Problems the Eagles need to fix before Week 2 game vs. Falcons on MNF

On any given Sunday, ANY TEAM can lose. How old were you the first time you heard that? How often have you seen the Philadelphia Eagles lose to a team they were better than?

The unpredictable nature of team sports is one of many reasons why we tune in, but let's be honest. This Eagles team is supposed to beat the Atlanta Falcons, right?

If the guys in green don't beat themselves, everything should be fine and go according to plan. Now, it may not be pretty. We expect ebbs and flows.

Similarly, we expected a roller-coaster ride in Week 1. We got one of those and then some, so don't be shocked if there are some tense moments

We expect Atlanta to give Philly their best shot, but the Eagles can save themselves some trouble if they don't repeat the same mistakes we saw in Week 1.

Philly doesn't need our advice, but we'll offer some anyway. There are a few things we have thought about since Friday.

Let's start with the center-quarterback exchange between Cam Jurgens and Jalen Hurts.

A Cam Jurgens snap to Jalen Hurts begins every play on offense. For the most part, things went smoothly in Week 1. But, when it didn't, the mistakes proved costly. A bad snap on the second drive led to an early turnover.

Another could have cost Philadelphia four points later on. It seems like the easiest of football endeavors, but it also shouldn't be taken for granted. Center and quarterback exchange... The Falcons are too good a team to give extra opportunities to by failing at executing fundamentals.

Can someone figure out how to motivate Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis?

Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are just as scary without their pads on as they are when they're wearing them. There's potential for some game-breaking play here.

Potential didn't lead to any pop in Week 1. They were among the lowest-rated Eagles defenders per Pro Football Focus. Both were first-round draft picks, so Philly is expecting a lot.

These two are going to have long careers here, but both have seen their conditioning and motivation questioned. If Vic Fangio is the genius everyone keeps giving him credit for being, we need him to motivate these guys and flip their 'on' switch.

Can someone other than Zack Baun generate a pass rush?

The Eagles tallied two sacks in Week 1 . Both were registered by Zack Baun. That's a good look for him, but that's bad or Philly's pass rush. Needless to say, that can't go on all season.

In Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, and Brandon Graham (the guys we expect to hold down this rotation), you'll find good players who all have a story to tell the grandchildren. There's an undrafted guy that worked his way into a fortune (Huff), two first-round draft choices (Smith and Graham), a 2021 Pro Bowler who was probably snubbed on another occasion (Sweat), and a team captain who is also a Super Bowl hero (Graham again).

In short, this is too talented of a unit to be blanked in the sack department. Kudos to Baun, but these guys have to be better. B.G. played more snaps than Huff and Smith in Week 1. That's a trend that we don't see continuing.

Saquon Barkley must be spelled in the running game.

The Eagles worked Saquon Barkley to death in Week 1. He saw 61 snaps. That was 80% of the team's total.

He sat out of a two-minute drill to close the second quarter, and some Birds fans were calling foul when it happened. Saquon returned for the second half and notched 109 yards and two rushing TDs on 24 carries.

He was also involved in the passing attack (two receptions, 23 yards receiving, and a TD reception). While we enjoyed watching, we must remember this is an 18-week, 17-game season.

It's hard to request he be taken out of games, but there has to be a balance. This is one of those guys you want healthy at the end of the season and during the playoffs.

Jalen Hurts is trying to do too much.

We kind of knew it would happen. Jalen Hurts' mistake-free training camp drew national attention until Darius Slay ended it. Most of us accurately predicted what would come next.

"Watch him throw an interception in Week 1." That's what we said. He complied by throwing one on Philly's first offensive drive. He'd throw another and also lose a fumble.

Three turnovers didn't cost Philly in Week 1, but no one needs reminding that isn't a recipe for success. He'll need to be more careful and judicious with the football.

Some say he's trying to 'do too much', that he's trying to live up to the new extension. The jury is out on that, but we can see where the argument might come from.

The first 45 games he played, he threw 19 interceptions. The last 18 games he's played, he's thrown 17 interceptions. This offense is potentially so good that the only thing that could hinder it is mistakes. Take care of the football Jalen! Everything else takes care of itself.

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