The Eagles fell to 2-2 after surrendering a ten-point fourth-quarter lead in a 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The concern extends beyond one missed opportunity or one questionable decision. Philadelphia finished with 172 total yards, 68 net passing yards and an 0-for-12 performance on third down.
Jalen Hurts completed 12 of 27 passes for 93 yards, a 44.4 percent completion rate, and averaged just 3.44 yards per attempt. His two touchdown passes and zero interceptions offer little comfort when the passing game generated so little movement. After subtracting 25 yards lost on sacks, the Eagles finished with 68 net passing yards.
Pressure exposed the entire offense
Responsibility runs through the entire offense. Hurts has to recognize pressure, make the correct read and deliver accurately. The offensive line has to sort out protection. Receivers have to create separation and finish plays. Nick Sirianni and his staff have to put the available players in positions where those responsibilities can be executed.
There were real personnel problems. DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert were unavailable because of injuries, Lane Johnson missed the game for personal reasons, and Saquon Barkley exited early with a hamstring injury. Those absences made the assignment harder. The Eagles still needed a dependable way to move the football.
Rams Wire reported that Chris Shula’s defense blitzed Hurts on eight of his nine third-down dropbacks, an 89 percent rate, citing charting by theScore. Philadelphia’s inability to answer that pressure raises questions about protection, the passing plan and quarterback execution together.
Two chances to protect the lead
The most frustrating part is that the Eagles had opportunities to finish the game.
Leading 20-10, Philadelphia reached third-and-goal from the Rams’ 2-yard line. Hurts was stopped on a designed keeper, then threw incomplete on fourth-and-goal with 7:31 remaining. The possession produced nothing. A successful field goal would have stretched the lead to 23-10. With the offense struggling to sustain drives, I would have leaned toward taking those points.
Philadelphia still led by ten until Los Angeles scored with 3:59 left. On the Eagles’ next possession, they gained one yard and went three-and-out. The Rams got another opportunity and drove for the winning touchdown. Philadelphia was scoreless throughout the second half.
London brings immediate division pressure
Now the Eagles face the 3-1 Jaguars in London on October 11. If Jacksonville wins while New York and Dallas win their Week 5 games, Philadelphia would be 2-3, behind a 4-1 Giants team and a 3-2 Cowboys team. Dallas hosts Tampa Bay on Thursday, while New York visits Washington on Sunday. Those outcomes remain predictions, but the potential standings pressure is clear.
Philadelphia’s division rivals have shown enough scoring potential to make its offensive struggles more urgent. Dallas has scored at least 31 points in three straight games. Jameis Winston threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ latest victory, although he also threw two interceptions. Washington showed its own scoring potential in Week 3, beating defending champion Seattle 33-31 on September 27 with Marcus Mariota throwing three touchdown passes and the defense contributing a pick-six.
Carolina brings another difficult assignment immediately after London. The Panthers will be coming off their bye, and Bryce Young just threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-26 win over Detroit. Philadelphia then faces Dallas, Washington and New York in three consecutive division games before its Week 10 break.
The S³ forecast: 5-4 at the bye
My S³ prediction is 5-4 at the bye:
| Week | Opponent | Location | S³ pick | Projected Eagles record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Jaguars | London | Loss | 2-3 |
| 6 | Panthers | Philadelphia | Win | 3-3 |
| 7 | Cowboys | Philadelphia | Loss | 3-4 |
| 8 | Commanders | Washington | Win | 4-4 |
| 9 | Giants | Philadelphia | Win | 5-4 |
That forecast requires improvement. It gives Philadelphia three wins over its next five games, including two division victories and consecutive wins entering the bye. The offense shown against the Rams makes every one of those projected wins uncertain.
The response has to come from everyone
After the break, the Eagles host Pittsburgh on November 22 and visit Dallas on Thanksgiving, November 26. The four-day turnaround makes it essential to use the bye well.
Philadelphia needs to arrive at that break with an offense that can convert third downs, finish scoring opportunities and protect a lead through sustained possessions. Sunday exposed failures across that operation. The response has to come from everyone involved.
