Are the Eagles On the Way Up or Down Bad?
We look at the Birds to evaluate what's for real and what's not
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I spill on myself way too often. I’m what you would call a modern marvel, bucking every expectation of decorum for a man with a job in his mid-30s. Anything that dares to make the bold leap from a cup or plate to my graphic tee is welcome.
Few things are worse than grabbing coffee with a friend and realizing your iced latte hit you with a stain shaped like Australia while you’re describing the plot of Pootie Tang. It’s a real day killer. What’s worse is that a public spill usually begets a series of unfortunate events. One coffee stain turns into accidentally saying “good night” to a coworker at the end of a 10am meeting, turns into the heel of your Vans landing in dog shit.
We can all relate (no? just me?), especially the Philadelphia Eagles. For the past three weeks, the Eagles have been caught in one giant “spill-misplaced-good-night-dog shit stepping” cycle. Our Birds are coming off their first two-loss streak since 2023, both in games they were favored. Six weeks into the 2025 season, the Eagles are underperforming for the elite level of talent they have on both sides of the ball.
Their offense is as inconsistent as the last season of Game of Thrones. Their defense is more tired than Jon Snow defending the Wall. A.J. Brown has moments where he goes full Daenerys Targaryen. Simply put, the vibes are treacherous (and more importantly, I need to rewatch Game of Thrones).
But with a little time for reflection, we need to ask ourselves if things are actually bad and which things are destined to improve.
To do so, we’re going to use the Down Bad scale, developed by the nation’s leading scientists (and by that I mean, me and my cats) to evaluate a team’s performance. We’ll be reviewing each facet of the team’s recent struggles on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being WE UP or, for the less colloquially-inclined, “things will get better” to 10 being DOWN BAD, also known as “potentially hopeless.”
Let’s get to it.
The Eagles Running Game
Thus far in the season, it’s been tough sledding for reigning Offensive Player of the Year and Backward Hurdle Enthusiast Saquon Barkley. Last year, the Eagles had the #1 rushing attack in the NFL (by EPA/Play) on their way to winning the Super Bowl.
After their 2024 Week 5 Bye, the team noticeably made the shift to what I elegantly call the “2024 Post Week 5 Bye Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts Offense.” Sirianni and then offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s new direction was based on three tenants - winning the turnover ratio (or taking the ball away on defense more than you give it away on offense), dominating time of possession (holding onto the ball more than the other team), and hunting for explosive plays on the ground. Though conservative at times, the Eagles rode that offense on their way to winning the Super Bowl earlier this year.
The 2025 Eagles do none of those things (womp womp). They are 19th in the league in time of possession this year after being 1st last year. It all starts with the lack of traction in the running game. Our boy Shayshawn is being contacted behind the line of scrimmage on 36% of his runs. Barkley is currently averaging 3.42 yards per carry after averaging 5.8 yards per carry in 2024.
Saquon has the 2nd most tackles for loss in the league for a running back. Despite having the 6th most rushing attempts in the league, he has the 22nd most yards and the 77th most yards per attempt.
So what’s the deal with Saquon (said in Jerry Seinfeld voice)? One major issue is that the Eagles’ once dominant offensive line is simply not blocking as well. The Eagles rank 23rd in the league in run stop win rate (which is a metric created by ESPN that points to success blocking in the run game).
The offensive line’s struggles in the run game could be the result of injuries. Landon Dickerson, who dealt with a knee injury towards the end of training camp, is collecting injuries like Thanos collects infinity stones and is currently dealing with an ankle injury. Cam Jurgens notably played through a back injury in the postseason that he spent the offseason recovering from. Lane Johnson left the Rams game early with a stinger and has spent time in and out of games. The Eagles have had to lean into their offensive line depth (who, hot take, are not the best). On top of that, after a long postseason run that saw the Eagles put up historic rushing numbers, the offensive line looks exhausted. They also lost interior lineman Mekhi Becton to free agency, who was a big part of the line’s success last season.
That being said, I expect the run game to get better. Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator Jeff Stoutland is one of the best coaches league. If the Eagles adjust their playcalling, strengthen blocking at the point of attack, and look to incorporate Jalen Hurts-designed runs into the offense a little bit more, I can see it opening things up for Saquon. The offensive line is pretty much the same as last year’s historic season and will only get healthier. Saquon Barkley is still the world-beater we saw last year. The running game is what makes this offense go, and I think it’s only a matter of time before we see marked improvement.
VERDICT: 3 out of 10 on the Down Bad Scale
The Eagles’ Passing Game
The passing game can best be described by this America’s Next Top Model meme.
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This is a passing attack that’s allergic to the second half of games (aside from the miracle comeback against the Rams, which I still dream about). The Eagles have lost second-half leads in 2 of the last 3 games (including a 14-point 4th quarter lead against Denver). Against the Bucs and Giants, they had three straight 3-and-outs after halftime. Against the Bucs, Jalen Hurts went 0-for-8 passing after halftime.
Speaking of Hurts, in the first half of games this season, Jalen is completing 75.28% of his passes in the first half of games with a rating of 108.1. That passer rating is similar to the overall passer ratings of quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Matthew Stafford. In the second half of games this season, Hurts’ stats have plummeted. He is completing 60.24% of his passes in the second half of games with a rating of 91.8, which puts him in the company of quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa and Spencer Rattler. Big yikes!
Last year, the Eagles’ passing offense ranked 8th by EPA/Play, and this year they rank 22nd between the Falcons and the injured Ravens. Not what a team with A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert should look like. Speaking of A.J. Brown, he’s on track to have the worst year of his career.
Overall, I think there are solutions here. I’d love to see Patullo and Sirianni learn from teams like the Rams and the Broncos, who are using under-center play action and bootlegs to move the pocket and create easy reads for their quarterbacks.
But for some reason, the Birds like making things difficult on themselves. They prefer to play offense like Bruce Willis walking over glass in Die Hard. If the run game gets going, I believe the passing game will open up.
However, this is an offensive system that needs to evolve, and that won’t happen during the season. The Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts offense will never be a consistently potent passing attack, despite the weapons they have at their disposal. And Patullo, as a first-time offensive coordinator, is still finding his groove as a playcaller, even though you can see some moments where he shows the potential to grow into a solid coordinator. But Patullo may need time to develop, which the Eagles can’t afford to give him. I don’t see the passing attack becoming consistent, but maybe all they need are a few moments of greatness here and there to win it all again.
VERDICT: 7 out of 10 on the Down Bad Scale
The Second Cornerback Conundrum
Our boy, our baby Quinyon Mitchell, has taken a step this year towards solidifying himself as an All-Pro cornerback. With the exception of a few gaffes, Quinyon has been a bonafide star. The same can be said for slot corner Cooper DeJean, who is already the best slot corner in the league and will probably win Defensive Player of the Year someday. The Debbie Downer of it all is the dreaded second cornerback spot, where Kelee Ringo and Adoree Jackson (also known as “The Terrible Two”) have taken residence.
Adoree Jackson started the season and immediately had difficulty covering opposing receivers and tackling. Quarterbacks are completing 63% of passes against him, and he’s missing 16.7% of his tackles. Kelee Ringo has his moments, but overall hasn’t been much better. Ringo is allowing passers to complete 60% of their passes against him, and he’s missed 15.0% of his tackles.
For reference, Quinyon Mitchell is allowing a completion percentage of 50% and misses only 6.6% of his tackles. Former Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (who the team could’ve resigned in the offseason at the CB2 spot) is also allowing a completion percentage of 50% and misses only 9.5% of his tackles.
With visions of Lil’Jordan Humphrey outrunning Kelee Ringo in my head, it’s safe to say this has become an issue. Especially as the Eagles look to take on teams with multiple talented receivers, including the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Green Bay’s slew of young wideouts, Detroit’s Amon Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and Chicago’s DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
Aside from a midseason trade, there aren’t many options beyond hoping Ringo gets body snatched by Darius Slay. Kicking DeJean out to the second cornerback spot in base packages could help, but Cooper makes his biggest impact on the game as a slot cornerback who can be involved all over the field rather than being on an island.
I’m afraid CB2 is down the baddest.
VERDICT: 9 out of 10 on the Down Bad Scale
Pass Rush
Za’Darius Smith quiet quit and left an already depleted Eagles defensive line with one less pass rusher. Thus far, the Eagles haven’t been able to get to opposing quarterbacks. They have 9 total sacks, which ranks 25th in the league. They rank 13th in the league in pass rush win rate (a metric that shows how often a pass rusher can beat his block in 2.5 seconds). But if you recall, the pass rush wasn’t especially potent last year outside of the Super Bowl.
The Eagles are in serious need of help here. But I think the return of a (hopefully) healthy Jalen Carter will improve things. Carter’s gravity creates opportunities for the rest of the line. Moro Ojomo ranks 10th among defensive tackles in pass rush win rate and is only improving. I’m excited to see what Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, and Josh Uche do with extended playing time. And the return of Nolan Smith in early November should help.
Overall, I’m concerned, but I think with a decent secondary and one of the greatest defensive minds of all time, there’s potential for improvement here.
VERDICT: 5 out of 10 on the Down Bad Scale
Returning Kicks
The Birds’ leading kick returner is Tank Bigsby, the talented backup running back they inexplicably traded for from the Jaguars despite already having three running backs solidified in their roles on the roster. Bigsby was hailed as a kick return savant (like the Young Sheldon of returning kicks). But unfortunately, he currently ranks 65th in average return yards as the Eagles’ leading kick returner. That is not great.
The team needs to try out different options here and see if something sticks. The recent signing of veteran return man Xavier Gipson, who for his career averages 25.8 yards per return versus Bigbsy’s 2025 average of 20.8 yards per return, could solve the problem. The Eagles just need to find anyone who can catch a ball and not get tackled immediately.
VERDICT: 7 out of 10 on the Down Bad Scale
Culture
From cryptic tweets to secret meetings to the person in those meetings denying the meeting ever happened. It’s very Seinfeld-ian. The Eagles’ culture has been weird. Nick Sirianni is known as the ultimate vibes guy, but his superpowers seem to be waning. The vibes aren’t vibing like they used to vibe.
In Lane Johnson’s postgame comments after the loss to the Giants, he called out the offense for being too predictable. Jordan Mailata recently said that players weren’t focused enough. Is there trouble in South Philly?
Despite the weirdness, reports from this week point to things being fine internally. Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Saquon Barkley, and others have spoken positively about an offensive meeting they had this week with Kevin Patullo. This is a team that’s been together for a while now and has gone through significant ups (the Super Bowl!) and downs (the great collapse of 2023). I think they know each other well and have the leadership to navigate choppy waters. This is a team that’s proven that they know how to respond when things get tough.
VERDICT: 3 out of 10 on the Down Bad Scale
NEWS AND NOTES (Wow, you made it this far!):
Carson Wentz Revenge Game: This week, the Eagles take on the Minnesota Vikings in Prince’s hometown. The Eagles and the Vikings have a complicated recent history. In 2016, the Eagles traded their starting quarterback, Sam Bradford, to the Vikings to make room for Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz to take the lead. In Wentz’s 2nd season, which was MVP-worthy, the Eagles led by Well-Endowed Nick beat the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game on their way to winning the Super Bowl (after Wentz got injured at the end of the regular season). And now, Carson Wentz takes on his former team, starting for the Vikings in place of injured QB J.J. McCarthy.
Carson Wentz’s playing style is like a back-alley game of dice; anything could happen. He has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, and they are both Brett Favre. Fate has brought us together with Carson again. I have love for everything Carson did for this team when he was here, and I wish him the best in any game but this one. I sincerely hope we sack him a billion times on Sunday and that he is the cure for what ails this Eagles team.
Comparisons to the 2023 Collapse: 2023 was bad for the Birds! I can’t fault Philadelphia fans for not wanting to relive that epic collapse again and for fearing that this year will be similar. Even though there’s been a lot of comparison between this Eagles team and the one that collapsed in 2023, they are very different cases. That 2023 team had an inexperienced defensive coordinator who drove the team’s defense down to 30th in the league (by EPA/Play). This year’s team has one of the greatest defensive coordinators of our generation and is currently ranked 11th in the league. That team also ironically had the 7th best offense in the league by EPA/Play. They started the season 11-1 before losing 5 of their last 6 and getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs. These are two completely different teams with completely different issues.