Did yesterday’s week two loss give you a sense of deja vu? This loss on the road was against a team who surprised many in their season opener. Did falling behind by double digits only to fight back and lose by one score ring a bell? The similarities between last year’s week two loss to the Chiefs and this year’s week two loss to the Bucs are striking. However, the Eagles showed the same fight in coming back that they did all last year. That is something that can’t be lost in defeat, no matter how ugly parts of this game had been.
It didn’t take long to see what kind of game the Eagles were going to find themselves in. I was confident all week that the Eagles would win, but then I woke up yesterday with a funny feeling that they would probably drop this one. When I saw Desean Jackson open the game with a 75-yard touchdown catch, it only confirmed the feelings I woke up with. The Desean touchdown was the beginning of what would be an afternoon filled with poor defensive execution. The Eagles defense, which prides themselves on limiting the big play, gave up two 75-yard touchdowns in the first half. The second of which, came right after the Eagles tied the game at 7-7.
The miscues on defense didn’t end until the last defensive series when Brandon Graham jumped offsides on 2nd down to give the Bucs a 3rd and short and basically ice the game. The Eagles would get the ball back, however the offsides prevented them from getting the ball back with a chance to actually do something meaningful. While the defense did far from a great job, the offense also deserves some of the blame. I get that Jason Peters and Mike Wallace were both lost for the game, but it took well into the third quarter for the Eagles offense to find any kind of a rhythm. The offense (whether it’s Foles or Wentz) need to get off to faster starts. I believe with Wentz at the helm, that will happen. As bad as yesterday was, it is only one game in the beginning of the season. On the bright side, yesterday’s game should be the last time the offense looks that poor.
Adam Schefter reported before the game that Carson Wentz is on track to play Sunday vs the Colts. He may be a little rusty, but his presence alone will give the Eagles offense the stability it needs. Foles can manage the game, but Wentz can break a game open. In addition to Wentz, Alshon Jeffery’s return shouldn’t be long after Wentz’s. At home with Wentz potentially making his return, it will be hard to bet against the Eagles on Sunday.
