Will This Be A Warm Winter?

Posted: November 27th, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

The Eagles are 5-6, having lost two games in a row. They scored 19 points in the two games combined. It wasn’t pretty, to put it mildly. So it may seem strange to ask this question: can the Eagles go on a hot streak?

I’ve had several people ask me how anyone could think this team can get hot. Well, let’s talk about that.

The defense was a major issue early in the year, but that has changed in a big way. Jim Schwartz now has a healthy group of players and they are rolling. The Eagles have allowed 15 points a game over the past four contests. That is the kind of defense you want to be playing in November and December.

The Eagles just got Nigel Bradham back last week and should be adding Cre’Von LeBlanc sometime soon so the D can even get better.

But the offense has been terrible recently. That is true, but it shouldn’t stay that way.

It sure sounds like the Eagles will have their starting O-line this Sunday. We’ll find out more about Lane Johnson on Wednesday. Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor could be back as well. Jordan Howard is probably going to miss another week, but Miles Sanders and Jay Ajayi formed a good 1-2 punch last week, going 18-79 on the ground.

Two weeks ago the Eagles went against the best D in the league while missing multiple starters. Last Sunday they went against a mediocre D while missing several key guys. Getting these players back can make a big difference.

Even without DeSean Jackson, the Eagles have three games of 30 or more points. This offense can move the ball and score. They need a strong OL to help them run the ball. They need the WRs to make the occasional play. They need Carson Wentz to be…Carson Wentz.

No one is ignoring his struggles the past two weeks. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to continue playing like that. As Wentz gets his guys back, I fully expect him to play better and that would make a world of difference. I think too many people are passing judgment on Wentz as if the past two games are going to become the norm. That is possible, but I would be shocked if it happened. Shocked.

Wentz has big time talent. He is focused and driven. This isn’t a guy who is trying to live life in the fast lane. Wentz isn’t out there dating playmates and closing down bars. He’s committed to being a good QB. That focus and work ethic hasn’t done him much good the last couple of games, but it will serve him well in the long run.

If the defense can continue to play well and the offense can wake up, the Eagles can win some games.

A lot of people focus on the schedule and that is a factor. Talking about opponents can be tricky, though. Miami is just 2-9, but they started 0-7. That means they have the same record as the Eagles over the past four weeks, 2-2. The Skins are terrible, but found a way to win last Sunday. The Giants haven’t won since September, but they’ve been in close games the past month. You never know when they’ll steal a game.

The schedule is easier, but these teams aren’t just going to lay down for the Eagles. There are a lot of young guys on these bad teams and some of them are playing hard and trying to make the most of their playing time. That can make these teams dangerous. The Eagles must play with a sense of urgency. They must be aggressive. If the Eagles take these teams lightly, they will get embarrassed.

The good news in a disappointing season is that the Eagles can still turn this thing around. It has happened multiple times for the Eagles over the years, including last season when a 5-1 finish put them into the postseason.

If the Eagles can play better overall and they are going against weaker competition, they can get on a hot streak. You’ll notice “can” is the key word there.

This will only happen if the Eagles play better.

You know the old saying “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.” That usually proves to be true. We’ll find out a lot about this team in the next month. What happens won’t just affect the Eagles playoff chances, it will also have a direct bearing on offseason decisions.

The front office should have already learned some important lessons from the failures of this season, but the next month will give them even more information about what needs to happen down the road.

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One Comment on “Will This Be A Warm Winter?”

  1. 1 The Linc - Brandon Brooks opens up about his most recent battle with anxiety - Philly's Top Five said at 8:15 AM on November 27th, 2019:

    […] Will This Be A Warm Winter? – Iggles BlitzEven without DeSean Jackson, the Eagles have three games of 30 or more points. This offense can move the ball and score. They need a strong OL to help them run the ball. They need the WRs to make the occasional play. They need Carson Wentz to be…Carson Wentz. No one is ignoring his struggles the past two weeks. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to continue playing like that. As Wentz gets his guys back, I fully expect him to play better and that would make a world of difference. I think too many people are passing judgment on Wentz as if the past two games are going to become the norm. That is possible, but I would be shocked if it happened. Shocked. Wentz has big time talent. He is focused and driven. This isn’t a guy who is trying to live life in the fast lane. Wentz isn’t out there dating playmates and closing down bars. He’s committed to being a good QB. That focus and work ethic hasn’t done him much good the last couple of games, but it will serve him well in the long run. […]