Eagles' Slide Accelerates as Run Defense Emerges as Main Issue
The Philadelphia Eagles' season has hit a snag, and it's starting to look like the same old problems are resurfacing. Following their 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears on Black Friday, the Birds now find themselves in a precarious position, trailing their NFC playoff opponents by just one game.
While many of the Eagles' woes were evident long before this weekend's matchup, Friday's debacle has made it painfully clear that run defense is at the forefront of the team's concerns. The Eagles were thoroughly steamrolled by the Bears' rushing attack, with Darnell Mooney and De'Andre Swift combining for 88 yards in the first half alone – a staggering performance considering Saquon Barkley's second-most rushing yards this season.
The Eagles' inability to contain the run was on full display throughout the game. Their usually stalwart defensive line struggled to make an impact, with none of their key players able to assert dominance over the Bears' backs. The result was a dismal 282-yard rushing performance by Chicago, a number that's simply unbecoming for a team boasting such high-end talent.
It's not just the sheer yards allowed that are concerning, however – it's also the way in which the Eagles' defenders seemed to fall apart on the field. There were moments where they appeared to be gassed and struggling to maintain their assignments, leaving holes for the Bears to exploit time and again. This is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed, particularly as the Eagles prepare to face the Chargers next.
While Jalen Hurts showed flashes of brilliance throughout the game – including a remarkable 33-yard touchdown catch from AJ Brown in the third quarter – it was clear that the offense's problems run much deeper than just Hurts' accuracy or the QB's ability to execute plays. The Bears' defense, for one, made several key adjustments that helped neutralize the Eagles' passing attack and funnel their attempts through narrow windows.
For now, the Eagles are at a crossroads. They have three games on the horizon against teams with losing records in December, which could provide an opportunity for them to right the ship. But make no mistake – if they don't figure out their run defense soon, it's likely that this season will devolve into a repeat of last year's implosion. The question is: what's going to be done to address these issues before it's too late?
The Philadelphia Eagles' season has hit a snag, and it's starting to look like the same old problems are resurfacing. Following their 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears on Black Friday, the Birds now find themselves in a precarious position, trailing their NFC playoff opponents by just one game.
While many of the Eagles' woes were evident long before this weekend's matchup, Friday's debacle has made it painfully clear that run defense is at the forefront of the team's concerns. The Eagles were thoroughly steamrolled by the Bears' rushing attack, with Darnell Mooney and De'Andre Swift combining for 88 yards in the first half alone – a staggering performance considering Saquon Barkley's second-most rushing yards this season.
The Eagles' inability to contain the run was on full display throughout the game. Their usually stalwart defensive line struggled to make an impact, with none of their key players able to assert dominance over the Bears' backs. The result was a dismal 282-yard rushing performance by Chicago, a number that's simply unbecoming for a team boasting such high-end talent.
It's not just the sheer yards allowed that are concerning, however – it's also the way in which the Eagles' defenders seemed to fall apart on the field. There were moments where they appeared to be gassed and struggling to maintain their assignments, leaving holes for the Bears to exploit time and again. This is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed, particularly as the Eagles prepare to face the Chargers next.
While Jalen Hurts showed flashes of brilliance throughout the game – including a remarkable 33-yard touchdown catch from AJ Brown in the third quarter – it was clear that the offense's problems run much deeper than just Hurts' accuracy or the QB's ability to execute plays. The Bears' defense, for one, made several key adjustments that helped neutralize the Eagles' passing attack and funnel their attempts through narrow windows.
For now, the Eagles are at a crossroads. They have three games on the horizon against teams with losing records in December, which could provide an opportunity for them to right the ship. But make no mistake – if they don't figure out their run defense soon, it's likely that this season will devolve into a repeat of last year's implosion. The question is: what's going to be done to address these issues before it's too late?
And don't even get me started on the RB situation - it feels like they're trying to run too many options out of the backfield, making them predictable and easy to defend against 
. I mean, 282 yards allowed by a team with decent talent? That's just embarrassing 
. They need to get their D-line back on track ASAP or this season is gonna be a wash. And what's up with Jalen Hurts relying too much on AJ Brown for that one catch 
. The offense can't even trust its own QB right now. This is where they gotta step it up and figure out their run defense problems before it's too late 
.
. they need to figure out how to stop those running backs or else its gonna be a long road ahead for them. and yeah, jalen hurts had some good moments but you cant just rely on one guy to carry the team 
. what's worrying me is that they have 3 games left against teams with losing records in december... if they dont make some changes ASAP, it'll be like last year all over again 
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. They need to find a way to shore up this hole before it's too late or else they're gonna get left in the dust 
. Can't wait to see what the coaching staff comes up with next 
. I mean, Darnell Mooney was lit out there though! That Bears rushing attack looked almost unstoppable 
. And Jalen Hurts is trying his best, but he can't do it all alone... hope they figure out what's going on soon or it'll be a long December 
. Run defense, in particular, has always been a weak point for them. It's not like they're getting destroyed by elite running backs or anything, it's just that their O-line isn't doing its job and their LBs are getting pushed around 
. And don't even get me started on the D-line – I mean, where is Javon Hargrave when you need him? 
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they need 2 fig out de run defense ASAP or we might see a repeat of last yrs tankin season 
meanwhile jalen hurts is doin his thang but it's not enough if de whole team can't step up 
i'm keepin an eye on dem tho, maybe dey'll turn dis around 
maybe they need to go with a new scheme or something but seriously, 282 yards rushing is just embarrassing 
I gotta say, the Eagles' slide is pretty predictable. They always seem to find ways to struggle with their run defense, and this season is no exception. I mean, 282 yards rushing against the Bears? That's just embarrassing for a team with such high-end talent. And it's not just the yardage that's the problem – it's the way they got blown up on the field. They looked gassed and couldn't even make their assignments. It's like they forgot how to tackle or something 
. The question is, are the Eagles gonna make some serious changes or just keep sticking to the same old playbook? They need to wake up and realize that run defense is the real deal-breaker this season...
Chargers game is gonna be intense now, hope they get their act together before it's too late 
or else it's gonna be another long year 
of frustration for the fans 
. Their defense was straight whack out there, especially against the run. I mean, 282 yards on the ground is just embarrassing for a team with all those talent pieces 
. They gotta find a way to tackle and stop the run, 'cause if they don't, this season's gonna be over 
️. if they don't figure out how to protect jalen or create some holes for saquon, this season is gonna be a long one