5 Takeaways As The Eagles Stumble Into Week 3

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The start to the 2020 National Football League season has not been kind to the Philadelphia Eagles.

After a devastating loss in Week 1, during which they blew an early 17-0 lead to Washington and were unable to score in the second half, the Eagles returned home to Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday for their home opener.

It was played before an empty stadium in south Philadelphia, as fans are still not allowed into NFL games in Philadelphia (though that could change later in the season). Still, the homecoming was not what the Birds imagined it could be, as the Rams took control of play from the opening drive. They beat the Eagles 37-19.

Here's an overview of the last two weeks and what needs to change for the Birds to get in the win column in Week 3 and moving forward.

Interceptions

In Week 1 Carson Wentz was sacked a stunning eight times by Washington, as the holes in the shorthanded Eagles offensive line — missing key components — were exposed. He also threw two interceptions.

In Week 2, Wentz wasn't sacked at all. However, he threw two more interceptions, marking the first time in his career he's even thrown two interceptions in back to back games. Since 2017, he's never thrown more than seven interceptions in an entire season.

So this is a trajectory the Eagles and Wentz need to reverse, and quick.

On Sunday, the interceptions changed the momentum of the game, as turnovers so often do. One of them came on an unsteady red zone pass into the endzone intended for JJ Arcega-Whiteside. Two Rams quickly inserted themselves between the football and Arcega-Whiteside, with Darious Williams making the pick.

It was a good play by Williams, but it was a slip the Eagles could not afford against one of the NFC'S best offenses. That came early in the second half, with the Eagles only trailing 21-16. The game slowly slipped away from there.

Not capitalizing on superstar performances

In his season debut, offensive tackle Lane Johnson was a big part of ensuring Wentz wasn't hit the way he was in Week 1 in Washington. Just weeks removed from ankle surgery, Johnson was dominant Sunday, protecting Wentz keeping the pressure off him in dramatic fashion as compared to Week 1.

Johnson and the rest of the offensive line also helped Miles Sanders lead all backs in the game with 95 yards on 20 carries. Between Sanders and Johnson, the groundwork was laid for the Eagles to score a lot more than 19 points.

Stopping the passing attack

Rams quarterback Jared Goff decimated the Eagles defense, completing 20 of 27 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He threw no interceptions, and has not had a turnover yet this season through two weeks.

Goff also tore through (admittedly a different) Eagles defense the last time these teams met, in Dec. 2018. Though the Eagles won that game 30-23, Goff completed 35 of 53 attempts for 339 yards.

On Sunday, Goff and the Rams used a balanced attack which seemed to keep the Birds perpetually off balance.

The Los Angeles offense seemed to be a step ahead of the Birds, especially when it mattered the most.

Goff didn't miss a receiver until his 14th pass of the game, as LA leapt to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter.

Injuries and age

The 2019-20 season was one of absurd misfortune for the Birds, as every week they seemed to lose another key piece, another backup, another third stringer. It was unheralded players like Boston Scott that ultimately propelled them into the postseason, and now, with much of their strength restored heading into 2020, expectations are understandably higher than an 0-2 start.

Receiver Alshon Jeffery missed Week 2. They'll be without left guard Isaac Semalo into the foreseeable future due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Vinny Curry, Will Parks, Andre Dillard, Brandon Brooks, and Josh Perkins are among other injuries of note. Brooks, one of the game's best guards, is a particularly tough blow.

But the biggest concern for the Birds might not be the injuries they've suffered this year, it's the injuries that could be coming. With an average age of about 26, they're right around the middle of the NFL, but several key pieces are over 30. And the consistent string of muscular injuries over the past two calendar years is reason for concern moving forward.

Reasons for optimism

Nonetheless, Wentz, Sanders, Johnson, and Desean Jackson are now healthy, and the Birds have shown encouraging flashes in their opening two weeks. A better fourth quarter could have them at 1-1 right now, and a loss to the Rams, a team that was 13-3 just two years ago, is not something to be ashamed of.

The Eagles will host the 0-2 Cincinnati Bengals at home in Philadelphia next Sunday, at 1 p.m., for a chance to turn their season around. They currently sit at the bottom of the NFC East at 0-2.

For the Birds, the good news is that the New York Giants are also 0-2, and Washington and Dallas are 1-1. And none of their rivals have looked particularly unbeatable thus far.