We’ll stick with the NFC East for an extra point, as late-game scenarios seem to be a particular issue for the division’s constituents.
After the Eagles drove to the go-ahead field goal with eight seconds remaining in what appeared to be a crucial win against a good Jaguars team, Nick Sirianni opted to kick it down the field. The move opened the door for a last-second victory at Jacksonville in London.
Sirianni probably had the Cowboys-Ravens Week 3 finale in his brain at that point, where Dallas punted in the end zone, allowing Baltimore to run a play and get into field goal range within 7 seconds for a stunning game-winner. The difference here was that Jacksonville had no timeouts. This detail is huge.
With no timeouts, even from the 35-yard line, Jacksonville would have had to throw a presumably well-guarded boundary to stop the clock. Not impossible, but more difficult than random kick returns can create. The fact that Philly allowed a big returner who was recalled to start the game and was missing a key special teams player in Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who had been ejected earlier for fighting, also should have played a role in Sirianni’s thinking.
The coach took responsibility after the defeat. Yes, Sirriani should be able to trust his special teams players to make a tackle, but the decision to punt wasn’t the only one that cost Philly.
Throwing after they got into Jake Elliott’s shot zone allowed Jacksonville to buy some time. An incomplete pass on first down stopped the clock, then Makai Lemon went out of bounds on second down and stopped the clock with 17 seconds left. Both decisions allowed the Jags to salvage their final timeout and prevented Philly from completely draining the final ticks before a potential game-winner.
The loss was a symptom of what currently ails the Eagles. In a game where the defense played well, the offense was once again in the tank in the second half. They generated just five first downs and had four three-and-outs in seven possessions after the break.
That’s not winning the football, regardless of where the kickoff takes place.
Sidebar: If the outcome had been different, we would have spent this time interviewing Liam Coen, who also had a mind-blowing day with a multitude of calls and questionable decisions. It pays to win.
Gn sports
