Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …
ESPN Insider Says Not to Rule Out Nick Sirianni Firing if Eagles Lose to Bucs – ESPN
Dan Graziano from ESPN’s Get Up had this to say about the rumors Nick Sirianni could be fired: “I don’t think you should rule it out because I think if the organization decides it’s gotten bad there, you know, inside the building culturally, all that kind of thing. I think they’ve shown in the past that they’re not afraid to move on. Doug Pederson was just two years removed from winning the Super Bowl, which no other coach in the history of the organization has ever done, and they got rid of him because of the way that season ended. So, I think it’s worth keeping an eye on if things go very badly for them Monday night in Tampa and you’re looking at the last two months and going this is not it.”
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is “taking a more active interest in football operations. What that means for Nick Sirianni’s future is still too early to tell.” — @Jeff_McLane on his @Audacy podcast Uncovering The Birds pic.twitter.com/nyIg5LcC5T— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) January 12, 2024
Eagles Film Review: Depressing defense – BGN
The Giants watched the Cardinals game last week. If you play 12 personnel against this Eagles’ team they often go to a 5-man front. Then all you have to do is motion a receiver across the formation to show 2 receivers on one side, and you will get one of the Eagles’ edge rushers to drop into coverage. This is a great example of the Giants’ offense using the Eagles’ defensive rules against them. My very simple solution to this: stop playing 5-man fronts. Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat can’t play in coverage. Throw all the 5-man front stuff out of the playbook for the rest of the season. If Matt Patricia wants edge defenders who drop into coverage, he needs to realize that he doesn’t have the personnel right now.
Eye on the Enemy #165: Differences in the two teams since Week 3 + discussing Baker Mayfield’s unexpected season – BGN Radio
Establish the Fun: 3 critical NFL Playoffs matchups that will determine Wild Card Weekend – SB Nation
If you haven’t been paying attention, the Eagles defense has been very, very bad. Since Matt Patricia took over for a demoted Sean Desai, the Eagles are 26th in the NFL in Success Rate and 29th in EPA/play. Where they’ve been especially weak is up the spine of the defense: the linebackers and safeties. Since Patricia took over, the Eagles are fourth in the NFL in Yards per Coverage Snap allowed and 11th in Positive Play Rate allowed when teams target their linebackers, slot defenders or safeties. Combine that with an expanding injury list, and this Eagles team is one that can get got by a QB who simply does not care. Enter, Baker Mayfield.
The Bucs QB has undergone a career revival with offensive coordinator Dave Canales, and where the Bucs QB has done his damage the most is over the middle of the field, attacking weak linebackers and secondaries. Mayfield is eighth in EPA on all passes over the middle of the field and has thrown 17 TD passes in that area. Being in the McVay system has helped him in this area, and that play has translated to Tampa under Canales.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Philadelphia Eagles: Wild Card Preview – Bucs Nation
The Bucs’ game plan in this one needs to revolve around Rachaad White. He struggled in the first meeting between these teams, but this is a different Bucs team than they were in week three. The Bucs have struggled along the interior of the offensive line the last couple weeks and the Eagles have some fantastic interior defensemen. To counter that, Baker is going to need to get the ball out of his hands quickly and no one on the Bucs is better suited to catch those short, quick passes then make plays with their legs than Rachaad White.
Neutralizing that pass rush and taking advantage of the space Philly gives up underneath will lead to long, sustained drives for the Bucs that will not only result in points, but will keep their defense fresh – while simultaneously wearing out the Eagles defense and opening up things down the field later in the game. The Eagles are allowing over 30 points per game over the last six weeks, so there will be points to score if the Bucs can just keep Baker on his feet.
NFL wild-card playoff game-plan keys: How every team can win – ESPN+
How the Buccaneers can beat the Eagles. Tampa Bay should be targeting the deficiencies of the Eagles’ pass defense, which surrendered 252.7 passing yards per game during the regular season, second most in the league. Scheme matters, but this is also about the defensive personnel deficiencies that Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield can expose. On the perimeter, Tampa Bay can isolate wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin against cornerback James Bradberry. On the tape, Bradberry’s play speed has declined, and this will create opportunities at the second and third levels. Plus, Mayfield will have opportunities to work the middle of the field against linebackers who have limitations in coverage — which also brings running back Rachaad White into the mix as a receiver. I expect Mayfield to play with an aggressive throwing mentality.
Strengths, weaknesses for all 14 NFL playoff teams – PFF
Weakness: Late-Down Defense. The Eagles’ defense has struggled to get off the field when given the opportunity this season. They’ve seen the sixth-most plays run against them, due largely to being incapable of stopping teams on third and fourth downs. Philadelphia has allowed a 48.1% conversion rate and 20 touchdowns on such downs, ranking last in both categories.
Eagles at Buccaneers: Five matchups to watch, when the Bucs have the ball – PhillyVoice
3) Bucs TE Cade Otton vs. the Eagles’ linebackers and safeties. Otton was a Bucs fourth-round pick in 2022 who is starting to make an impact in the passing game. He has 6 receptions of 20+ yards in their last 9 games. For reference, Dallas Goedert has 6 catches for 20+ yards on the entire season.
Again, the Eagles’ linebackers have generally been overmatched in coverage, and it doesn’t help that they have been lost since the staff made the switch from Desai to Patricia. Also, at safety, Sydney Brown’s season is over and Reed Blankenship has a groin injury. There’s a decent chance the Eagles will be starting Kevin Byard and Tristin McCollum on the back end.
NFL Wild-Card Picks Against the Spread – The Ringer
How I see it: This is a tough one to pick, given the injury situations on both sides. Hurts is dealing with a finger injury and was a limited practice participant on Thursday. Brown hurt his knee in Week 18, and he didn’t practice at all on Thursday.
Mayfield, meanwhile, is dealing with ankle and rib injuries and did not practice on Thursday. Other than Troy Aikman complaining about how he once again got stuck calling a game with such little juice, I’m not sure of anything in this matchup. But I keep coming back to the Eagles defense.
They can’t rush the passer. They can’t stop the run. They can’t cover. They’re taking direction from Matt Patricia. And everyone seems generally confused about what they’re supposed to be doing. Maybe they create a couple of turnovers and the Eagles offense and special teams lead the way. But I just can’t take this team as road favorites after what my eyes have seen in recent weeks.
How the 1986 Jets can give the 2023 Eagles a reason for hope – NBCSP
Those 1986 Jets and these 2023 Eagles — two teams separated by nearly four decades — are the only teams in NFL history to open a…
