The Philadelphia Eagles took just their second loss of the season Sunday night, falling on the road to the Seattle Seahawks, 24-10.
It was a rough game overall for Philly, who had their struggles all around up against the depleted Legion of Boom and the 12th Man. Much of what vaulted the Eagles to the top spot in the NFC coming didn’t exist in this game. Here are the Eagles Week 13 takeaways.
Week 13 Philadelphia Eagles Takeaways
Too Many Penalties
Throughout the game, especially the first half, penalties ruptured the Eagles momentum and threw the momentum to Seattle’s side. Too many drives, defensive holding penalties or pass interferences helped the Seahawks move down the field and led to some points in the first half. The Birds finished with seven penalties for 64 yards, but they were critical and costly. Seattle won too many battles and kept the Eagles on their heels.
Moving forward, the Eagles need to realize improvement with regard to penalties. Though they finished right in line with their average for the year on Sunday, they came into Sunday’s game ranked 22nd in the league in penalties per game. Philly is still in line for one of the NFC’s two byes. But to truly contend for the Super Bowl, they need to be more disciplined.
Doug Pederson’s Missed Challenge
In the fourth quarter with the Eagles down 17-10, Russell Wilson scrambled to gain a first down. When it was apparent he wouldn’t get to the first-down marker, he flipped a lateral to the running back to gain the first down. After replay, it was apparent it was a forward pass but Doug Pederson elected not to challenge. Wilson led the charge down the field and fired home a touchdown to make it a two-score game with about eight minutes left and just about seal the game away.
While we don’t know the communication on the field, it was a missed non-challenge by Pederson.
Zach Ertz Out Is a Problem
Top tight end Zach Ertz, who remained quiet throughout the game, left early on with an apparent head injury and concussion. He went to the locker room and didn’t return. Ertz is Carson Wentz’s top security blanket and with him out for a period of time potentially, it creates a problem to the offense. With the Los Angeles Rams up next on deck, it could be all hands on deck if Ertz can’t suit up.
That becomes apparent considering Ertz is tied with Alshon Jeffery for the team lead in touchdown receptions with seven. Not only does that account for nearly half of the Eagles’ passing scores in 2017. It’s second among tight ends behind the Seahawks Jimmy Graham who added to his league leading total on Sunday. All of it underscores that the Eagles’ offense will certainly miss Ertz if he’s forced to miss any games.
