Are the Eagles a legitimate threat in the NFC, or have they been feasting on bad opponents all season?
That will be the talk this week after the Eagles were annihilated,
53-20, by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. With the
loss, the Eagles are 1-3 in their four games this season against winning
teams.
There will be plenty to review, but here is what you need to know from the big loss: The Eagles fell behind early, trailing 17-0 at the end of the first quarter, and were never able to recover. One week after the defensive line dominated the
Carolina Panthers, the unit wasn't able to get close to Packers
quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was sacked once for minus-2 yards.
Rodgers was 22-of-36 for 341 yards and three TDs. He did not throw an
interception and had a passer rating of 120.3.
Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez — taking over for
injured starter Nick Foles for his second start — had a terrible game,
despite the numbers. Sanchez was 26-for-44 for 356 yards and two
touchdowns, but he also threw two bad interceptions. He spent most of
the day on his back, thanks to the Packers' defense, which sacked him
three times.
This bad loss will quiet — at least for a week — any talk of Sanchez's NFL rebirth and possible long-term contract with the Eagles. Rodgers picked on cornerback Bradley Fletcher throughout the game, completing several passes in his direction. Eagles running back LeSean McCoy had another subpar day, finishing with 88 mostly meaningless yards.
Sanchez was slow to get up after a big hit in the first quarter, and was briefly looked at by trainers on the sideline. McCoy's frustrations continued to show, as he slammed the ball down after one play he thought he should have made. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who is sidelined with a collarbone injury, was surprisingly active prior to the start of the game.
Losing to the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay is nothing to be ashamed of, but losing the way the Eagles did is concerning. They once again lost the turnover battle, and looked completely outclassed.
What was defensive coordinator Billy Davis thinking? Cornerback Bradley Fletcher was left out on an island throughout the game, and had little help despite clearly struggling to contain wide receiver Jordy Nelson. The game plan from Davis got the Eagles in an early hole they couldn't escape. Tight end Zach Erzt was once again not part of the game plan, a curious decision by head coach Chip Kelly. Ertz seemed primed for a big season, but he looks to have fallen out of favor with the coaches.
This bad loss will quiet — at least for a week — any talk of Sanchez's NFL rebirth and possible long-term contract with the Eagles. Rodgers picked on cornerback Bradley Fletcher throughout the game, completing several passes in his direction. Eagles running back LeSean McCoy had another subpar day, finishing with 88 mostly meaningless yards.
Sanchez was slow to get up after a big hit in the first quarter, and was briefly looked at by trainers on the sideline. McCoy's frustrations continued to show, as he slammed the ball down after one play he thought he should have made. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who is sidelined with a collarbone injury, was surprisingly active prior to the start of the game.
Losing to the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay is nothing to be ashamed of, but losing the way the Eagles did is concerning. They once again lost the turnover battle, and looked completely outclassed.
What was defensive coordinator Billy Davis thinking? Cornerback Bradley Fletcher was left out on an island throughout the game, and had little help despite clearly struggling to contain wide receiver Jordy Nelson. The game plan from Davis got the Eagles in an early hole they couldn't escape. Tight end Zach Erzt was once again not part of the game plan, a curious decision by head coach Chip Kelly. Ertz seemed primed for a big season, but he looks to have fallen out of favor with the coaches.
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