(Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Coming into the season, I heard many people talk about the “Super Bowl hangover.” I refused to buy into the narrative that the Eagles would get off to a slow start due to a hangover from winning the championship. I would have bought into any other reasoning, except for that one. I just can’t accept that a locker room filled with players like Wentz, Cox, Jenkins, and Peters could be susceptible to the Super Bowl hangover. However, at this point in the season, the “hangover theory” might be the only logical explanation I have to explain the Eagles slow start.
What I have watched to start the season has me very confused. It’s not as if the Eagles flipped over the entire roster and its new players. These are mostly the same players that helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl last year. Everyone not named Cox and Jenkins on defense have regressed, or have yet to take the next step up. Although, we have seen a marked improvement out of Derek Barnett who should be active for tonight’s game. On offense, Wentz looks rusty and the running back group is depleted. Ertz hasn’t been making the game-breaking plays he made last year and the offensive line has failed to protect Wentz since he was inserted as the starter.
What makes it very frustrating is you know a lot of these guys can play better. We know these guys have disciplined, effective football inside of them. We just aren’t seeing it on display. At 2-3 with the Giants on the schedule tonight, we have to see them break out of the slump in a big way at MetLife. Honestly, it’s a game in which I don’t see the Eagles winning. Last year, I had a good feel for how each Eagles game would go. So far this year, I haven’t been able to feel this team out yet.
Here is what I know. The Thursday night game is made for the home team. Having to go on the road, and play on a short week is a daunting task. It is a very difficult proposition for the road team. Since it will be raining all day and all night, the weather should lead to a physical, low scoring game. It will come down to which teams running back can make a play. Even though the Giants line isn’t very good, I have seen enough Saquon Barkley over the years to know it only takes one run to change the whole game. If the Eagles can contain Barkley, they will win the game. If not, they will be coming back to Philly 2-4.
