Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles fall below .500 after losing to the Seattle Seahawks at home. Carson Wentz and his supporting cast must figure it out fast or else.
At the start of the year, the Philadelphia Eagles were a sexy pick to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIV down in South Beach. Now, the only way that the Eagles will be going to Miami this February will likely be as spectators, as Philadelphia dropped to 5-6 on the year after losing at home to the Seattle Seahawks. Carson Wentz and his supporting cast have to figure it out fast.
Wentz struggled all afternoon against the Seattle defense. He completed 33-of-45 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His touchdown came in the final seconds to his favorite receiving target Zach Ertz, but a failed onside kick attempt led to another Seahawks road victory. Seattle just doesn’t lose on the road anymore, but where does Philadelphia go from here?
Admittedly, the Eagles were severely depleted in the receiving corps. So that was a huge reason for their lackluster offense. However, Wentz is a former No. 2 overall pick and an NFL MVP candidate only two years ago. The Eagles drafted him that high to carry the franchise when it needs him to the most. He’s not doing it and should have had an easier time against Seattle.
This is not the Legion of Boom defense from yesteryear. Seattle is winning because the Seahawks have a quarterback who can carry his team on his back and find ways to win when they don’t look possible in Russell Wilson. He’s playing at an NFL MVP-level this year in his illustrious NFL career that will almost certainly end with a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio. Wentz missed a lot of throws.
One would think that the architect of the Philly Special in Eagles head coach Doug Pederson would find a way to get the most out of the best quarterback talent to have played for the Eagles since Randall Cunningham. Unfortunately, he has not and Philadelphia’s Super Bowl hero Nick Foles now plays his football professionally in North Florida for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nothing special.
At 5-6, the Eagles are still alive to win the NFC East, only because the Dallas Cowboys aren’t running away with the worst division in football. They were 6-4 on the year entering their road date with the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon. This division is still winnable for the Eagles, but they have to manage more than nine points at home against a so-so defense.