Overreactions after Eagles first loss that must be retired

There’s no need to sugarcoat what everyone saw in Week 10 on Monday Night Football. We’ve heard of total-team wins. The Philadelphia Eagles executed what we’ll call a total-team loss. Versus an inferior Washington Commanders team, nothing went right.

The Eagles were beaten in just about every facet of the game, if not all of them, yet somehow, because they’re so talented, they had an opportunity to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat more than once in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, things didn’t go their way.

As you might expect, despite this being a single loss, this game has evoked concern. Some are valid. There has also been a bit of overreaction. What can we say? Terms like ‘Negadelphia’ exist for a reason. Look at this as an attempt to restore some order and balance.

There’s no need to panic following the Eagles’ first loss of the season.

Guess what? The Eagles are human. At long last, they have lost for the first time since they were upended in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs last season.

Sure, we didn’t expect the implosion. The self-inflicted wounds make losing taste worse, but here’s what’s been forgotten almost immediately. This is still an 8-1 football team and the top-ranked team in the National Football Conference.

With that being said, we can throw a few theories out relatively quickly.

1. The Eagles walked into Week 10 overconfident.

We can mention several reasons why the Eagles lost in Week 10. The Eagles are awful on special teams. The Commanders won in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They won the turnover battle and dominated in time of possession.

Those are all valid reasons why Philadelphia lost on Monday Night Football. It is erroneous to state this team got overconfident. This may be the most detail-oriented and self-aware Eagles team that we have seen. They just happened to lose to an inferior opponent.

2. What’s wrong with Darius Slay?

Great players have off games. Darius Slay wasn’t at his best versus the Commanders, but he’d be the first to tell you that. Here’s some visual aid to drive the point home.

It happens. It wasn’t fun to watch, but it happens. Still, no one should lack any confidence in stating that he’ll bounce back because he will. Terry McLaurin can ball. Hats off to him for playing an exceptional game.

3. Jonathan Gannon must be fired immediately.

Now, coming from Inside The Iggles, this may sound strange. No one has been harder on Jonathan Gannon than we have. He makes us want to throw something at the television set sometimes, but firing the defensive coordinator nine games/ten weeks into the NFL season? Can we pump the breaks some?

As Les Bowen stated so eloquently stated, “I must have missed whatever it is (that) Washington’s offense has done that warrants playing this far off receivers”. Sure, J.G. can be maddening sometimes, but this loss doesn’t fall squarely on him or his unit. The blame needs to spread around to several areas here.

That doesn’t excuse the effort of the defensive unit. They were bad. Something must be done about how they are pushed around, but Jonathan Gannon isn’t lining up at defensive tackle or cornerback.

4. The Eagles were exposed, and everyone is going to run all over this team now.

Don’t read what hasn’t been written. Don’t hear what hasn’t been said. While Gannon’s unit has come through on several occasions. It’s completely understandable if you’re displeased with how they’ve been bullied in the running game and if you’re fearful that the trend might continue.

There are some easy fixes. Throwing another linebacker on the field when the opposing offense lines up with two or three tight ends is an idea. Getting some help from the Eagles’ offense is another. Let’s not act like they’re innocent in all of this.

Philadelphia ran the ball four times in the first half, and their last two possessions of the second quarter (seven plays total) ended with an interception and a punt. In total, they held the ball for a little over six minutes during the first two quarters.

Once they emerged from the locker room and a decision was made to rely on the ground game more, suddenly we saw some traction and a better defensive effort thanks to J.G.’s guys getting some rest.

After giving up 20 points in the first half, the Eagles held Washington to six points during the final two quarters. This occurred despite being on the field for over 40 minutes. You aren’t going to beat many teams when that happens.

Again, improvements must be made. There is no doubt about it, but a week ago, the discussions were about a possible undefeated regular season and James Bradberry and Darius Slay being the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. Now, there is talk that the Eagles will lose to the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers.

Calm down. That is the point here. We all knew that losses were possible. There is no reason not to trust this team’s coaches and their players. They will figure many of their issues out. The jury is out on the rushing defense, but if you’re under the impression that this team is no longer a factor, we would advise you to allow yourselves the latitude of resting a little easier.

Every NFL team is flawed in some manner. The Eagles are going to be okay.