The Philadelphia Eagles faced significant post-season concerns this week following their unexpected loss to the Washington Commanders. Originally seen as one of the strongest defenses in the league, they struggled mightily last Sunday as they allowed 36 points, including 20 points scored by the Commanders in the fourth quarter. This surprising setback puts their playoff aspirations at risk and raises eyebrows about whether they can regain their form before the approaching post-season.
After the game, Vic Fangio, the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, admitted to errors, stating, "No. 1, my calls could have beenbetter. I think if my calls werebetter, we would have had abetter result. But give themcredit. They executed and theyplayed well." His assessment underscored the urgent need for improvement as the Eagles prepare for their next challenge.
The loss also drew attention to the special teams' performance, which, according to special teams coach Michael Clay, was underwhelming. He highlighted how their poor kickoff coverage directly contributed to the team's struggles, stating, "We didn't play well enough, special-teams wise, especially in the coverage phase, primarily on kickoff coverage. We put our defense in terrible situations." Clay's comments reflect a strong recognition of the basic failures, particularly after the game began with significant penalties and returns, leading to nearly all of Washington's drives starting from advantageous field positions.
One of the bright spots for the Eagles—if it can be called one—was their ability to force five turnovers. Despite these turnovers, the defense faltered noticeably down the stretch, unable to capitalize on those opportunities. Clay’s frustration was evident as he noted, "Kudos to Vic and the defense for getting some turnovers right after those bad spots. But we've got to bebetter, especiallyas we'reending this regular season and gettinginto playoff football-time mode... Not up to our standards when we played against Washington."
The special teams’ woes may soon prompt changes, with discussions about who will handle kickoffs moving forward. Braden Mann, the Eagles punter, acknowledged the team's struggles, saying, "With any returner that's going to be athreat likethat, definitely got to be goodwith the placement." The Eagles need to tighten their operations as they prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys for their penultimate game of the regular season, aiming for redemption against divisional opponents.
With the playoffs on the horizon, this week’s practice might take on heightened importance. The upcoming showdown with the Cowboys not only presents the Eagles with another opportunity to clinch the NFC East title but also serves as a final test to gauge their readiness for the playoffs. Fangio's and Clay's frank admissions indicate they are fully aware of the drastic changes needed. The Eagles must return to their previous excellence if they hope to navigate the high-stakes games coming up.
Looking back at the Commanders game, one might wonder how such lapses occurred. Poor execution on special teams has long been overlooked, but this game revealed just how detrimental it can be to overall performance. Mann underscored this after the game, stating, "Yeah, just trying to either keep it out of his hands or throw him off rhythmhowever we can. The guys have been covering well so far this year. Last game, I think it starts with me.”
Clearly, the pressure is mounting, and dissecting their performance against the Commanders provides necessary insight. Avoiding similar pitfalls against the Cowboys requires collective responsibility and improved execution across all units. The Eagles enter this looming matchup with resilience—a theme reiterated by Fangio: "After winning so manyin a row, you'vegot to be ableto bounceback. I believe our group will." Only time will tell if this resilient spirit translates to effective gameplay on the field.
With playoff berths at stake and the season winding down, all eyes will be on how the Eagles respond to this latest setback. They must adapt quickly if they are to make the most of their remaining chances not just to win the NFC East but to set the tone heading deep through the playoffs.
