Jaguars Defeat Eagles, 19-17: 5 Takeaways From Week 5
The Jacksonville Jaguars hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in London, 19-17. Both teams basically played hot potato with the win in the second half, as the Jaguars eventually emerged victorious. The Eagles are now below .500 for the first time since Week 13 of the 2021 regular season. Here are my five takeaways from Philadelphia’s third consecutive loss.
Nick Sirianni’s Seat Has Never Been Hotter
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was eight seconds away from being celebrated in Philadelphia. Yet he made a horrendous decision in the biggest moment of the game. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott kicked off the football short of the end zone, allowing Jaguars running back Ameer Abdullah to return it for 53 yards and put Jacksonville in field position for the game-winning field goal. If Sirianni is going to be a “CEO” head coach, he can’t continue to fail at doing all of the little things.
The problem is that the Eagles should’ve never been kicking the ball off in the first place. If Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon went down inbounds instead of going out of bounds, Philadelphia would’ve kicked their own game-winning field goal as the game clock expired. Instead, Lemon went out of bounds, the Eagles ran for a loss of yards and the Jaguars were able to save their timeout for fourth down. Then as we all know, catastrophe struck.
Maybe Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay and Elliott should’ve advocated to kick the ball out of the end zone. It’s also worth noting that the Eagles opted against the “dirty kick” that they’ve been utilizing punter Braden Mann as a holder for. If Philadelphia believes that type of kickoff gives them an advantage on every other kickoff, why not use it during the biggest one of the regular season so far?
Sirianni made several other mistakes earlier in the game, including a questionable fourth-down conversion attempt. Since Sirianni arrived in Philadelphia, he’s preached a message of “tough, detailed and together.” Yet Sirianni was anything but detailed on Sunday and it ultimately cost his team a win — and potentially his job, as well.
Sean Mannion Remains Stubborn
Eagles first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion was dealt a tough hand in London without several key starters due to injury. Yet once again, Mannion showed the inability to adapt to his personnel or what the defense is doing. Through the first four weeks of the regular season, it was clear that Philadelphia’s offense couldn’t function from under center or in heavy personnel. Well apparently it somehow remains unclear to Mannion.
The 34-year-old continues to try and shove a square peg through a round hole as the Eagles couldn’t get anything going against Jacksonville’s defense. When the offense went in shotgun and gave Hurts some time to throw, he was able to make plays at times. Yet the inconsistent approach and lack of a plan is clear to anyone that is watching Philadelphia’s offense. I understand that Mannion wants to utilize an under center offense with heavy personnel but it’s time to stop being stubborn and adapt — or his time with the Eagles will be up after this season too.
Jalen Hurts Isn’t Doing Enough
Similar to Mannion, Hurts wasn’t working with a full arsenal of weapons on Sunday. Yet there were plays to be made that Hurts simply didn’t take advantage of. The most notable was a deep shot to Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks that Hurts overthrew, which may have ultimately been the dagger. While Hurts was able to put the team in field goal range when it mattered most, it shouldn’t have been that close in the first place.
Philadelphia’s offense continues to look anemic in the second half and Hurts deserves some blame for that. Hurts has now completed just 47.1% of his pass attempts in the second half. Hurts missed on several passes throughout the game and is still showing an unwillingness to run when things breakdown. The Eagles don’t have a plan against any pre-snap pressure looks and that can’t strictly fall on the offensive play-caller or offensive line coach. If the Eagles are going to turn the ship around after three consecutive losses, Hurts will need to play better.
Jalen Carter (and the Defense) Is Back!
Through the first four games of the regular season, Eagles interior defensive lineman Jalen Carter looked like a shell of himself. Carter has been playing through a hairline fracture in his right wrist, which seemed to severely limit him early on. Yet that wasn’t the case in London, as Carter made a living in Jacksonville’s backfield on Sunday. Carter finished the game with five total tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in a dominant performance.
Carter wasn’t the only defensive player that was making plays against the Jaguars. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun was all over the field, as he led the team with 11 total tackles and a tackle for loss. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell also finally recorded his first career interception in the regular season. It was another strong performance for Vic Fangio’s defense that was able to hold up late, unlike in Week 4. While the offense struggles, Philadelphia’s defense has certainly returned to form in recent weeks.
Injury Bug Bites Again
The Eagles entered Sunday’s game without several starters as Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Drew Kendall, Jonathan Greenard and Marcus Epps were all inactive. If Philadelphia’s roster wasn’t itching the injury bug bites enough, they suffered a few more in London. Eagles running back Will Shipley, guard Tyler Steen, edge rusher Jalyx Hunt and safety Michael Carter II all left the game with injuries on Sunday.
Shipley and Hunt were eventually ruled out and the third-year edge rusher was spotted wearing a walking boot in the locker room after the game. Steen was able to return but it forced the Eagles to use veteran offensive tackle Fred Johnson at right guard for several snaps. Veteran defensive back Kenny Moore II stepped in for Carter and played reasonably well, given the situation. I’d expect the Eagles to have another lengthy injury report next week.