The Philadelphia Eagles didn't come out ready to play in their Week 3 tilt against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. The Eagles lost 27-7 and looked bad in certain areas. Going forward, the Eagles need to play better, and this loss put them in the spotlight.
The Eagles have the Los Angeles Rams coming to town in Week 4, and in order to come away with a win, we'll discuss where Philadelphia needs to play better.
1. Offense needs to start quick
The Eagles have Sean Mannion running the ship offensively, but things haven't been off to the best start. After three weeks, they are the only team in the league without any points in the first quarter. Not only are they struggling to move the ball, but there are times when the unit looks completely flat.
In the loss to the Bears, they had three straight three-and-outs in the third quarter when they still had a chance in the contest, scoring zero points in the quarter. Meanwhile, in the first two weeks, Philadelphia scored a combined six points in the third quarter.
So they aren't scoring in the first or third quarter, which is unacceptable and can't be something that continues. Jalen Hurts and company need to find a way to sustain drives and get points on the board. The first quarter will be huge against the Rams. They need to find a way to string together some scoring drives and put up some points early and often.
2. Run game must find consistency
For the second straight week, the Eagles' run game has left a lot to be desired. Being able to dominate on the ground is how Philadelphia has crafted its offenses in the past, but this season, they haven't found the same success.
In Week 2 against the Titans, they had 89 total rushing yards. Saquon Barkley was knocked out with a stinger, but no one else stepped up. Then, in the loss to the Bears, Philadelphia had 107 rushing yards, yet the bulk came in the first half. Barkley had 11 carries for 73 yards (6.6 yards per carry) over the first two quarters. For the rest of the game, he had just four carries for nine yards.
After finding room on outside zone runs in the first half, they couldn't replicate it as the game went on, limiting how effective the offense could be. In order to get this offense firing on all cylinders, the ground game needs to be more successful. The better Barkley is, the better the offense will be.
3. Find a way to generate pressure and create turnovers
Following Week 3, the Eagles' pass rush has been nonexistent. Philadelphia is tied for 29th in team sacks (3), with only two sacks coming from the defensive line (Jalen Carter/Nolan Smith each have one). While it was nice to see Jonathan Greenard make his season debut, the Eagles' front four HAS to play better.
Allowing the opposing quarterback to stand upright and pick apart the secondary isn't a path to success. They need to find a way to disrupt plays and force the quarterback into some bad decisions/errant throws.
Not only does that front four need to play better, but everyone on that side of the ball needs to find a way to create a turnover. For the first time in team history, the Eagles haven't recorded a takeaway in the first three games.
Considering that they have committed five turnovers thus far this year, they must find a way to force the other team into some mistakes. Creating pressure can help snap this streak, and at the same time, it's up to everyone to make sure they take the ball away.
4. Jihaad Campbell and Andrew Mukuba have to step it up
Philadelphia used its first two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on linebacker Jihaad Campbell and safety Andrew Mukuba. While they flashed at times last season, both guys have gotten off to terrible starts in 2026.
Campbell has been ineffective in pass coverage. According to Jeff Kerr of Eagles on SI, Campbell has given up 10 of 12 targets for 128 yards and a touchdown as the primary defender. He's also allowed a 138.9 passer rating. He's consistently been fooled by play-action passes, as he bites down, opening up passing windows.
As for Mukuba, he's looked lost out there on several occasions. It looks like he's not playing with confidence, which is constantly putting him in bad positions. Not only is he out of position in coverage, but he's missing plenty of tackles in the open field.
Read more: Jalen Hurts deserves very little blame for Eagles' debacle in Week 3
Campbell is tasked with replacing Nakobe Dean, and Mukuba's role is larger after Reed Blankenship's departure. Philadelphia believed in these two young guys, but they haven't answered the call. The Eagles need them to flip the switch and do it fast.
Add us as a preferred source on Google