5 Things We Learned From the Week Two Philadelphia Eagles

That was disappointing.

The offense came out with no energy and no physicality. Wentz was putrid in the first, missing receivers left and right, and bodies were dropping like flies. Despite that, do not panic! The season is far from over. Anyway, here are five things to take away from Sunday’s game.

The Offense Cannot Sputter to Start

The first half offensively was rough to watch. Two interceptions, two injuries, and two field goals were all they had to show for. This is becoming a trend for Doug Pederson teams, but is something the 2019 Eagles cannot afford to do, and what the Superbowl Champion 2017 Eagles accomplished. Moreover, the main culprit for these starts is the O-line’s rhythm early, and in various instances, it bleeds into the rest of the game (the O-line was atrocious from start to finish).

Here are a Couple Ways to Change that (Doug Pederson Take notes):

Incorporate the Quick Passing Game Early

Three-step drops and screens should get the job done, in this case. Do not handcuff Carson early, but allow him to ease into the game and develop an understanding of the opposing team’s defensive strategies, along with their tendencies. This will aid both Wentz, and the O-line get going in the first quarter.

Pound the Ball, Pound the Ball, Pound the Ball

The Eagles have four quality running backs use them all! If the game gets out of hand, the Eagles will be forced to throw, so run early. This will also play hand in hand with the defense, play-action deep ball, and the O-line.

Mack Hollins can be More than a Special teamer

The motto of the NFL is what have you done for me lately? This is precisely the treatment Mack Hollins received after his rookie reason, going on IR and this preseason. The fan consensus was that Greg Ward should have made the 53 man roster over him. Although I thought Ward should have made the roster as a sixth wide receiver, it was undoubtable that Mack Hollins was the better overall player. He is an excellent special-teamer and had a promising rookie season, leaving some people with the notion that he would be the teams next deep threat and third wide-out for the foreseeable future. Yesterday, he displayed the player that we had seen in his rookie season. There was no flash and no floss. However, he was who we initially thought he was, a rangy, solid, fourth or on this team fifth wide receiver with great hands. What stood out the most for me was his route running ability. This aspect of his game is undoubtedly the most underrated part of it. He is extremely smooth when running and fluid in his hips. No one is declaring that Mack Hollins should start for this team or that he is an upgrade over JJ Arcega-Whiteside. All in all, I understand the sample size is small, but Hollins is simply too versatile and valuable to this team to have even been considered to be cut.

The Front Four Needs to Be Better

Does Jim Schwartz know that he does not have to blitz once in a blue moon? This question was pondering over all Eagles’ fans minds this Sunday night, but it should have never been answered. The Falcons O-line is on paper no match for the Eagles D-line; their entire right side is injured. However, disregarding Jim Schwartz’s excellently timed blitzes, there was no pressure on Matt Ryan (0 sacks and 6 QB hits). The Eagles have invested, time, money, and high draft picks to this defensive line, banking on them to dominate, but in the first two weeks, the results have been barren. With Timmy Jernigan at least out for a month and Malik Jackson out for the year, someone has to step up. This must be Dereck Barnett. Barnett had a decent game on Sunday and was excellent against the run.

Nevertheless, he lacked a little in the pass-rushing department. Dereck was consistently winning his matchup, driving his opponent into the quarterback, but never got home. I understand that getting pressure on a quarterback is essential, but sacks kill drives and get to the quarterback’s head.

Carson Wentz can Carry This Team (and is clutch)

I understand that his record in 4th quarter one-possession games is disturbing. However, those numbers lack context. There are numerous games, for instance, this week, last year’s Cowboys game, the Baltimore game his rookie year, and against the Colts in his first game back from his ACL tear, where he has shown that he has got what it takes to orchestrate a game-winning drive. Although not all of these games have resulted in wins, he did everything he possibly could to put the team on his back in pressure moments.

The Eagles Need to Shuffle their Eagles Medical Staff

How many seasons have been lost to injury for this team? 10 players left the field for some time yesterday, and most did not come back. Mr. Laurie, take another look at that staff.

Featured photo from Jack Kurzenknabe