Eagles snap count breakdown: Injuries, inefficiency tell the tale vs. Buccaneers

In the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4, the team fell to 2-2, leaving fans and analysts with more questions about head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts.

The Eagles were without key offensive contributors, including A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson, which played a significant role in their struggles on the field. Hurts was sacked six times, and the offense never found its rhythm, particularly in the passing game.

The defense, meanwhile, allowed over 30 points for the second consecutive week, continuing a troubling trend as the Eagles head into their much-needed bye week.

The heat in Tampa Bay, with a feels-like temperature exceeding 100 degrees, certainly played a role in the defense's overall difficulty, but several missed tackles and breakdowns in coverage were equally damaging.

The running backs

Saquon Barkley, the lead back for most of the game, saw his snap count limited to 32, especially as the game got out of reach in the fourth quarter. Kenny Gainwell recorded 25 snaps while mopping up the blowout loss.

Will Shipley, a rookie running back, played just one offensive snap, and Ben VanSumeren (linebacker) made a brief appearance on offense in a fullback role, logging a single snap as well.

Wide Receivers

At wide receiver, Jahan Dotson played 49 snaps, the highest among the Eagles' wideouts, but he had only two catches for 11 yards on four targets. Parris Campbell was just behind him with 48 snaps, hauling in four catches for 17 yards and the Eagles' lone receiving touchdown of the game.

Johnny Wilson and John Ross were present but far quieter, with Wilson playing 32 snaps and failing to register a catch on two targets, while Ross played just 12 snaps and had one catch for six yards. Dallas Goedert was seemingly the only reliable receiving option with 7 catches for 62 yards on 8 targets.

The offensive line

The offensive line saw some shuffling due to injuries. Cam Jurgens missed seven snaps due to cramps, forcing Landon Dickerson to slide over to center and bringing Tyler Steen in at left guard.

The offensive line scrambled as Hurts was under constant pressure, leading to six sacks and a lackluster offensive showing overall.

The secondary and linebackers

On defense, the Eagles' secondary was heavily tested. Rookie Quinyon Mitchell was the only defensive player to play all 77 snaps, a testament to his durability and growing role in the defense. Mitchell recorded six tackles and had a pass breakup in the end zone, preventing a touchdown to Mike Evans.

Avonte Maddox, playing 69 snaps, struggled in coverage, giving up five receptions on eight targets and missing a key tackle on a Chris Godwin swing pass.

Nakobe Dean was on the field for 75 of 77 snaps but had a rough outing, missing five tackles, the most on the team. Zack Baun, the other linebacker, played 71 snaps, while Jeremiah Trotter Jr. made a brief appearance with three snaps late in the game.

Defensive Line

The defensive line rotation saw Jalen Carter lead the way with 52 snaps. Despite briefly leaving the game with cramps, Carter and Jordan Davis (37 snaps) combined for just one tackle against a Buccaneers offensive line that controlled the trenches. Milton Williams and Moro Ojomo also contributed with 30 and 37 snaps, respectively, but had little impact on the game.

At edge, Josh Sweat played 41 snaps and recorded a sack, while Bryce Huff (33 snaps), Brandon Graham (32 snaps), and Nolan Smith (31 snaps) rotated heavily. Jalyx Hunt got five snaps, playing mostly as the game wound down.

Final thoughts

The Birds’ Week 4 game highlighted a team dealing with injuries, miscommunication, and poor execution. The absence of key players like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson clearly hampered the offense, while defensive struggles, particularly in tackling and coverage, allowed Tampa Bay to take control of the game.

The bye week offers a chance for the Eagles to regroup, get healthier, and figure out how to address their lingering issues before the second half of the season kicks into gear. The 2024 season is still young, but if the Eagles hope to make a playoff run, they’ll need to resolve these problems quickly.