How The Eagles Have Fallen From Grace With Their Fans
The Eagles continued their losing ways last Sunday in Cleveland against the Browns, who defeated the lifeless Eagles 22-17 in a sleeper of a game played in the rain. The Eagles on their opening drive marched the ball 71 yards down the field on ten plays comprised of nine rushes and one passing play, consuming 5:54 off the clock only to have Mikes Sanders fumble the ball on the Browns four yard line. It looked like Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson finally got the memo from the fans to run the ball, especially playing in the rain. But after the fumble occurred, the Eagles lost their mojo and after racking up 96 yards on 19 rushing attempts in the first half, they only accumulated 10 yards rushing on six attempts in the entire second half.
I don't get it!! - Only a few short years ago, Doug Pederson was calling all the right plays with his Quarterback and offense firing on all cylinders. Back in 2017 with Doug Pederson as Head Coach and play caller, Philadelphia was third in the NFL in Points Per Game (28.6) and Seventh in Total Yards (5,852); Since winning the Super Bow, the Eagles Offense has not been the same averaging 23 Points Per Game over their last 42 regular season games and ranked no higher than 14th in the NFL in Total Yards. Now at 3-6-1 and no longer in first place in the NFC East, after the Washington Football Team's victory on Thanksgiving against the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles find themselves slipping in the standings and falling from grace with their fans.
This Monday Night, the Eagles will face the 7-3 Seattle Seahawks with Super Bowl winning Quarterback Russell Wilson who is having a fabulous season leading the NFL with 30 Touchdown Passes, 10 interceptions and a Quarterback Rating of 111.5 (Fourth best in the league) along with completing 70% of his passes (Third best in the NFL). The season isn’t getting any easier for the Birds and the fans are starting to question the team's decision to keep Carson Wentz as the starting Quarterback. Right Tackle Lane Johnson and the Eagles just announced his season is over because his ankle has gotten worse. Thanks to the combination of injuries, questionable play calling and a Quarterback that has become a turnover machine, this season hasn't given Eagles fans any warm and fuzzy feeling headed into Monday Night's matchup against the Seahawks who are 6-0 Against The Spread at Lincoln Financial Field and have no lost in Philadelphia since 1989.
Saturday in The Locker Room, Scott McKay and I will talk Eagles football, recap last week's game and look ahead to the upcoming game against the Seahawks. Saturday's guest is former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger. Brian is an analyst for the NFL Network with his famous "Baldy breakdowns" and can be heard on 973 ESPN as a color analyst for select Compass Media NFL Games. Baldy will break down the current state of the Eagles Offense for us on Saturday's show.
On Sunday, we have a great show lined up including our weekly check in with Fox 29 Sports Anchor and 973ESPN.com Eagles Writer Scott Grayson talking the latest Eagles news. This week in our “ Where Are They Now” segment we will hear from former Eagles Defensive Back John Sciarra. John played with the Eagles from 1978-1983 and he is also a member of The College Football Hall of Fame after his great career at UCLA playing for Dick Vermeil. Also, The Fantasy Football Guru Brian Hartley will give his picks for Week 12 in the NFL.
Catch all the action in The Locker Room with Billy Schweim Saturday and Sunday from 10am to Noon on 973 ESPN!