After showing some fight in the first half, the Philadelphia Eagles again fell victim to their same consistent mistakes, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 42-30 and dropping to 1-3 on the season. What hurts so much about this loss is it wasn’t like Philadelphia only lost because they were outclassed, but they consistently shot themselves in the foot in crucial moments. Stupid penalties, play calls, and decisions on the field changed what could’ve been a huge statement win into another loss.

An apparent lack of discipline:

Penalties killed this team throughout the entire game on both sides of the football. 3rd downs on defense turned into first due to offsides calls, and three Eagles touchdowns were called back because of calls against the Eagles. Today, Philadelphia committed nine penalties and have amassed over 45 on the season, the most in a four-game span in franchise history. 

Derek Barnett, Josh Sweat, and Andre Dillard led the charge in penalties for this team, but this all falls on Nick Sirianni. Barnett has a continued string of these embarrassing calls, and despite his public statement last week to change things, he is still the same player. Josh Sweat had two offsides from jumping the snap too early and being as quick as he is. 

Andre Dillard had four calls today, but it’s hard to place too much blame on him for most of these. The holding call he received was barely a hold by modern standards, with his hand barely outside the defender’s shoulder. Meanwhile, he was downfield on an RPO, which is his responsibility, and was called for illegal man downfield. These calls have been a continuing prominent issue for this team, and something needs to be done ASAP before next week.

Jekyll and Hyde play-calling:

To start the game, Nick Sirianni’s play-calling was tremendous. He hit Miles Sanders with some carries early, used some play-action to build upon the established run, and targeted Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert through the air. Today’s issue wasn’t directed towards a lack of running like last week. The Eagles did not punt once today and got into the redzone almost every drive, but it was like Nick Sirianni forgot what he was doing once they got there.

Delay of games, bad passes, a lack of runs with short yardage, there were so many breakdowns in the schemes. The most significant issue came late into the second half. Jalen Hurts drove the Eagles into Kansas City territory, with 29 seconds on the clock with one timeout, and the clock stopped. 

Desperately needing a score, Nick Sirianni decides to have Hurts dump it on the outside for a one-yard gain in bounds. Instead of calling a timeout, Sirianni has Hurts run the clock down, which results in a blown-up play and a turnover, leaving with zero points. The opportunities are there. Nick Sirianni needs to realize this and capitalize upon them.

The Eagles defense is not good, across the board:

I don’t think we need to worry about Jonathan Gannon getting a head coaching gig anytime soon. Gannon’s defense has allowed over 40 points twice in just four games, something Jim Schwartz only did once in his entire Eagles career. This season, the run defense has been the Eagles’ biggest problem, allowing over 200 yards to Kansas City Today.

The only positive is they did as good of a job as one can against the Chiefs’ deep pass until late in the fourth quarter. Still, Patrick Mahomes took what the Eagles gave him and consistently churned out 5-7 yard plays, and Kansas City didn’t punt the ball once today. 

Eric Wilson had an interception but has consistently been a liability, alongside fellow linebacker Alex Singleton. Fletcher Cox didn’t record a single tackle and has been a shell of himself this season while Javon Hargrave continues to carry the group, recording another sack when desperately needed. 

Other quick notes:

• Jalen Hurts looked composed in the pocket often but tried to extend the play too long at times. He needs to know when to call it quits.
• For being without four of their starters, the Eagles’ offensive line looked pretty good but still need Mailata and Johnson back next week.
• DeVonta Smith is looking like the real deal, dominant, showing having seven receptions for 122 yards on the day.

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images