The Philadelphia Eagles won eight straight games.
The Eagles lost 32-21 to the NFC East-rival Washington Commanders on Monday, with many uncharacteristic mistakes. As the 1972 Dolphins popped champagne bottles, Nick Sirianni and his Eagles held themselves accountable.
“When you perform like we did tonight — offence, defence, special teams, coaching — it seems like everything’s going against you,” Sirianni said. “We played like trash.”
The Eagles’ 8-1 loss wasn’t without controversy.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert fumbled despite video revealing he was victim of a face mask. Taylor Heinicke was struck by Brandon Graham on the Commanders’ final offensive drive, drawing a disputed unnecessary roughness charge and giving Washington additional time to kill.
Sirianni said the defeat was on him and his squad, not the calls.
“The [four] turnovers lost us the game, as did time of possession. We lost it together — offence, defence, special teams, coaching,” he added.
The Eagles’ first loss included other firsts. Second-half deficit. First-time turnover loss. They lost a rare possession struggle.
Jalen Hurts scored on a running touchdown and a jump throw on Philly’s first two possessions. Then everything unravelled.
Philadelphia had only three turnovers before Monday’s game.
After a Hurts interception gave the Commanders a 17-14 second-quarter lead, the Eagles faced their first second-half deficit, exposing a long-running problem. NFL Research ranks the Eagles’ 7.9 points per game in the second half seventh-worst and their 142.8 yards per game third-worst. Philadelphia’s lack of second-half offence hampered a comeback. Despite cutting it to 23-21 in the fourth quarter, the Eagles’ difficulties remained.
Washington had the ball for 40 minutes and 24 seconds, more than twice Philadelphia’s 19:36. The Eagles ran 47 plays to Washington’s 81.
Two early scores for Philadelphia were no indication, as their next 10 offensive plays ended in an interception and two three-and-outs. Philadelphia’s defence grew fatigued as Washington marched and ran out the clock.
Every accolade for Washington’s efforts came with the proviso that it was an Eagles’ loss, not a Commanders’ win.
Hurts: “We’re responsible.” “Great football squad. Well-trained I blame our atypical blunders. Our successful football recipe hasn’t changed much this year. When you do it, bad things happen. Teamwork must improve.”
First time all season, the Eagles lost. Sirianni, no longer unbeaten, emphasised teamwork.
We started 8-0 together, he added, and we’ll become better from this.
More in Sports: https://buzzing.today/sports/
Photo credits: https://www.wikipedia.org/