Raise your hand if you were surprised that Nelson Agholor did come up with that last-second pass that could have drawn the Eagles even with the Patriots in their Sunday showdown at the Linc.
Agholor, who continues to exhibit problems tracking deep passes, took an odd path to the ball and then had it go through his fingers in the end zone.
But Agholor is only one symptom - albeit a recurring one - in an offense that simply does not have enough weapons.
And the one feature of the Birds' attack that works - the run game - was handicapped before the game even started with the absence of Jordan Howard, out with a banged-up shoulder. Despite that, the Eagles established the run game - and a 10-0 lead, early in the game.
But for some reason, Doug Pederson again decided to go away from the ground game. He put the game in the hands - and right arm - of Carson Wentz and this less than overwhelming receiving corps. It did not help that the Birds' offense seemed to grind to a halt the second offensive right tackle Lane Johnson left the field with a head injury. He did not return. Neither did the Birds' offense.
The result was about what you would expect.
The scatter-armed Wentz never really got into a rhythm, consistently missing receivers when they were open, holding the ball too long at other times, and coughing up a critical fumble.
If the Eagles do not increase their tepid offensive weapons, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye, especially if they are without Howard for any length of time and if Pederson is going to insist on depending on the pass.
The Patriots were there for the taking Sunday. The Eagles' defense was more than up to the task. Tom Brady looked decidedly less than the Greatest of All Time in Sunday's windy conditions at the Linc, struggling with his accuracy the same as Wentz did.
One final thought: Never let it be said that Bill Belichick ever forgets.
Do you think the Patriots' crusty coach was more than a little tired of hearing about the legend of the 'Philly Special,' the gadget play that saw Nick Foles catch a TD pass to spark the Birds to a win in Super Bowl LII over the Pats?
I don't think it was a coincidence that the winning TD for the Patriots was scored on a trick play of their own, with wideout Julian Edelman throwing a 15-yard TD on a flea-flicker play.
No, Belichick has not forgotten.
Comments