WeeK 2 Slow Start Faster Ending (Julio hits 20 MPH)

What a punch in the gut this Monday is for Eagles fans! Close Sunday night losses are always tough on Mondays. This one feels little tougher given the injuries, slow start, comeback and ultimately a heartbreak loss in the final minute. It stings but relax its only Week 2.

Injuries
Was this the closet thing to the Body Bag Game? Tim Jernigan (26 snaps), DeSean Jackson (11 Snaps), Alshon Jeffery (6 Snaps), Dallas Goedert (0 Snaps), and Corey Clement (0 snaps but costly fumble on kick return after halftime) all were injured and couldn’t return. Then you have the list who were put into the concussion protocol but came back in the game: Carson Wentz, Nelson Agholor, Sidney Jones, and Jason Kelce (Went to the wrong sideline). This was pretty insane however they still should have won the game.

Slow Start (Again)
Okay what is going on with the slow starts? It is basically expected at this point. Do we need to move away from these scripted plays? I actually kind of understand for this game given the game plan was supposedly heavy with the Double TE and Goedert was out with an injury during warm ups. Doug said they were making adjustments before the game because now the plan they practiced all week is out the window. Then after making all those adjustments your top 2 receivers are out so now you have to adjust again in game live on the fly. These are 3 key players you basically didn’t have so I can give a mulligan and understand it for this game. In the end, I blame Doug for the slow starts and today he actually blamed himself as well.

How did we get down? On defense, Ronald Darby got torched all night and it could have been worse. He was even burnt on his interception because the ball was underthrown. I am ready to move on with Douglas, Jones, and Maddox. Why do receivers always get behind the Safety? No pressure up front either. Moving to the offense, Isaac Seumalo was very bad last night had Carson was running for his life. In turn, Carson put on a cringe worthy 1st half by playing absolutely reckless with 2 interceptions. The throws, footwork and timing with receivers were all totally off (95 Total 1st Half Yards!). The half ends down 10-6 BUT Corey Clement fumbles the opening kickoff. The hole is dug deeper now with a 17-6 score and we all know another Falcon score will probably be game over.

Comeback
It all started with Jim Schwartz FINALLY bringing the Blitz which caused pressure on Matt Ryan. You know the same blitz we are clueless for asking about? Yeah that blitz. This aggressive style defense got the Eagles back in the game with 2 interceptions. Carson Wentz took it from there putting the team on his back with some WOW plays to give the Eagles a 20-17 lead with 3:13 to play. All of us thinking us trash as this game has been “How do we have the lead?”

Heartbreak Ending
You live by the blitz and you the blitz. The Falcons adjusted to Schwartz all out 0 blitz with a wide receiver screen to Julio Jones. Jones kicked in another gear clocking in at 20 MPH as he sprinted 54 yards giving the Falcons the a 24-20 lead with 2:10 left. The Eagles still had a chance to win as Nelson Agholor caught a 43 yard bomb on 4th down after dropping a sure touchdown plays before. On 4th and 8, Ertz an his route short of sticks and the game was over. Heartbreak!

The Eagles should have won but you can’t win them all. Stop the overreaction! 1-1 and on to the Lions.

Fred Hugo or Freddy Burns
Co-Host & Writer for Edge of Philly Sports
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it there each time.