To say this has been an interesting and eventful few days with the Eagles would be an understatement.
Anonymous quotes, failed guarantees, two released veterans, one brutal loss to the Dallas Cowboys and a scathing takedown of the team from a former player. The result? There has been more talk about off-the-field distractions than actual football, a less-than-ideal reality for a team sitting at 3-4.
The good news is that the Eagles can make it all go away with a win on Sunday in Buffalo against the Bills.
The bad news? This team has not looked like one capable of beating anyone, let alone a team sitting at 5-1.
Here are some final thoughts before kickoff:
Pivotal game: This really feels like a pivotal moment in the Eagles' season. If they get blown out again like they have the last two weeks there is reason to be really concerned this season could be heading towards a disaster instead of the playoffs. The Eagles have all the motivation they need to come out and play the best game they have this season — the distractions, the two-straight losses, the drama caused by Orlando Scandrick. The Bills are a good team but this is a game the Eagles should be competitive in. This is a real gut-check moment for the 2019 Eagles.
Bills find ways to win, Eagles don't: There is a real argument to be made that the Eagles have way more talent on their roster than the Bills do. They also arguably have the better quarterback and head coach. So why are the Bills 5-1 and the Eagles 3-4? Part of it is schedule, but part of it is also that the Eagles have consistently found ways to lose games while the Bills find ways to win them. If this game is close, it is hard to imagine the Bills making crucial mistake that costs them the game — but it is very possible the Eagles will.
Malcolm's Leadership: There has been plenty of debate over the last two days about how valid Orlando Scandrick's comments were and how much they should be believed. The comments were mostly things we knew, but the things Scandrick had to say about safety Malcolm Jenkins were surprising. Scandrick was Jenkins' teammate, so he has been in meetings, practices and games with him. His comments do not match with what I have come to know about Jenkins in my time covering him, however. Jenkins is not a perfect player or teammate, but neither is any other player in the league. There is a reason Jenkins is voted a captain each season and why he is the one who breaks down the huddle each week before the game. Jenkins is a natural leader and this season has been arguably the best player on the defense. The Eagles have plenty of issues — Jenkins is not one of them.
Stopping the run: Buffalo is one of the best rushing teams in the NFL, entering Sunday seventh in the NFL in rushing yards-per-game and eighth in average yards-per-carry. The Bills feel confident running the ball against any team, but they will likely feel especially confident going into Sunday. There is a good chance that at one point on Sunday the Eagles will line up with a front-seven of Vinny Curry, Albert Huggins, Anthony Rush, Josh Sweat, Nate Gerry, T.J. Edwards and Kamu Grugier-Hill. Stopping the run could be an issue, to say the least, on Sunday for the Eagles.
Kick the ball: Last week in Dallas, head coach Doug Pederson won the coin toss and decided to take the ball — a decision that went against what he believes in and was a reactionary move to the slow starts. It is hard to completely blame Pederson for trying to kick-start the offense, but the move backfired as the Eagles still fell behind 14-0. The reality is that the only way the Eagles will avoid a slow start is if they come out and play well, and who gets the ball first doesn't really matter. If Pederson wins the toss on Sunday he should stick to what he believes in and defer.
Third-straight road game: Even a great team would have trouble winning a game that is their third-straight on the road. Not only will the Eagles be battling a solid Bills team, but having to go on the road into Buffalo right now — given everything that is going on and how desperately they need a win — is far from ideal.
Eagles are predictable: Each week, after everyone watches the Eagles play, it is clear how flawed they are. They have only played two impressive halves of football so far this season in seven games. Still, by the time the next kickoff rolls around the following week, usually fans have talked themselves into the team not being that bad. It is easy to see why, considering the franchise is viewed as one of the best in the NFL and is just two years removed from a Super Bowl.
The reality is, however, that we all know the most likely outcome on Sunday — they will fall behind early, struggle to score in the first half and let up big plays on defense. That has been what this team has done to start games for over a year. Maybe the Bills let them back in the game, but it would be surprising if we see anything but the usual from this team to start the game on Sunday.
The offense: Every part of the Eagles' franchise deserves blame right now for the team's season already being in danger. Only one part, however, can save it — and that is the offense. The Eagles have an offensive head coach, a quarterback they paid franchise-money to and a general manager that has invested heavily in the offense. Add in that the league is built for offenses to succeed and there is no excuse for the Eagles to be averaging only 15.6 points-per-game over the last three weeks. The defense might be able to win the game for them on Sunday, but if this team plans on making a run to the playoffs, the offense will need to lead the way.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
