Analyzing the Philadelphia Eagles’ Struggles
The Philadelphia Eagles’ recent loss to the Rams in Week 4 might not seem too concerning at first glance. It was a close match against a strong team, and the defense held up well. But, when you take a closer look, it becomes clear that Philadelphia isn’t living up to its potential. When that happens, the responsibility falls squarely on head coach Nick Sirianni.
Sirianni has had a long period of goodwill, largely due to the Super Bowl win. I’ve seen a lot of fans push back against my critiques of him since that victory. Some believe that the success was more about the coordinators than Sirianni’s genius, raising the question of whether he truly is the innovative coach he’s often portrayed to be.
The offense is a significant issue for the Eagles, and it’s been a problem not just this season but for the last 21 games. The offense performed poorly throughout last season, and it hasn’t improved so far this year. After the departure of Steichen in 2022, the team ranked 3rd in both yards and points. Then in the following year, they dropped to 7th and 8th, respectively. Last season saw a steep decline to 19th and 24th, and currently, they’re at 25th in yards and 24th in scoring. Sirianni seems to be making changes, yet the outcome remains unchanged.
This past Sunday, the Eagles went 0-for-12 on third downs and managed only 1-for-4 on fourth downs. These numbers indicate a significant coaching failure. When the starting quarterback completes just 12 passes for 93 yards against a team missing key defensive players, that’s a serious problem.
There are multiple issues plaguing the Eagles’ offense right now. Jalen Hurts seems hesitant to utilize his legs for yardage, which might suggest internal issues or perhaps coaching methods that discourage him from doing so. Hurts built his career on the versatility of his plays, combining his arm and legs to be effective. Without that dynamic aspect of his game, he risks appearing mediocre.
This situation is further complicated by Saquon Barkley’s injury. We don’t yet know how serious it is, but a few missed games could be catastrophic, especially with formidable opponents like the Jaguars, Panthers, and Cowboys ahead. These are matchups the Eagles should be able to win, but they’ve found it challenging even against teams like the Titans and Commanders recently.
The question about Sirianni’s job security is becoming increasingly valid. The team has cycled through offensive coordinators since the Super Bowl win, often placing the blame for failures on them. At some point, the responsibility must circle back to Sirianni, and it raises doubts about his control over the offense. One of the Eagles’ strongest qualities during their peak was their understanding of their identity and strengths, which now seems lost. Instead, they appear to be trying to fit into a mold rather than playing to their current capabilities.
It’s an odd scenario, really. Sirianni has a lot going for him. He’s a fantastic motivator and has fostered a strong locker room culture. However, he seems to need help with the strategic side of the game. It’s not a matter of his ability but rather that he’s trying to juggle too many responsibilities at once. If he doesn’t figure out how to manage it soon, the entire season might just sink along with him.
Before Sunday Night Football, Bryce Young was the top passer in the league, which felt almost misleading. Under the spotlight, the Panthers’ young quarterback delivered arguably his finest performance, showcasing composure and a skillful dismantling of a struggling Lions defense.
This moment was the result of a long journey. Young faced early challenges with ineffective coaching and a lack of quality receivers during his rookie season, followed by a benching geared toward rebuilding him at the start of his second year. Now, he’s on the rise, emerging as one of the league’s premier deep passers and a remarkable distributor. Remarkably, despite a shaky offensive line and missing key receivers, he managed to rack up 329 yards and 2 touchdowns.
It’s undoubtedly Bryce’s moment right now, and we’re all just witnessing it unfold.
Loser: The Houston Texans
The Texans, sitting at 0-4, resemble something akin to Sunday dinner, getting cooked each week. Their playoff hopes are all but dashed, and the team has transformed into a shadow of its former self from a year ago. Last season, they boasted a strong defense, while now the offensive concerns have faded as the defense has become a complete liability.
In their matchup against the Cowboys, the Texans allowed 399 total yards and failed to contain CeeDee Lamb, who had 17 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown. The team allowed an astounding 28 first downs, resulting in a substantial time of possession advantage for Dallas, leaving the Texans with limited chances to score.
It’s clear that something is fundamentally wrong with this Texans squad. They’ve let slip some games they should have won early in the season and now face a precarious stretch before their bye week. While they should handle the Titans relatively easily, tougher challenges await with the Jaguars and Giants. It’s entirely possible they head into the bye with a 1-6 record, significantly jeopardizing their playoff dreams.
DeMeco Ryans seems at a loss for how to stop the downward trend. The team’s morale appears low, and they seem far behind the Jaguars and Colts in the AFC South.
Meanwhile, the 49ers continue their winning streak despite a high number of injuries. It might be easy to dismiss their victory over the Broncos sans Patrick Surtain Jr., but San Francisco itself was missing critical players who could have impacted the game.
I strongly supported the idea of Shanahan receiving Coach of the Year honors last season for how he navigated his team through injury challenges, and it seems to be happening again. The 49ers show resilience and are assembling something impressive once more. They are proving to be nearly unstoppable, but we’ll see how things evolve in the coming weeks.
Who do you think are the biggest winners and losers of Week 4?
