In a shocking turn of events, the Philadelphia Eagles suffered a devastating 27-10 loss against the New York Giants in Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season. This defeat was a significant setback for the Eagles, who had high hopes for a strong playoff push. So, who is most to blame for this loss? Let's dive into the key players and factors that contributed to this disappointing outcome.
An unexpected result should have been the expected outcome. That is if you saw the Philadelphia Eagles play football over the past six weeks. The Eagles lost five of their last six games after a 10-1 start, becoming the first team to make the playoffs to lose five of their last six since the 1999 Dolphins. That Dolphins team did win a playoff game on the road before losing 62-7 in the divisional round, potentially a sign of how the 2023 Eagles season will end up.
Week 18 Disaster
The Eagles had plenty of injuries in the first half, which led to the decision to pull some of their starters. AJ Brown left the game with a right knee injury and was downgraded to out after halftime. Sydney Brown left in the first quarter with a knee injury and was shortly ruled out, and Jalen Hurts suffered a dislocated right middle finger — but didn't miss a play. Hurts was pulled late in the first half as the Eagles punted on the game trailing by more than three scores.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 8, 2024
Same story hurting this team for the past several weeks. The Eagles can't stop anyone on defense, allowing the Giants to gain 272 yards and get in the red zone five times in the first half. Without Brown for an extended period, the Eagles went 1 of 7 on third down and 7 of 17 throwing the football with two interceptions in that span (one from Jalen Hurts and one from Marcus Mariota).
Here we will look at the Philadelphia Eagles who are most to blame for their Week 18 loss vs. the New York Giants.
Jalen Hurts
The Week 18 clash against the New York Giants proved to be a challenging outing for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. He found himself on the sidelines before the conclusion of the first half. The decision to bench Hurts was prompted by a clear recognition that risking further injury was unwarranted. Hurts sustained a right middle finger injury.
It occurred when he absorbed a hit from a rusher while attempting a fourth-down pass. The offensive unit struggled in his absence. The inadequacies of Nick Sirianni's scheme, coupled with the absence of the team's top two receivers, left Hurts with few answers. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota entered the fray, only to throw an interception on his initial snap. Despite some commendable moments, Mariota's contributions may be overshadowed by the overall disappointment of the game.
Offensive Playmakers
The Eagles faced a challenging scenario on the offensive front, with Kenneth Gainwell stepping up in the absence of the sidelined D'Andre Swift. Gainwell showcased his potential with an impressive early 32-yard run, but the remainder of the game saw limited offensive success. Rashaad Penny made his first carries since Week 9, managing six rushes for just 16 yards. Boston Scott contributed with two carries for a mere 3 yards.
The absence of key players like AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith (ankle) further compounded the offensive struggles. Brown left the game with a knee injury after a crucial red-zone fumble. Julio Jones started in place of the injured Smith but finished with a modest two catches for 13 yards. Quez Watkins, starting in the slot, emerged as a bright spot with eight receptions for 93 yards. Meanwhile, tight end Dallas Goedert had a minimal impact, catching just 1 of 3 targets for 4 yards.
Defensive Challenges
The Eagles' defense faced its own set of challenges. The interior defensive line struggled to contain the Giants' offensive attacks on the edges. Key players like Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Milton Williams, and Moro Ojomo failed to leave a significant imprint.
The starting outside linebackers, Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat, once again failed to record a sack against one of the league's weakest offensive lines. Rookie Nolan Smith faced a setback, being burned by running back Saquon Barkley on a 46-yard wheel route. Linebacker Zach Cunningham's return initially brought physicality to the defense but later contributed to the team's challenges. Defensive back James Bradberry struggled, being too slow for outside receivers and too soft for covering tight ends.
The Eagles' defensive struggles extended to missed tackles, particularly in coverage by Reddick and Smith. The vulnerability in the middle of the field allowed opposing quarterbacks ample opportunities. The overall state of the defense underscores the Eagles' status as a fractured team grappling with unresolved issues.
Coaching
Head coach Nick Sirianni faced scrutiny for the second consecutive week. Despite reaching the playoffs in all three of his seasons and coming close to winning the Super Bowl less than a year ago, the Eagles' recent performance has raised concerns.
Sirianni's failure to have appropriate answers for Hurts against the Giants' blitz-heavy defense amounted to what some have labeled as coaching malpractice. The demotion of defensive coordinator Sean Desai and the subsequent appointment of Matt Patricia did little to remedy the situation. The team just spiraled into a complete disaster.
Offensive coordinator Brian Johnson also faced criticism for the offensive struggles. However, ultimately, Sirianni bears the responsibility as the chief architect of the team's offensive strategy. The coaching staff's collective failure to navigate challenges has left the Eagles in a precarious position as they head into the postseason.
Looking Ahead
In the aftermath of the Philadelphia Eagles' disheartening Week 18 loss, the myriad issues plaguing the team have come into sharp focus. From Jalen Hurts' injury to the challenges faced by the offensive playmakers, the game underscored the team's struggles on both sides of the ball. Defensive lapses, missed tackles, and coaching woes have coalesced to paint a grim picture for the Eagles as they head into the postseason. The once-promising Super Bowl hopes now appear dimmed. We seriously question the team's ability to address and overcome their multifaceted challenges. As the Eagles confront an uncertain playoff journey, the road to redemption seems fraught with obstacles.
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