This season, the unit contributed to an EPA of -11.59 and a negative EPA per rush. Cam Jurgens was often exposed as a weak center and could not contain the A gaps. Jordan Mailata, who was ranked the best offensive lineman in football, used holding as a crutch to get him through the season and was often called for it. Jurgens (65.6), Mailata (79.9), and Landon Dickerson (68.3) did not rank in the top ten in run block grade throughout the league for their position.

If Stoutland can be given credit for their successes, he should also take blame for the unit’s regression. There weren’t many improvements throughout the year, and it showed on Sunday. Barkley had a solid game; the numbers support it, but often an early run led to negative yardage because a defender tackled him in the backfield.

There is plenty of blame to go around, and I’m certainly not calling for Stoutland to be canned, but this season should be reflected upon in order to improve next year.

As for people I am advocating to be canned, Patullo turned in a classic performance that almost certainly will result in his dismissal. As per usual, his first half could reasonably be approved, but his second half play-calling, especially in the momentous moments, was utterly disappointing.

The Eagles’ run game was working with momentum; despite a few tackles for loss, Saquon was able to keep the ball moving, which helped set up second/third-and-short scenarios. However, on four separate occasions during the second half, the run game was called upon in long scenarios. 2nd and 18, 2nd and 12, 2nd and 10, and 3rd and 13 were all plays that Patullo hoped a run would work on. They did not.

Additionally, the Eagles ran stand-still 2×2 verts on three separate plays during the final drive. That is three plays that resulted in the extinction of the Eagles’ season, in which Patullo pressed the “A” button on his controller in Madden and let Jalen Hurts figure the rest out.

All season, we have seen the same playcall and designs from Patullo, but don’t worry, nothing changed for Sunday’s game. At halftime, 84% of Hurts’ passing yards were from hitches and flats. It’s sad to say, but the average Eagles fan with All-22 could have told you this would be the case.

Not only did “KP” play a part in this season’s destruction, but he may have also opened the door for A.J. Brown to leave.

A.J. Brown just went around to a bunch of teammates in the locker room, hugged them, and bounced.

— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) January 12, 2026

Brown’s potential off-season departure has been speculated on all season, and his misuse in the 49ers game could have accelerated these rumors. The former All-Pro receiver caught three passes for 25 yards, but did not have a reception in the second half. He garnered plenty of targets, two of which were deep balls that fell just a few inches from his hands, but he did not contribute much to the Eagles’ offense beyond that.

Yes, other factors led to Brown being neglected, but it ultimately rests in the hands of Patullo to utilize his receiver and get him open.

Patullo will likely take on another role, in another city, but his performance for the Eagles may have pushed Brown out of Philadelphia.

The Eagles’ loss on Sunday is the culmination of many shortcomings, most of which are on the offensive end, but the offseason ahead provides a lot of time to make adjustments and come out stronger in 2026.

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