Pack it in: Four observations from the Eagles 33-22 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders

This team is falling apart at the hinges. After an electric start, the Philadelphia Eagles collapsed miserably on the road to the Las Vegas Raiders, 33-22. Every single player was to blame for today’s loss in some aspect. So many simple mistakes were committed as this team continues to fade out of any sort of contention. 

Jalen Hurts’ growing pains continue:

The jury has been out on Hurts for the last several weeks, but after today, it’s hard to fully say he can be the QB1 of the future. Hurts had several turnovers and head-scratching decisions that stalled the Eagles’ offense. Late in the fourth the second-year QB came alive but the game was over by this point, still commendable how this team refuses to give up.

Jalen Hurts fumbles the snap and then for some reason tried to pick it up and tween it through his legs and fumbled it again https://t.co/c58KSF7mTE

— Mismatch Philadelphia (@MismatchPhilly) October 24, 2021

It’s clear that Jalen Hurts cannot trust his offense if his first option is covered. He panics, scrambling out of bounds, rarely ending well. Nick Sirianni didn’t have that bad of a showing today play-calling-wise, so Hurts’ failures can’t be placed on that.

With how the Eagles’ front office was unconvinced on Hurts from the start, likely, they are already assessing their options moving forward. But even then, it’s hard to trust the regime that installed Hurts in the first place.

Jonathan Gannon is the most predictable DC in football:

What a letdown the hiring of Jonathan Gannon was. Being pegged by some to be a future head coach, Gannon has left many thoroughly confused about his defensive game planning. Philadelphia stuck almost entirely in a 3-4 hybrid running cover two, and Derek Carr torched them relentlessly for it. 

Carr only threw three incompletions and targeted Alex Singleton and the Eagles’ linebackers almost exclusively. Jonathan Gannon installed this “safe” defense to not allow big plays over the top, but what’s the difference if they’re going to score anyways? Alex Singleton and Eric Wilson are the worst linebacker duo in football, and it’s downright criminal that they’re allowed to start every single week. 

There isn’t much that Jonathan Gannon can do with his linebackers, and Howie Roseman is to blame for that. Roseman consistently has refused to invest in the position and has cost the Eagles several elite linebackers on the market. Until a regime change occurs at GM, I doubt that anything will change here in the near future.

The offensive line could not get anything going:

When the full stats are released tomorrow, I’ll be able to provide more analysis, but at first glance, this was the O-Line’s worst game this season by a mile. Philadelphia only let up two sacks, but they were the cause of so many of the Eagles’ shortcomings. Jack Driscoll somehow tipped a snap at guard that led to a goal-line turnover. Jordan Mailata was decimated at left tackle and had a facemask call overturn a huge run by Jalen Hurts.

https://twitter.com/BrodesMedia/status/1452393403107483657?s=20

This group is talented enough to bounce back, but a showing like this hurt the Eagles’ chances of making a comeback. Jordan Mailata looked to be banged up, so while Andre Dillard was rumored to be involved in trade talks, he could be sticking around. Late in the fourth, Lane Johnson left once again, further proving this team cannot afford to move Dillard at this time.

The Eagles ran the ball, for once:

The only positive takeaway is that Nick Sirianni decided to run the football. If we as a fanbase are celebrating our head coach relaxing running the football is good in week seven, things need to change. Miles Sanders was incredible before an ugly injury ruled him out early on. After Sanders left, the run game slowed down, but it’s hard to blame Nick Sirianni for that.

The designed play-action works when you establish the run?

Who would’ve thought. pic.twitter.com/whezh0m90s

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) October 24, 2021

Kenneth Gainwell had five carries for 20 yards, with Boston Scott having 24 yards on seven carries. It’s good to see this change occur, but it could be too little too late. Another positive for Sirianni is something mentioned above that has been a consistent theme in these losses. No matter the score, the Eagles refuse to give up.

The Eagles now head out to Detroit to face the Lions in a battle of two of the worst NFC teams. Detroit is trailing Los Angeles late as this is being written. But if the Lions lose, they could easily pick up their first win of the season against Philadelphia next week.

Meanwhile, in Arizona:

YAC Ertz. God hates Philadelphia. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/sE2ie7zs3H

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) October 24, 2021

Mandatory Credit: AP Photo