The Eagles finally joined the lost column, a frustrating defeat, but remain at the top of the NFL standings.
They fell to the Washington Commanders 32-21, in a game riddled with mistakes and miscues. With this loss, they’re 2-1 in the NFC east, one game up on the New York Giants, and two games up on the Dallas Cowboys.
FYI: I did predict that their first loss of the season would come at the hands of a divisional opponent and that Philly would split with Washington before the season.
But let’s look at the Week 10 Hungry Dog (player/coach of the game) and Bird in the Doghouse (worst player/coach of the game). I’ll also predict the best and worst performers in the Eagles’ upcoming matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
Week 10 Hungry Dog, Commanders @ Eagles
I got nothing. Honestly, I’ll give it to the referees for Washington. They were not the reason that almost the entire 2022 Eagles roster looked lost, but it’s impossible to deny they impacted the game in the 4th quarter. Who knows what happens if the facemask call negates the Goedert fumble?
Week 10 Bird In The Doghouse, Commanders @ Eagles
In an ugly effort, multiple birds belong in the doghouse tonight. The offensive and defensive units get “bird in the doghouse” honors.
The Eagles’ offense showed the ability to move the ball and even had success running on Washington late, but turnovers were a killer.
- Three fumbles by Eagles pass catchers ultimately sealed the Eagles’ fate.
- Dallas Goedert, Quez Watkins, and Devonta Smith fumbled in key drives that could have resulted in points.
- A Jalen Hurts pass intended for AJ Brown was also picked off, which Brown catches 9 out of 10 times.
- A facemask call should have negated the Dallas Goedert fumble and tacked on 15 yards, but the officials missed it.
Jonathan Gannon’s defense is also worthy of “bird in the doghouse.”
- Don’t get me wrong, the second half was much better, and they only allowed 6 points.
- They got multiple stops and two turnovers.
The first half, however, was damaging. They allowed the Washington offense to eat up the clock and dominate the time of possession. They allowed Washington to rush for 152 yards and two rushing touchdowns collectively. Darius Slay had a tough time with Terry McLaurin, who ended the night with eight receptions for 128 receiving yards.
Week 11 Hungry Dog Prediction, Eagles @ Colts
Even though playing an inferior team on the road would spell a “trap game,” there are areas of opportunity for success in Indianapolis for the Eagles. This Colts team is heavily flawed, specifically in coaching, and struggling in nearly every category on the offensive side of the ball.
Although they were able to win with interim coach Jeff Saturday on Sunday against the Raiders, it was the Raiders. The Eagles are the best team in the league, and Saturday’s plan will have to be stronger.
- The Colts are the third-worst offensive team in the league, scoring 15.7 points per game and averaging 325 yards per game, good for the bottom half of the league.
- Despite having a talent like Jonathan Taylor at running back, the Colts are the 5th worst team in the league in rushing.
- They’re a middle-of-the-league passing team at 226 yards per game and are second in the league at sacks given up with 36.
- Matt Ryan has thrown ten touchdowns and nine interceptions and has been the picture of inconsistency.
My hungry dog prediction for the Eagles @ Colts is a collective pick, and that is the Eagles’ defense.
- This will be the best game for Hargrave, Sweat, and the Eagles’ defensive line.
They’ll be able to get pressure with four and without blitzing. The Colts have talent in their wide receiver group, but Bradberry and Slay have faced tougher competition. They’ll make that group miserable, and the Colts’ offense will become one-dimensional. If I were Jonathan Gannon, I’d stack the box for Jonathan Taylor and let the Eagles’ defensive backs do their thing.
This is the perfect game to test new strategies and a great opportunity for a bounceback game after a tough loss.
Week 11 Bird In The Doghouse Prediction, Eagles @ Colts
Even though the Colts are a bottom-of-the-league team in rushing, Jonathan Taylor is a threat for the Colts. He’s explosive and can break a big run at any time, and that can be scary. A running back of that caliber can grind down a game, and losing time of possession could be lethal.
The injury to Jordan Davis has been hard on the Eagles’ run defense.
- Dameon Pierce rushed for 139 yards and averaged 5 yards per carry in week nine against the Eagles.
- Collectively, the Steelers rushed for 144 yards against the Eagles in week nine.
This slightly conflicts with what was mentioned above, but if the Eagles struggle in this game, it will be because of their run defense, my bird in the doghouse prediction for this week. If they do not stack the box or have a strategy for Jonathan Taylor in Jordan Davis’ absence, the Eagles could fall into the “trap.” This game honestly screams, “the Eagles win, but Jonathan Taylor still managed to rush for 100 yards or more.”
They’ll need a general answer in that run defense as Aaron Jones, Derrick Henry, and Saquon Barkley loom after this matchup.
This loss was frustrating, with a lack of execution, bad refereeing, and flat-out sloppiness. There’s no debate. Being a person of perspective, I’d like to offer some.
We knew the Eagles would lose a game eventually, and maybe the players can relax now. They don’t have to hear about their “perfect season.” This feels like the Seattle game in 2017, and with a leader like Jalen Hurts, this team will stay on track.
- Who would be your hungry dog and doghouse dud picks for the Eagles’ game against the Commanders?
- Who would you pick going into the week 11 matchup against the Colts?
