Loss to Steelers exposes holes on defense
Some good news for Eagles: Sanders, Fulgham continue to emerge for the offense
Coming off a 38-29 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the Eagles (1-3-1) are trying to wrap their heads around having just one win in their first five games as they prepare for the finest opponent on their schedule, the Baltimore Ravens, next weekend.
But they also can take solace in the fact that the team to beat in the NFC East, the Dallas Cowboys (2-3), are just a half game ahead of them in the standings after rallying to defeat the winless New York Giants while losing starting quarterback Dak Prescott for the season.
Nevertheless, they have a laundry list of problems on their plate, and they all presented themselves in the loss on Sunday:
What went right
Wide receiver Travis Fulgham, who was on the practice squad to start the season, had a historically great day, with 10 catches for 152 yards and a TD. The last time an Eagle had at least 10 catches with at least 150 yards was 2014 (Jeremy Maclin).
Miles Sanders broke a 74-yard touchdown run at the end of the first quarter.
Quarterback Carson Wentz led the Eagles on two long touchdown drives after falling behind by 17 points.
Jake Elliott, kicking from his preferred left hashmark, pushed a 57-yard field-goal attempt wide right late in the fourth quarter, preventing the Eagles from taking a lead for the first time. The Steelers took advantage of the ensuing short field with a game-clinching touchdown drive.
Brandon Graham was called for a facemask penalty he claims he didn’t commit to give the Steelers even better field position on the first play of that game-sealing drive.
The defense had no answer for Pittsburgh’s misdirection plays and a bunch formation on the left side that gave the Steelers a touchdown to cap the opening series of the second half.
Lane Johnson once again wasn’t able to play all the snaps at right tackle because of a chronic ankle condition. His departure left center Jason Kelce as the only healthy player on the offensive line whowas being counted on to start on the offensive line heading into this season.
Confusion reigned on the back end of the defense on Pittsburgh’s final TD, a 35-yard pass right down the middle to uncovered receiver Chase Claypool. Safety Rodney McLeod claims they were playing quarters coverage (Cover-4). Coach Doug Pederson indicated in a TV interview with NBC-10 that he thought they were playing Cover-2. But he doesn’t call the defense. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz won’t be made available until Tuesday.
Wide receivers J.J. ArcegaWhiteside and Quez Watkins combined for just 13 offensive snaps and none on special teams.
Tight end Zach Ertz (one catch for 6 yards) once again was a non-factor. Hehas not been made available for comment since saying before the season opener that he wants to finish his career in Philadelphia but doesn’t know for sure the feeling is mutual. His failure to complete the route after getting bumped in the third quarter led to an interception.
Cheers
No quit in this team. Despite playing from behind the whole game and falling behind by 17 points in the third quarter, the Eagles kept playing hard and had a chance to take the lead in the fourth.
Pederson called a great game on offense despite being depleted at wide receiver and offensive line. The Eagles converted 10 of 14 third-down attempts.
Fulgham, who had the game-winning catch the week before, proved himself to be the total package against a formidable defense and likely has earned a spot as at least the No. 2 receiver even after his position group is restored to full health.
Jeers
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had no plan to stop Claypool going in and couldn’t adjust after witnessing the damage he did.
The offensive line was woefully inconsistent, sometimes giving Wentz time to scan the defense but breaking down completely in other instances. Aside from Sanders’ 74-yard touchdown run, the Eagles gained just 20 more yards on 15 attempts. Wentz was sacked five times.
Cornerback Darius Slay committed two pass interference penalties.
What they said
DTFletcher Cox, on the struggles of the defense: “If you give up 38 points and still get a win, I’m OK with that, you know? Then we’re not having this conversation. But at the end of the day, the most important stat is to get the win, and wedidn’t do that today.”
Wentz, on Fulgham: “I think first of all, he’s a beast. Heshowed up today, showed really last week the two big plays he had, they weren’t a fluke. Kid is a baller. Made a lot of big plays and I was really proud of him and pumped for him. As far as chemistry with him versus other guys, I feel great with all these guys. His number got called a lot more today because was in the right position. He made some great plays.”
Pederson, on Pittsburgh’s third-down success (11 for 15): “Well, the one thing that I would say is we can’t make mistakes like jumping offsides. I mean, that I think helped them stay on the field a couple times on third downs. When we had some third-and-longs, gave them third and shorts, third-and-mediums, those types of things really hurt you when we do that and those are mental mistakes we’ve got to clean up. That starts in practice each week focusing on that. But they’re really good at rub routes, pick routes and they got us today on a couple of those.”
What’s next
The Eagles host the Baltimore Ravens (4-1), led by reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, next Sunday. They hope to be healthier at wide receiver by then, with DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery (foot, illness) on the verge of returning to action.