The rivalry between these teams have taken on an interesting tone given how their last few games have come down to a fourth down play. Amazing how some things never change, isn’t it?
In no particular order:
- How much can Carson Wentz take? We’re going to find out over the next few weeks if he continues to take hits like he did against the Falcons. He absorbed some solid hits to his ribs in the first quarter and went through the league’s concussion protocol before returning just before halftime.
- Atlanta Reversal. After doing everything wrong last week, Atlanta’s game plan for this week probably started with “Don’t do anything we did last week.” However the coaching staff went about it, it worked as their defense was vastly improved and caused plenty of headaches for Wentz and company.
- Injured birds. By halftime, the Eagles’ sideline looked more like a triage unit as both their starting receivers, Desean Jackson and Alshon Jeffrey, left early and didn’t return, along with tight end Dallas Goedert. Third wideout Nelson Agholor also went through the concussion protocol, but he past it like Wentz and returned to the game.
- Eagles questionable coaching. It’s not too often Doug Pederson’s decisions are questioned, but after having Josh McCown subbing for Wentz leading up to halftime, he allowed Wentz to head out to the field with only a few seconds left following completing his concussion protocol. From the way the sideline reporting sounded, Wentz put himself in. Sure, Wentz is the face of the franchise, but if Pederson simply took his word for it right then or didn’t wait, that may raise eyebrows. Of course, given the chaos on their sidelines with the injuries, it’s understandable to a degree.
- Jim Schwartz tried to win it with his defense. After the Falcons took a double-digit lead to start the second half, Schwartz unleashed his defense on the Falcon’s offense. His goal, given the deficit and injuries on offense, was to pressure the Falcons and win it with his defense. It made sense and he nearly pulled it off as he kept the Falcons’ offense in check until the Eagle’s offense could put together a couple of drives. However, it ended with two minutes left when Julio Jones caught a screen pass on 4th and 3 and raced 54 yards for the game winning touchdown.
- Zach Ertz ran a bad route. On 4th and 8 and with the game on the line, Zach Ertz ran a comeback route that netted a seven yard gain after he was tackled half a yard short of the first down. Chris Collinsworth mentioned that had he run his usual seam pattern and fallen forward, he would’ve had the first down. While that is true, let’s channel John Madden for a moment. One of Madden’s pet peeves were receivers that didn’t run past the first down marker. Had Ertz done that, the spot would’ve been a lot closer and he may have gotten the first down. Either way, it was the wrong choice and it cost the Eagles the game.
Post Game
A great game, the mistakes took nothing from the effort of the players and coaches as they only served to add drama and force each team to work to overcome them. In the end, we’ll remember this more for the big plays and struggles than the miscues.
