Inside the Iggles
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Eagles: 5 Things we’d like to forget about 2016 (and can’t)

By Geoffrey Knox

Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor (17) is unable to make the catch after being interfered with by Washington Redskins cornerback Quinton Dunbar (47) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor (17) is unable to make the catch after being interfered with by Washington Redskins cornerback Quinton Dunbar (47) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) forces a turnover against Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews (24) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Lions win 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) forces a turnover against Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews (24) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Lions win 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The Ryan Mathews fumble in Detroit

It just feels like Ryan Mathews never had a shot to truly endear himself to Eagles fans. First, there was the unenviable task of trying to replace LeSean McCoy, a true fan favorite. There was the fact that everyone knew he was always in danger of a season-ending injury. We had heard stories about the problems with holding on to the football. All three of those issues were on display in 2016.

With basically no other options, Mathews was forced into the starting role in 2016. He battled injury all season before succumbing to one that would end his campaign (he’s still on the Eagles’ list of injured players by the way) to prove he could be “the guy”. It was almost as though you could hear fans hold their breath every time he engaged in contact or got up too slowly, but it was Mathews’ fumble in Detroit that, seemingly, swung the momentum that the Eagles worked an entire second half to gain back in the favor of the Detroit Lions.

The Lions would steal the game (one that was supposed to be one of the Eagles’ easy victories) in the fourth quarter. The Eagles dreams of a 4-0 start to the 2016 season died, and the team seemed to limp on from that point. Still, Philly’s implosion in Detroit would pale in comparison to their implosion three weeks later on national television.

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