Time for sensitive Birds to silence critics

PHILADELPHIA >> For a bunch of guys who aren’t supposed to pay attention to criticism, the Eagles sure are sensitive.

Whoever is in the ear of the defending Super Bowl champions might want to explain why they’re getting slammed. Guys, you’re 4-5 with a three-game home losing streak. It is what it is.

“I think there’s a lot of negative things being said about us,” tight end Zach Ertz said. “If you had told me at the beginning of the year that we were 4-5, I would have been very disappointed being that. But at the same time, it’s not like the playoffs are out of reach by any means. I think we still have all of our goals in front of us. I think the level of urgency is extremely, extremely high. We need a win, that’s the bottom line. Everything is cured by winning, and that’s what we need to do.”

Ertz is doing his part. He ranks among the league leaders with 75 receptions. But Ertz can do a little more of the dirty work. He wasn’t assertive enough on a thirdand-one block to prevent Josh Adams from getting blown up, stalling a promising drive.

Barring a medical setback, look for the Eagles to activate tight end Richard Rodgers to play Sunday against the Saints. Rodgers (6-4, 257) is a significant upgrade over Ertz and rookie Dallas Goedert in the blocking department. Every first down the Eagles get is one fewer set of downs for Drew Brees and the insanely explosive Saints.

The Saints (8-1) average 36.7 points. The Eagles average 22 points. The Vegas implied score for this game is Saints 33, Eagles 24.5.

If the game turns into a track meet, the Eagles could be toast. A couple of weeks ago, the Saints didn’t play much defense yet still rolled to a 45-35 smackdown of the Rams that wasn’t that close.

“I think at this point in the year with the way things are going that we can only focus on ourselves,” Ertz said. “If we start focusing on their offense then we’ll be dealing with way too much. Obviously, I think everyone understands that they’re an extremely good football team all around. Not only offensively but they have a really good defense and a really good special teams unit as well.

“So, it’s going to be a really tough task for us. But at the same time this is a game where hopefully we can gain some momentum. But it’s going to be tough.”

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The Eagles reported that cornerback Jalen Mills (foot), tight end Joshua Perkins (knee) and running back Darren Sproles (hamstring) were held out of practice Thursday.

Offensive tackle Lane Johnson (knee) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (knee) were limited.

The good news is that cornerback Sidney Jones (hamstring) was a full participant. Jones, who plays the nickel, sat out the last three games.

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The Saints reported that offensive tackle Terron Armstead (shoulder) and defensive end Marcus Davenport (toe) didn’t practice Thursday.

Veteran Jermon Bushrod, only 34, likely will make his first start at left tackle since 2015 in place of Armstead.