Turnovers Will Prove Costly for the Philadelphia Eagles

By Tyler Buecher | Dec 4, 2014

Nov 16, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez (3) reacts after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Posting a 9-3 record with sole possession of first place in the NFC East, Philadelphia Eagles fans should be happy, right?

They should, but most Philadelphia fans yearn for more than a top spot in the NFC playoff standings. Credit head coach Chip Kelly with the significant work he’s done to date to turn this team around. He took a 4-12 team and took them to the playoffs last year with a 10-6 record. However, Philadelphia’s playoff team didn’t advance very far getting beaten at home by New Orleans by an invigorated Mark Ingram that repeatedly rushed for first downs.

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Kelly has followed up his 2013 season by positioning his team in first place and aspiring for more. He’s improved a defensive front that has allowed only one 100-yard rusher (Frank Gore), improved a lackadaisical pass rush (second in the league in sacks), and placed an emphasis on improving a special teams unit that has become one of the best in the league. Oh and not to mention Kelly stole two of the Saints most diverse playmakers in Darren Sproles and Malcolm Jenkins.

All of this has helped build a foundation that the team can build on, but there’s one fatal flaw that can, and most likely will, prevent this team from advancing any further in the playoffs this year.

Turnovers.

The Philadelphia Eagles are currently leading the league in turnovers.

The fact the Eagles were able to get to a 9-3 record despite leading the league with the most interceptions and the second most lost fumbles is astounding. Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Nick Foles have both struggled protecting the ball. Foles, sporting a touchdown to interception ratio of 13:10, had thrown picks in seven of the eight games he started. Sanchez isn’t fairing much better with a ratio of 8:6 while throwing interceptions in three of the five games he’s played.

The fumbles haven’t been any better as Philadelphia has coughed the ball up 12 times. There hasn’t been any one particular player that has struggled, but maintaining possession of the football has proven difficult for Philadelphia all year.

While the Eagles and their collective 28 turnovers have only resulted in three losses to date, it’s something Chip Kelly needs to remedy immediately. The 1978 San Francisco 49ers own the dubious honor of most turnovers in a season with 63. Thankfully the Eagles are nowhere near close to matching this feat with only four games left.

Chip needs to get his offense to refocus on ball security while emphasizing proper technique in securing the ball. Perhaps the Eagles are often moving too quickly between plays that it’s negating their attention to minor details. The speed of Kelly’s offense has been well documented to this point, but could this rapid succession of plays actually be deteriorating their effectiveness with this sloppy play?

Outside of the Eagles, there are four other teams sporting a 9-3 record. Curious where they rank in giving the ball away on turnovers?

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Winning teams do not turn the ball over. Philadelphia’s penchant for turning over the football must be corrected by the time they start playing these upper tier teams in the playoffs. Their special teams and defense have bailed them out time and time again, but this is not something that can be relied on for any amount of sustainability.

On the other side of the ball, Philadelphia’s defense has kept them alive in games as the Eagles are tied for fifth for the most takeaways with 22. While this may negate some of their own undisciplined play, nearly 70% of their takeaways have come from teams at or below .500. Only seven of their 22 takeaways have come from teams with winning records, and nearly half that total came from the Cowboys last week as they turned the ball over three times to the Eagles.

Many coaches have preached that in order to win football games, you need to win two out of the three phases of offense, defense, and special teams. Turnovers are a key aspect of winning any of these phases.

Winning the next two weeks at home will be huge for the Eagles. It will also be the first time the Eagles have gone undefeated at home since playing at Lincoln Financial Field beginning in 2003. The Eagles are a half game behind both the Packers and Cardinals after losing to both of them on the road, but would still need a little help from those teams losing in order to gain the top seed in the NFC.

However, gaining the top seed could end up being a fruitless acquisition if the Eagles continue turning over the football to the opposition. If they keep providing these gifts, another team will capitalize come January and send the Eagles home packing.

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