PHILADELPHIA — The explosives came early, the implosion late.
The Eagles took a two-score lead into the fourth quarter Sunday but gave up 18 unanswered points to lose 21-17 to the Denver Broncos at Lincoln Financial Field. Here are five things we learned about the Birds, who suffered their first home loss since September of last year against Atlanta.
1. Explosive plays still flash, but not enough to carry them
The Eagles managed to connect on big shots: the 47-yard Barkley catch on a wheel route, a 52-yard strike to DeVonta Smith and a 24-yard catch by Jahan Dotson. Those plays showed the capability is there. (Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby added returns of 37 and 26 yards on special teams.)
However, A.J. Brown had just five catches for 43 yards on eight targets, including a misconnection on a third-quarter deep route that had touchdown potential.
2. The passing game awoke — until the Broncos responded
Quarterback Jalen Hurts was 23 of 38 for 280 yards, two TDs and no interceptions, and through three quarters the passing offense looked dangerous. But in the final quarter, Denver’s coverage tightened, pressure increased and the Birds’ passing attack lost momentum again.
The Broncos forced more difficult down-and-distance situations and limited the Eagles’ ability to push the ball vertically when it was most needed.
“Lack of execution” was a phrase Hurts kept repeating postgame.
3. Running game is still a glaring weakness
Saquon Barkley’s limited volume (six carries for 30 yards) highlights just how little the Eagles leaned on the run, especially when Denver was daring them to do so. Considering Barkley was averaging five yards per carry and Shipley six, it would have made sense to run the ball with 14-point lead in the second half.
In late-game situations, the Birds failed to stay balanced or force the Broncos to respect the run. That made their offense more predictable and vulnerable in crunch time.
“Obviously, we want to run the ball more than we were able to today, or pardon me, what we did today,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “You always want to come out of that game with Saquon getting enough touches for the type of player he is. So again, we’ll look for solutions.”
4. Defense was dominant for three quarters
Until the fourth, the Eagles’ defense was suffocating, holding Denver largely in check in both rushing and passing. The unit seemed in control entering the final period after forcing six consecutive Broncos punts.
But Denver and its stout offensive front stuck with the run and began to break through during a fourth-quarter surge that included a J.K. Dobbins touchdown burst.
Also, quarterback Bo Nix hit tight end Evan Engram for a score following a 34-yard completion to Courtland Sutton. Broncos coach Sean Payton, always aggressive, called for a key 2-point conversion, and Nix found Troy Franklin to give the Broncos an 18-17 advantage with 7:36 remaining.
5. Offensive line remains an issue
The O-line was historically great last year but hasn’t been as sharp this season. Depth is a concern. The Eagles lost left guard Landon Dickerson (ankle), plus blocking tight end Grant Calcaterra (oblique), in the first quarter. Backup LG Brett Toth had some struggles, including a fourth-period penalty, in place of Dickerson. A late flag on right guard Tyler Steen also hurt.
As the Broncos sensed weakness inside, they attacked it. Hurts was sacked six times and hit eight. Denver also contained his scrambling ability to just two attempts for three yards.
6. (Bonus) Penalties and non-calls sting down the stretch
In a comeback game where every yard and decision mattered, there were several penalties and controversial calls (or non-calls) that shaped the final outcome. Here are just a few highlights:
• On a pivotal drive late, rookie Eagles safety Drew Mukuba stuffed RJ Harvey’s run on third-and-2, but a late-flag on linebacker Zack Baun extended the series.
“Short-yardage situation, he was fighting for extra yards, and we’re taught to cap off on those types of situations,” Baun said. “I didn’t think he was down. One ref threw the flag. … It could have gone either way.”
• In one instance, intentional grounding was initially called on Denver but then overruled by replay assist. That allowed Nix to complete a pass to Sutton for 16 yards.
• The Steen flag and an illegal shift on Barkley caused an Eagles drive to sputter midway through the fourth quarter.
• With nine seconds left, the officials swallowed their whistles on what should have been defensive pass interference that prevented Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert from a chance at the ball inside the Denver 5-yard line.
Bottom Line
The Eagles (4-1) continue to show they have big-play juice, a dangerous passing game and a defense capable of domination. But in this one, Denver (3-2) impressed by making the adjustments and exploiting the flaws when it mattered most. The Birds have a short week, traveling to MetLife Stadium for a Thursday night game against the Giants.
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranco.
Source: Berkshire mont
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