The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off the 2025 season with a 24-20 win towards the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, nevertheless it in all probability wasn’t the dominant efficiency the crew’s followers hoped for on championship banner evening at The Linc.
Listed below are the 5 most worrisome indicators for the reigning Tremendous Bowl champs, beginning with that notorious “Oh, spit!” second.
Eagles protection undisciplined
HC Nick Sirianni preaches composure and unselfish play, however DT Jalen Carter threw that out the window when he spat on Dallas QB Dak Prescott and earned an ejection earlier than he performed a snap. It was an embarrassing show of immaturity that might’ve price the Eagles the sport, and Carter is now at risk of getting suspended by the NFL.
Apart from the Carter penalty ejection, Philadelphia was known as for 4 private fouls on protection. (Total, the Eagles dedicated 9 penalties for 110 yards.) The protection survived its undisciplined evening, however this is not the way in which championship groups deal with themselves.
Dallas’ offensive recreation plan was clear from the primary snap: Choose on Jackson till he proves he can cease the Cowboys. Sadly for the Eagles, that second by no means got here.
From blown coverages to missed tackles to move interference penalties, Jackson hit for the ineptitude cycle. Opponents will watch this tape and construct their whole offensive technique round focusing on Jackson whereas avoiding his defensive backfield mates, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. If Kelee Ringo or Jakorian Bennett cannot steal the CB2 spot, the Eagles might must discover one other commerce.
Eagles run blocking worrisome
Philadelphia’s offensive line, which is often a energy, was underwhelming. Saquon Barkley managed 60 dashing yards on 18 carries, and he solely reached that quantity because of some ballerina-esque strikes to keep away from getting tackled behind the road of scrimmage. Dallas’ defensive position received the battle of the trenches far too typically.
To make issues worse, left guard Landon Dickerson left the sport within the second half due to a again damage and did not return. Dickerson additionally underwent knee surgical procedure in August, so it is a troubling begin to his 2025 season.
Passing recreation underneath OC Kevin Patullo
Eagles followers figured it will take a while for Patullo, the first-time offensive coordinator, to discover a groove as a play-caller. They probably did not count on the passing recreation to look so lifeless towards a Micah Parsons-less Cowboys protection.
Hurts completed with solely 152 passing yards, although he was environment friendly with 19 completions on solely 23 makes an attempt. WR A.J. Brown did not get a goal till towards the tip of the fourth quarter, and WR DeVonta Smith had a pedestrian 16 yards on three catches. Patullo should discover a solution to get Brown and Smith extra touches.
Move rush with out Jalen Carter
It is powerful to evaluate Philadelphia’s defensive position contemplating it performed a full recreation with out its finest participant, however there are nonetheless causes to fret about this group. The Eagles did not report a sack, as D-linemen Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt struggled to generate stress on Prescott.
This unit thrives when the defensive position can velocity up the quarterback and the ball-hawking secondary could make aggressive performs on compelled throws. Smith and Hunt should step up with 2024 Eagles defensive linemen Milton Williams (Patriots) and Josh Sweat (Cardinals) now donning completely different uniforms.
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