By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
After Sunday's loss to the Giants, again by less than one score, again to a division rival, 3-0 never seemed so far away. That's what losses in four of five games will get you.
In the five weeks since the bye week, the Eagles have gone from a team turning heads on their way to competing for a division title to middle-of-the-pack team that is less likely to make a playoff run by the week and will be focusing on the offseason instead of the postseason.
The reason for that is because of several glaring areas of need, four in particular. Here's a look at those areas of need.
Offensive Line
The need for a fresh offensive line is about the same as the next position we'll address, but it is listed first because of the area where it should be addressed. This is where the Eagles should turn their draft focus in the offseason.
The Eagles didn't have a second-round pick in the 2016 Draft, and therefore had to wait until Round 3 to even address the position. Isaac Seumalo has barely seen the field. Halapoulivaati Vaitai, a fifth-round selection, has been improving, but needs more seasoning.
But that's the least of the Eagles worries on the line. They need Lane Johnson to stay out of trouble. They need Allen Barbre to keep progressing as he has this season. But after that, then what?
Matt Tobin isn't starter quality. Jason Peters is on the downslope of his career. Jason Kelce has been a huge disappointment after a Pro Bowl season two years ago. That's center and left tackle, two crucial positions to the line. Johnson will likely slide over to left tackle, but the Eagles will need a center.
Wide Receiver
The task for the Eagles this offseason is to find a receiver that can actually spread the field in whatever way possible. Draft another receiver. Look in free agency. It doesn't matter. The Eagles need a deep threat that can spread the field and then to surround that target with receivers who can secure the ball.
The problem with drafting a wide receiver is the number of misses the Eagles have had lately. Jordan Matthews is a solid wide receiver, definitely a suitable No. 2 on an NFL team. But the drops are always in a crucial spot. The misreads are always when it matters most. The Eagles traded up in the second round to get Matthews in 2014.
Nelson Agholor has really never amounted to what his potential seemed when he was drafted in the first round in 2015. The Eagles are trying to feed him the ball more, trying to find where he fits in the offense. But it just doesn't seem to be working. He's not going to rise to No. 1 status and the Eagles won't reach the pinnacle of success with a bunch of No. 2 and 3 receivers on the field.
Josh Huff was a third-round pick in 2014 as well. Again, a receiver that seemed to have potential for a mid-round pick that never showed it in the passing game and ultimately an off-the-field mistake cost him his roster spot in Philadelphia.
The Eagles finally got someone to open up the field a bit with Bryce Treggs, but that's too little too late and Treggs isn't exactly the most fearsome receiver in the game.
It's an area of necessity for the Eagles. In order to make any progress and watch Carson Wentz grow as a quarterback, they need to give him weapons.
Running Back
The Eagles selected Wendell Smallwood in the fifth round of the 2016 Draft, but that's not where an impact back will be found. Again, the avenue here is to either use a high pick on a running back — which at this point would be better served for offensive line or wide receiver — or look in free agency for someone else.
The reason this has become a growing concern is because of Ryan Mathews. Darren Sproles is now the No. 1 back for the Eagles, but doesn't have the ideal size or skill set to be a top back. He's been the perfect compliment for the screen game and a great fit on special teams, but Sproles, at 33, is no longer a lead back. Mathews has been a disappointment with his health and this season with his lack of usage, so if the Eagles are going to move on, it will have to be with someone completely new to the team beyond this season.
Cornerback
The Eagles secondary got a boost with the addition of Rodney McLeod, which gives them two quality safeties. But beyond that, the secondary remains a mess, particularly at cornerback.
There is potential from Jalen Mills, the seventh-round pick who has been given starter duties many times already this season. Nolan Carroll has also been solid at times, but again is not quite consistent enough to be a top corner.
The Eagles biggest problem is the constant mistakes in free agency. This year, it's Leodis McKelvin. Last year, it was Byron Maxwell. In past years, it's been Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers–Cromartie and Cary Williams. The Eagles have missed on all of them.
What they need to do is draft a blue-chip corner and mold him. The problem is that with all of the needs they have, they won't be able to spend a first-round pick on cornerback and still get an instant starter for the offensive line or a franchise wide receiver.
It just goes to show the amount of work to be done for the Eagles to truly see the roster transform into a contending team.
