The Eagles' Good, Bad & Ugly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — There was not much to like, much that needs to be seriously addressed (see penalties) and much to be concerned about after the Eagles' 27-20 loss to Washington at FedEx Field on Sunday.
The Good
Safety Malcolm Jenkins was the only thing the Eagles had going in the first half. Jenkins' 64-yard pick six tied the game at 14-14.
Running back Wendell Smallwood's 86-yard kickoff return kept the Eagles in the game with 7:37 left in the half.
Defensive end Marcus Smith caused the Jenkins interception by hurrying Washington's quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks tackle of Matt Jones for a minus-3 yards in the fourth quarter.
The Bad
Coach Doug Pederson's play calling. His decision to run a counter on a third-and-4 at the Washington 20 early in the fourth quarter showed little confidence in his offensive line.
The penalties. Last week it was 14 for 111 yards against Detroit. This week, it was actually the Eagles bumbling to get flagged 13 times for 114 yards.
Poor tackling. The Matt Jones bounced off Eagles like a basketball. No one wrapped. They seemed more content with making hits than performing the basics.
Tight end Zach Ertz drop on third-and-10 at the Washington 10 with 5:25 to play. Ertz could have easily scored a touchdown if he caught what was a very catchable pass. Instead, the Eagles had to settle for a Caleb Sturgis field goal with just over 5:00 to play.
The Ugly
Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox's roughing-the-passer penalty from the Eagles' 4 on third-and-goal with :20 left in the first half. Kirk Cousins pass sailed high over DeSean Jackson's head and it appeared as if Washington was going to have to settle for a field goal and a 17-14 halftime lead. Instead, Cox got flagged for flattening Cousins, even though it was debatable. Anyway, Washington took great advantage when Matt Jones outraced everyone with a 1-yard score.
The Eagles first-half offense was downright awful. Carson Wentz was all over the place, completing just 3 of 8 for 28 yards in the first half. The Eagles had more yards in penalties than they had in yards—with a season-low 41 yards of total offense in the first half against 50 yards in penalties.
The Eagles run defense did nothing, either. They permitted Washington to run for 126 yards in the first half, averaging 6.6 yards an attempt.
Rookie right offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai had his problems with Washington defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, who had 2½ sacks in the first half.
