Eagles

Eagles Evaluation: Birds Blow Lead Over Titans in Overtime Loss

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Paul Bowman
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Paul Bowman Sports Editor

Penn State Great Valley MBA, Penn State Berks Undergrad, Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor, IT Service Manager. I joined Sports Talk Philly in 2017 and root for all the Philly teams (as well as their minor league counter parts).

All posts by Paul Bowman
Sports Editor

Published04 Oct 2018

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By Gia Lanci, Sports Talk Philly Staff Eagles Evaluation: Birds Blow Lead Over Titans in Overtime Loss

The offensive line was weak, giving Wentz no protection. The secondary needs a lot of work. Doug Pederson made safe calls, which was out of character. They had the lead, lost it and were too late to come back. There were players who had great plays, unfortunately the players who had bad plays and mistakes, ruined the game for everyone.

Below are my drive by drive analyses:

First Quarter

Drive One (Defense)

  • After a touchback, the Titans started off with energy. A short pass was thrown to gain 13-yards for the Titans. There was a lack of blocking by the defensive line. Kamu Grugier-Hill stayed with Titans rusher, Derrick Henry, and executed the tackle. The Titans tried a run play that gets further than expected against the Eagles strong run defense to get 7 yards.
  • Marcus Mariota threw a deep 28-yard pass to receiver, Corey Davis, who beat out Jalen Mills on the run. Corey Graham read Mariota’s eyes and came up to assist Mills on the tackle. The execution of this play brought the Titans into field goal position.
  • The defensive line forced the Titans offense to try for a field goal, putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback.

Drive Two (Offense)

  • Carson Wentz started off this drive with a deep throw to Nelson Agholor that wound up being incomplete. Agholor was being covered by two defenders, and Wentz missed Zach Ertz who was a wide open receiver.
  • A 17-yard pass to a wide open Zach Ertz. The offensive line gave Wentz enough time to read, and pass the ball.
  • Jay Ajayi back after missing a week with recurring back issues, had a great run right through the middle for a 10-yard gain.
  • The offensive line was unable to protect their quarterback, forcing not only an incomplete pass but also allowing Wentz to get hit hard. After that, the blitz easily comes right through the middle to sack Wentz. Once again, the offensive line, Lane Johnson especially, was unable to protect Carson. This forced the punt.

Drive Three (Defense)

  • After the touchback, a deep pass was thrown for 25 yards. Michael Bennett was unable to get to Mariota in time. The pass was complete because of blown coverage by Malcolm Jenkins and Ronald Darby. This gave the Titans good momentum to start their second drive.
  • Michael Bennett put excellent pressure on the quarterback to force an incomplete pass. He wasn’t going to let it happen again after the last play.
  • Bennett came through the line to make a sack for a five-yard loss and force a punt.

Drive Four (Offense)

  • A pass was thrown to a wide open Ertz, which was well executed for a first down. This was great for the Eagles momentum to start off this drive.
  • The momentum would have affected this drive until Carson Wentz got sacked quickly because of the lack of protection once again. Zach Ertz missed his block, causing the offense to lose nine yards.
  • The offense could not execute on this drive with two incomplete passes, forcing the Eagles to punt.

Drive Five (Defense)

  • The defense stopped the Titans in the first few plays of this drive. Ronald Darby had great coverage on the receiver. With the Eagles run defense being so strong, Mariota attempted throws – completing three in this drive. When the Titans attempted to run, they got nowhere with the defense holding them back.

Second Quarter

Drive Six (Offense)

  • The Eagles started at their own five-yard line. Jay Ajayi had a nice gain to start off the drive, staying on his feet for extra yards.
  • A pass to Alshon Jeffery for 31-yards, which was his first catch of the year coming off a shoulder injury, netted a huge first down. He was heavily contested by the defenders and it was a great job by Carson with good placement on the throw.
  • Carson was looking for Nelson Agholor. He threw an incomplete pass. The offensive line gave Carson plenty of time to throw. Carson might take too long to throw in these situations.
  • This drive ended abruptly when Jason Peters missed his block resulting in Wentz getting hit again with heavy pressure coming his way. Luckily, he threw it away quick enough.
  • Cameron Johnston had a good punt, putting the Titans inside the 11-yard line.

Drive Seven (Defense)

  • The Titans began with a run that went right through the defenders with a mis-tackle by Ronald Darby coming from the secondary and not completing the job.
  • Sidney Jones had good coverage to force an incomplete pass, and cause the Titans to punt.

Drive Eight (Offense)

  • The offense was unable to get a first down the first few plays. That is until, Wendell Smallwood was handed the ball to rush for a first down and more. He did a great job getting those extra yards.
  • A deep 56-yard pass went to Jordan Matthews – his first touchdown back as a Bird. He beats out his defender to catch a great placed pass by Wentz. Of course, Carson and Jordan did their signature handshake as the celebration.

Drive Nine (Defense)

  • The defense was reciprocating the positive energy from the offense and started this drive off with sacking Mariota. The sack was made by Derek Barnett. It pushed the Titans back seven-yards.
  • The defense held the Titans and didn’t let them get a first down.

Drive 10 (Offense)

  • The Eagles had a good starting position until a personal foul was committed by Sidney Jones on the return, pushing the Eagles back.
  • Pederson and the Birds made a few passes gaining yards in this drive. Wentz threw complete passes to Ertz, Jeffrey, and Aiken to move them forward. The time was running out and the Eagles needed to score here to end the first half on a good note.
  • With only a little over a minute left on the clock, the offensive line allowed the blitz to come right through the middle and sack Wentz. The lack of protection once again comes from Lane Johnson in addition to Wendell Smallwood. They stood there and watched Carson get sacked by the defensive line.
  • The offense could not execute, forcing a punt. The offense really should’ve scored a touchdown here or at least gotten close enough for a field goal. They needed to keep their momentum going, but they just could not.

Drive 11 (Defense)

Drive 12 (Offense)

  • Carson threw a short pass to Ertz, who caught it and ran for a few more yards. Then there was an incomplete pass intended for Jay Ajayi in the endzone. The offensive line gave Carson plenty of time to execute the passes. The Titans held the Eagles, forcing them to attempt a field goal, which was good, to end the first half.

Third Quarter

Drive 13 (Offense)

  • The third quarter was underway. After a touchback, a pass was thrown to Alshon Jeffery. Then it was handed off to Jay Ajayi for a good carry followed by a pass to Zach Ertz, who kept the momentum moving down the field for a gain of 24-yards.
  • Jay Ajayi carried the ball nicely for a gain of 18 yards, just staying in bounds. This would’ve given the Eagles a really nice field position to keep their momentum. They were instead pushed back because of a holding foul on Jason Peters to make it first and 20.
  • As they made good movement down field, a pass was thrown to Jeffery, who was being covered but made a great catch.
  • They approached the red zone, but they were pushed back when there was a penalty on Brandon Brooks for holding. In the next play, there was another foul on the offense for holding made by Kamar Aiken.
  • A 16-yard touchdown pass was caught by Alshon Jeffery. He did a great job of getting open and making sure his feet were in.

Drive 14 (Defense)

  • The Titans, in this drive, only ran the ball three times. Once they had no gain and the other they only ran for three yards. The Eagles run defense was doing what they needed to do.
  • Marcus Mariota had plenty of time to pass since the defensive line was unable to get to him. He then threw a pass which was intended for Davis. Jalen Mills was charged with a pass interference, getting the Titans closer to the end zone.
  • The defense did well with coverage in the secondary on the next play, causing Mariota to run in a touchdown himself, responding to the Eagles touchdown. He had no other option but to run since the secondary’s coverage was strong.

Drive Fifteen (Offense)

  • After a touchback, Carson was forced to scramble and run it himself because of the pressure the defense put on him.
  • The third quarter was winding down, so Ajayi rushed for another play, gaining 12-yards. He is such a reliable source to have for the offense. He always makes a play when he has the ball.

Fourth Quarter

Drive 15 (Continued – Offense)

  • Not a great start to the fourth quarter. Carson Wentz got sacked quickly. The coverage was blown by Lane Johnson, Brandon Brooks, and Jay Ajayi.
  • Carson Wentz again gets sacked and fumbles the ball and it is turned over to the Titans. The offensive line is really struggling to protect their quarterback.

Drive 16 (Defense)

  • Malcolm Jenkins had two crucial tackles early on in this drive. He was not going to allow the offense to run by him easily.
  • Mariota ran and avoided the contact by the defense on fourth and one-yard. The defense allowed him to convert.
  • The defense stopped the Titans and forced them to attempt a field goal which was made, making it a four point game.

Drive 17 (Offense)

  • The drive for the offense was quick. They were unable to execute. Incomplete passes and runs for no gain caused the punt.

Drive 18 (Defense)

  • Jalen Mills was unable to stay on his man and blew his coverage. Mariota threw a 51-yard pass on the inside. Because of the lack of coverage, it gave Mariota and the Titans excellent field position to score a touchdown.
  • A pass was thrown to Sharpe for a touchdown, giving the Titans the lead.

Drive 19 (Offense)

  • The Eagles had another quick drive since they were unable to execute. They had a lot of pressure because they were losing. They were at least able to get a first down with a pass to Wendell Smallwood.

Drive 20 (Defense)

  • The defense stepped up and kept the Titans back. Bradham brought the pressure and tackled Mariota when he ran the ball. On third down with three yards to go, the defensive line held them. It was a major defensive stop for the Eagles.

Drive 21 (Offense)

  • DeAndre Carter received the ball and had a great run for a gain of 42 yards, putting the Eagles in a great starting position at Tennessee’s 39-yard line, with under two minutes left on the clock.
  • Doug Pederson made some safe calls on this drive, which is out of character for him. The game could’ve ended differently if he was not so safe.
  • The offense executed passes to safe and trustworthy players in Ertz, Jeffrey and Smallwood. This moved the Eagles into field goal position. The Titans held them to only that. The Eagles tied the game to force the game into overtime.

Overtime

Drive 22 (Offense)

  • The Eagles started with the ball. They got first down after first down. With great carries by Jay Ajayi and Wendell Smallwood getting more yards after contact. Those are the players that helped keep the momentum up with efficient plays to keep moving forward.
  • They were within the 20-yard line and Wentz was unable to complete a pass. On third down with 12 yards to go, the Eagles attempted a field goal which was good.

Drive 23 (Defense)

  • The Titans were trailing by three, and needed a touchdown to win the game.
  • After a touchback, Mariota once again ran the ball. He was looking for someone to throw to, but the defense did an excellent job with covering their men.
  • It wasn’t looking good for the Titans when Mariota threw three incomplete passes in a row and the offense committed a penalty. Malcolm Jenkins had great coverage forcing an incomplete pass.
  • A 19-yard pass kept the Titans moving. Blown coverage by Corey Graham, who is filling in for Rodney Mcleod who is out because of a torn MCL, allowed the Titans to convert a ridiculous fourth and 15.
  • The game could’ve ended on fourth down, when the Titans could not complete the pass. However, Sidney Jones committed a pass interference, giving the Titans an automatic first down.
  • The Titans were in field goal position preparing to go for it when they change their minds and put the offense back on the field. They decided to attempt the fourth down conversion and they executed it.
  • A pass is thrown to Corey Davis, who beat out Maddox and caught the ball for a touchdown, and a Titans win in overtime.

Offensive MVP

Zach Ertz is the most reliable weapon the offense has. Whenever he gets the ball he makes a play out of it. When the offense needs to create momentum, he is the go to for Carson. After he catches the ball, he will make a play out of it. Not only is he who Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson trust, but the fans trust him to get the job done as well.

Defensive MVP

Michael Bennett was consistently putting pressure on the quarterback in this game. Since Mariota is so athletic and can be so quick, it is important to have as much pressure on him as possible. Michael Bennet sacked him for a loss of 5 yards. He was crucial in the beginning of the game in holding the Titans back.

Game Notes

  • There are many things the Eagles need to work on as a team in preparation for the Vikings game.
  • The secondary needs to work on their coverage. There were so many completed passes by the Titans that could’ve been easily stopped with decent coverage from the secondary.
  • The offensive line needs to give protection to Carson. Although he will never admit it, he needs the protection and shouldn’t have gotten hit as many times as he did. Half of the time Carson got hit or sacked, they were standing there watching him get tackled. It is unacceptable.
  • There were some players who played exceptional. It is unfortunate that the players who made mistakes or just played lazy ruined it for the whole team. There were too many simple mistakes and blown coverages to win the game.