Eagles future headlines: Time to panic? Is the defense bad?

[time2rock]

Eagles future headlines: Time to panic? Is the defense bad?

Here's what they'll be saying on talk radio tomorrow.

BY EVAN MACY
PhillyVoice Staff

KRIS CRAIG/USA TODAY NETWORK

Patriots QB Mac Jones throws one over the Eagles' defensive line during the second half Sunday in Foxboro.

The Eagles won on Sunday in New England, 25-20, to start the 2023 NFL season, but that's never enough in Philadelphia.

The defense fell completely asleep for an entire quarter, the play-calling was kind of dull and the defense was Jekyll and Hyde. No one will be satisfied when it comes to Monday morning quarterback time. So what will they be complaining about on sports talk radio this (short) week, ahead of their Thursday Night Football date with the Vikings?

Is it time to start worrying?

The opening minutes of the 2023 season were absolutely epic. A pick-six from Darius Slay paired with a forced fumble from Jordan Davis set up a 16-0 lead. But then the Birds went three-and-out five times in a row. The ball hawk defense let Mac Jones move the ball up and down the field seemingly at will. And uninspired play up and down the board made for some extremely boring football.

Philly came out of the locker room a little better in the second half, showing that they have so much talent it's nearly impossible to lose to inferior competition. Some big field goals from Jake Elliott clinched the win, but the stats are kind of lacking.

Stat	Eagles	Patriots
Scrimmage yards	252	382
Passing yards	154	306
Total plays	61	77
First downs	17	24

 

Philly had opportunities to slam the door over and over again and for whatever reason they continued to keep Bill Belichick and the Patriots alive in this frustrating game.

Also — catches by Dallas Goedert, who was open, a lot: 0.

Is it just early and the team is figuring it out? Or is this a sign of shaky days ahead? The phone lines are open.

Is Kenny Gainwell a fantasy football starter?

The Eagles sort of made a statement to those who were watching with fantasy interest Sunday, when Kenny Gainwell not only started at running back, but got touches on the first five plays of the game and six of the first seven.

He was even on the field for third downs and for red zone situations. The numbers weren't overwhelming but the snap counts will tell the tale. Boston Scott and D'Andre Swift were simply role players supporting Gainwell, who had 14 carries for 54 yards and four catches for 20 more. Rashaad Penny didn't even suit up.

Fantasy podcasts will be on this, and the local sports radio could be on it too. The answer honestly won't come for some time, as it's entirely possible that head coach Nick Sirianni saw something in this exact Patriots matchup that made him want to lean Gainwell over his other backs.

A win is a win

It took four field goals and bend-don't-break defense. It lacked Goedert and Swift. The defense produced zero sacks through three quarters (a year after nearly having 70), and saw the offense perform extremely modestly. Jalen Hurts did not look like an MVP candidate and Nick Sirianni didn't look like one of the top young coaches in the sport.

But Fletcher Cox made plays down the stretch, so did A.J. Brown. A monstrously costly late fumble from Jalen Hurts wasn't enough to set the Eagles back to 0-1, and even a failed ballsy fourth down attempt inside two minutes didn't undo the season opener.

It's possible in four days that the Eagles are 2-0 and the talk of the NFC. It just doesn't really feel like it now.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-future-headlines-kenny-gainwell-jalen-hurts-patriots-news-analysis-stats/

[time2rock]

Quote

Boston Scott and D'Andre Swift were simply role players supporting Gainwell, who had 14 carries for 54 yards and four catches for 20 more. Rashaad Penny didn't even suit up.

Crazy game plan.  Playing on the road in crappy weather and having a 16 point lead early and still pass happy (2:1 in favor of pass if you exclude QB runs).  

[pgcd3]

57 minutes ago, time2rock said:

Crazy game plan.  Playing on the road in crappy weather and having a 16 point lead early and still pass happy (2:1 in favor of pass if you exclude QB runs).  

Seemed like they ran a lot when it was 16-0 and the weather was bad.  But that didn't help Hurts who skipped preseason get into rhythm either.  I'll take the win and move on

[UK_EaglesFan89]

I’m not sure I’d say the defense was bad but it definitely needs to get better and I am worried about the LBs and middle of the field. Time after time NE exposed us in the middle of the field and that’s got to be corrected.

[birdman#12]

Brian Johnson gets a D- for his first performance.  The playcalling was lousy.....the execution was lousy.....no motion, no misdirection, no creativity.

The eagles have too many weapons to not have a coordinator who can utilize them all.....

First game was a win.....not pretty but a win is all that matters.

 

[birdman#12]

The defense has some weak moments, but the offense was lousy......poor playcalling, poor coaching, poor execution certainly didn't help the defense in field position or TOP.

The eagles tried to give the game away, but the defense came up when they needed to.