Philadelphia Eagles Have Privileged 'Adversity' After Loss to Dallas Cowboys
In two weeks, an aura of invincibility for the Philadelphia Eagles has turned toward an air of uncertainty.
A magnificent 31-game stretch of football since the start of the 2022 season went south for the Eagles against their supposed peers in the NFC, first in a 42-19 beatdown at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers followed by a less-than-inspiring 33-13 setback to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
In the provincial world of Philadelphia sports, the lull had to be the Eagles’ effort and intensity, coupled with coaching malfeasance, that couldn’t match lesser opponents because it couldn’t possibly be the best roster in football getting exposed.
For too many Eagles fans, if Josh Sweat creates a new default setting against backup tackle Oli Udoh in Week 2, surely it should continue against future Hall of Famers like Trent Williams and Tyron Smith. If Christian McCaffrey is gouging the Eagles, why shouldn’t D’Andre Swift be able to do the same to the 49ers?
And if the Cowboys are the only team in NFL history to score at least 30 points in each of their first seven home games, Philadelphia’s failure to stop that should require defensive coordinator Sean Desai to be set adrift on the Schuylkill River never to return to polite society.
Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Brian Johnson’s inability to call plays that keep A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith from dropping passes and fumbling is a fireable offense.
The cardinal rule is that it’s never the "star players" in Philadelphia, admittedly a nebulous standard that can change on a dime (see Darius Slay and James Bradberry), it’s always the character actors.
Have no fear, however, MVP candidate-turned-struggling quarterback Jalen Hurts had a t-shirt slogan at the ready for any bootleggers who needed a Christmas idea.
“This is something we’re going through,” Hurts said, “not something we’re stuck in.”
Stuck in the mire of unimaginative offense and over-matched defense is exactly where the Eagles are at this particular moment in time, however.
The good news is the Eagles have put enough in the bank to persevere in the coming weeks as the schedule eases.
There are no magic fixes, though.
“To say I have the magic answer right now, I don’t think that’s realistic,” head coach Nick Sirianni said before defaulting to the cliched. “... Today, what it was about, was some turnovers. And then just got to start a little bit faster.”
Veteran Fletcher Cox, who has seen the highs and lows, seemed like the most pragmatic in the Eagles' locker room.
“Let’s be honest: We got punched in the mouth two weeks in a row,” Cox said. “... We’ll get it stitched up.”
Fletcher Cox is a leader the Eagles will count on.
© Bill Streicher, USA TODAY
The Eagles could get it stitched up but only when their stars start playing like stars again.
Until then, the blame game will continue unabated to protect the chosen few. Winning is the only tonic for the rest. Losing means scapegoating.
“I can keep it simple and just say ‘win’,” Hurts said. “We’ve done a lot of that for a long time. These last two games we haven’t been able to do that.”
The unintended consequence to the Eagles' recent ability to win has created unrealistic expectations and little patience for any hiccups along the way.
Being tied for the NFL’s best record through 14 weeks isn’t good enough when the current snapshot has Philadelphia surrendering the No. 1 seed and the top spot in the NFC East with four weeks to play.
While other teams fight and claw for postseason berths down the stretch the playoffs are still assured for the Eagles and finishing the season strong with four consecutive wins would still guarantee Philadelphia a division title and leave no room for error by the 49ers down the stretch.
“I think the biggest thing for this team now is really find out who the dudes are,” Cox said. “... Now it’s time to see the real leadership. The real players. The guys that are elite on this team, myself included, step up and do something about it.
“Get this team another win.”
On this Mental Health Monday in Philadelphia, even the adversity for the Eagles comes with the protection of playoff privilege.
