What Happened to the Philadelphia Eagles?

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2023-24 NFL season with massive expectations. After a heartbreaking three-point loss in Super Bowl LVII, the expectation was that in another year, the team would be back to finish what they started. Eleven weeks into the season, that outcome appeared to be in reach. The Eagles improved to 10-1 in late November after quarterback Jalen Hurts led the Eagles to a thrilling overtime win over the Buffalo Bills coming back from down ten points at halftime. This excitement that was felt from fans after this week would not last. To the disgust of Eagles fans across the world, they fell short. They Not only fell short but had one of the worst mid-season collapses in recent memory. The Eagles lost six of their last seven games to cap off potentially their most highly anticipated season ever. In that dreaded stretch, the Eagles lost games in embarrassing fashion. They were completely outclassed by San Francisco and Dallas in back-to-back weeks, and they followed that up with a fourth quarter collapse against an inferior Seahawks team. The Eagles’ struggles continued in what would be the last win of the season vs New York. Despite the win on paper, this was not a huge step in the right direction. The Eagles led 20-3 entering the second half, but immediately turned the ball over on the kickoff at the start of the third quarter. The kick returner Boston Scott simply ran into teammate Zaccheaus which forced the ball out, leading to a quick New York touchdown. Attempting to respond, Hurts was picked on a play where Eagles’ tight end Goedert slipped leading to a near wide open catch and pick-six. These miscues and simple mistakes riddled the Eagles through the season. The Eagles managed to still pull out a win in this game, but it would be the last of this nightmare of a season. 

In spite of these struggles, the NFC East was still in the Eagles’ control. To win the division giving them an automatic home playoff game, all they needed to do was defeat the 3-12 Cardinals at home and beat the same Giants team. All hopes of winning the division and salvaging the season was squandered after the Eagles got beat at home vs the lowly Cardinals.. Disaster struck, and the Eagles went on to lose the following week in New York. Quarterback Jalen Hurts dislocated his throwing-hand middle finger, and star wide receiver A.J Brown suffered a knee injury which sidelined him for the playoffs. They went on to get demolished in the first round of the playoffs versus a Buccaneers team that they had beaten in week three. The offense was shut-out in the second half, and the defense got picked apart allowing four-hundred twenty-six total yards and three touchdowns. The Eagles simply went out in the saddest way possible.Who’s to blame? With as much talent as the Eagles have, the way this season unfolded is simply unacceptable. The offense, defense, and coaching failed completely on all levels down the stretch of the season. Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai was demoted after the 49ers loss, and the replacement calling the defense, Matt Patricia did not produce better results. On top of that, the offense became completely stagnant and lifeless by the end of the season. There is a large coaching problem that the team has already addressed. They have let go of both the defensive and offensive coordinators. Head coach Nick Sirianni is here to stay for now, but much of the other coaching personnel at the top is already gone. Although poor coaching and play-calling likely played a large role in the downfall of the season, players should not be left off the hook. It is hard to say anyone outside of wide receivers Devonta Smith, A.J Brown, and kicker Jake Elliot had a successful season. Big money players and unproven players did not play good football this season. This was a catastrophic full team collapse that will haunt Eagles fans for years to come.