Inside the Iggles
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Now Is Not The Time For Eagles Fans To Give Up

By Matt Giraldi

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The parking lot outside Lincoln Financial Field as fans tailgate with the Philadelphia skyline in the background before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The parking lot outside Lincoln Financial Field as fans tailgate with the Philadelphia skyline in the background before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Over the past five weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles have lost four games by a total of 36 points to teams with a combined record of 31-13-1. With their season on the brink of irrelevancy as they face the Cincinnati Bengals, there is still a chance at the postseason.

Lloyd Christmas summed it up quite succinctly: So you’re telling me there’s a chance. Well Eagles fans, there’s a chance. It’s a long shot given the tie-breakers. They will need immediate help beyond their control starting this weekend. When has this city or fanbase ever given up though? If anything, it appears we are among the most stubborn group of people on Earth.

It’s why despite a 5-6 record and the third worst conference record in the NFC, there’s still perpetual hope. The Eagles no longer control their own destiny, but can do a lot for their cause by winning against the Bengals. Today, the Eagles get to face the Bengals minus their number one offensive weapon, A.J. Green. The Bengals are also missing Giovani Bernard. The task ahead seems rather simple right?

Pressure Andy Dalton and force him into errant throws. Maybe if the Eagles treat this game as a playoff game, Dalton and head coach Marvin Lewis will also treat it as a playoff game and end us losing the game on his own. Being .500 after 12 games is an accomplishment. Being two games under .500 after 12 games is Jeff Fisher. Nobody wants to be (cat)Fisher(ed).

Perhaps that’s why Fletcher Cox has received a free pass. Last Monday night Cox committed his third personal foul penalty that ultimately resulted in an opposing touchdown. All three penalties were committed on third down plays that did not pick up the first down. Cox makes over $100 million though. He’s not allowed to be criticized, even by Pro Football Focus.

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Through the first three games of the regular season, Carson Wentz threw five touchdowns with zero interceptions. Since the Week 4 bye, Wentz has six touchdowns with eight interceptions. Wentz has thrown for 250 or more yards just twice in that time span.

The Eagles have under-performed in the red zone on offense.  Zach Ertz has as many red zone targets as Trey Burton. Nelson Agholor leads the team with 12 red zone targets, four more than Jordan Matthews. Perhaps play-calling is not Doug Pederson‘s strong suit.

Challenges don’t appear to be his forte either. Pederson is 2-5 in challenges, with each successful challenge resulting in a whopping three yards of field position. Perhaps the Andy Reid pedigree runs deeper than we all wanted to believe.

Alas, the Bengals defense, Lewis’ strong point, has gained unbelievable respectability over the last three weeks. Over the last three weeks (all losses), the Bengals have not allowed an opposing quarterback to throw for more than 265 yards. Cincinnati has not allowed a 300 yard passer since Week 2. While Matthews appears doubtful to play, the question is how productive his counterparts can be. Any limitation to the number one receiver on the Eagles will result in the same stagnant offense we saw last Monday night.

Where is Paul Turner, Bryce Treggs, or Ertz? Malcolm Jenkins says he isn’t here to rebuild apparently. He’s also not here to contribute towards a winning environment. Maybe he should be sent packing before Week 17 concludes. What good is he doing this season?

Now isn’t the time for pessimism. Now is when good teams go on elongated runs. The 2011 New York Giants were 6-6 before winning seven of their last eight games. If the Eagles managed to clean up their act on just a few of these penalties, does anyone else not think they could win out?

Sure, the supporting cast on offense stinks worse than Amy Schumer’s comedy. Maybe the defense cannot stop anyone between the 20 yard lines. As long as there’s a fighting chance left in this team I won’t quit supporting them. There’s plenty of time wallowing in misery during the offseason. I can drink until I cannot feel feelings if the Cowboys advance far into the playoffs. Is there a better feeling than having a few cold ones when the Eagles are playing in January? Nope.

A chip and a chair is hard to rely on now that the Eagles got rid of Chip Kelly. The phrase holds relevance due to the mediocrity…I mean parity…in the modern NFL. The Eagles took the best shots on the jaw from the Cowboys and Giants and still nearly won in enemy territory. This is not as far-fetched as one might believe. It starts today. In the event the Eagles lose today, I’ll be deflated. I’ll wish there was a reset button. What I won’t do is give up. As long as there is a mathematical way for this team to make the playoffs, we need to believe. It nearly worked in 2008, and it surely can work eight years later.

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