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How Will The Philadelphia Eagles Screw Up Today?

By Matt Giraldi

Oct 16, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson looks on from the sidelines against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson looks on from the sidelines against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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In his first year as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Doug Pederson has had some ups and downs. While the Eagles are still exceeding expectations, the inability to win close games has created a permanent film of dermatitis, leaving fans scratching their head again and again.

When the Philadelphia Eagles hired Doug Pederson this off-season, did we really think we’d be getting a true disciple of Andy Reid? Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory has been the Eagles’ MO this season due to a variety of reasons. There’s plenty of blame to go around. While players ultimately have to make plays, the coaches need to put them in position to make those plays.

Sure, you can blame the loss to the Detroit Lions on Ryan Mathews‘ fumble. The defense couldn’t get off the field against the Washington Redskins and the Eagles committed 13 penalties for 114 yards. Carson Wentz throwing interceptions on the first two drives surely didn’t help against the New York Giants. Furthermore, the defense never gave the offense a chance in overtime against the Dallas Cowboys.

Next: Bennie Logan's Return Is Huge For The Eagles Defense

The decisions made by Pederson have been just as devastating as the players too. Take the loss against the Cowboys for instance. Sitting at the 30 yard line nursing a seven point lead with 7:17 left in the game, a decision to throw to Darren Sproles took the team out of field goal range.  Last week the Eagles failed to convert two fourth down conversions in field goal range.

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What does today have in store? Perhaps Pederson will have Wentz take a knee at the 30 yard line with two minutes left in the first half with all three timeouts in his back-pocket.

Will Jim Schwartz leave a corner on an island against Julio Jones? How will the defense contain Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman? The return of Bennie Logan should see a vast improvement for the run defense. Therefore it should be no surprise to see the defense allow 300 rushing yards today.

The situation I’m most fearful today for is on third downs. The proverbial rock and hard place are going to run roughshod on our fans today. The Falcons are currently converting 41.6% of third downs on offense (10th), while allowing opponents to convert 45.0% on third down (28th). The Eagles are limiting opponents to just 37.4% (10th) while converting just 32.7% (31st). If you wanted a situation where this team screws the pooch, this probably will be it. It’s just difficult to predict whether it will be the offense or the defense.

We’ve been saying that this team is facing a “must-win game” for the past three weeks. They’ve answered the call just one time in that span. So here we are again. The Eagles are one of four teams in the NFL that have not lost at home. Their point differential of 57 is third in the NFL, and just 11 points higher than the Falcons. Good teams win close games and bad teams don’t. Can the Eagles win today? Yes. Will they? That’s the true unknown. I personally believe the Eagles are team that’s close to being good. Unfortunately close only works in horseshoes, hand grenades, and farts. Should this team put up another stinker, close will end up closing the doors on any playoff hopes.

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