Two months ago, numerous NFL analysts were confident that the Philadelphia Eagles were the top team in the league. Despite making it to the playoffs, their performance has since deteriorated significantly.
Traditionally, the role of a team in disarray in the NFC East belongs to the Dallas Cowboys. However, after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas rebounded with a winning streak, including a victory over the Eagles, securing a division crown and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Conversely, following the Eagles’ defeat by the 49ers, their season took a nosedive, with only one win in their last six games, and they entered the playoffs as the No. 5 seed.
The primary culprit for their decline is the defense, ranking 31st in Passing Defense and 26th in Total Defense out of 32 teams. While the offense compensated for this early in the season, it couldn’t mitigate the issue for long.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has also been a letdown. Despite throwing for nearly 4,000 yards, his 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions create an ineffective ratio. The playcalling is also a contributing factor.
The once-adored, young head coach Nick Sirianni is now under scrutiny, with some questioning if he’s in over his head. The departure of his assistants from the previous season may have exposed him as an average coach rather than the genius some believed him to be.
This past Sunday, despite having significant stakes in the game, the Eagles demonstrated a clear lack of motivation, succumbing to a defeat against the struggling New York Giants. This team starkly differs from last season’s Super Bowl contender. While the roster remains largely unchanged, there’s a noticeable issue with the team’s mindset or approach that has altered their competitive spirit.
While the Eagles aren’t considered a terrible team, their current state contrasts sharply with the Super Bowl expectations they carried. Heading into the playoffs, they appear to be in a precarious position. Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road, a team they convincingly beat in September, the dynamics have shifted significantly.
If the Eagles lose this crucial game, there’s a possibility that head coach Nick Sirianni may have to take responsibility for the team’s decline. This might be perceived as unfair, especially considering their Super Bowl appearance just one season ago. Nevertheless, the general sentiment among NFL experts is not optimistic about the Eagles’ chances of returning to the Super Bowl next season based on their current performance.
