Story by
Eagles most to blame for stunning playoff loss to 49ers
- Story by
- Eagles most to blame for stunning playoff loss to 49ers
Eagles most to blame for stunning playoff loss to 49ers appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Philadelphia Eagles lost to the San Francisco 49ers 23-19 on Sunday, ending their repeat hopes. While it was an up-and-down season in South Philly, the Birds gave themselves a chance at home to start a championship defense. They failed in the fourth quarter, allowing a game-winning touchdown to Christian McCaffrey and failing to score afterward. Nick Sirianni is among those most to blame for the Eagles' loss.
Advertisement
Many fingers will also be pointed at Kevin Patullo, the oft-blamed offensive coordinator . If the Eagles do move on from Patullo, it will be their fourth offensive play-caller in as many seasons. While Kellen Moore and Shane Steichen ended up as head coaches, Brian Johnson was fired after the dismal 2023 campaign. Another Wild Card loss could mean another change there. But the blame should go much deeper.
Nick Sirianni creates drama, blows timeouts
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
One reason to blame Nick Sirianni for Sunday's loss is something that Eagles fans may love about him. Sirianni is far from quiet on the sideline, something that endears him to the far from quiet Philadelphia faithful. But when AJ Brown came off the field after a drop, television cameras found Sirianni running down the sideline to yell at the wide receiver. Brown snapped back, causing a viral clip .
But Eagles fans can take the distractions when they come during wins. Sirianni burned the first timeout of the second half before the 4th down attempt that ended Philadelphia's season. Had he not done that, the 49ers would have needed to get a first down to end the game. Instead, they could kneel it out and take the win.
Advertisement
Sirianni has two Super Bowl appearances and a championship under his belt, something few men in history can say. But performances like Sunday are why Eagles fans will call for his job once every year.
AJ Brown is not blameless, is Eagles tenure over?
The Eagles won last year's Super Bowl in part because of their elite wide receiver duo. On paper, both Brown and DeVonta Smith had over 1,000 yards , so all should be good in that department. But the season-long drama around Brown has things on thin ice in South Philly. A few years after trading a first-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for Brown, could Howie Roseman send the wideout back out the door?
The assembled media was certainly going to ask Brown a version of that question on Sunday afternoon. But after dropping a key third down on the final drive, Brown skipped out on the media. He reportedly hugged multiple teammates before leaving without saying a word about his future.
Advertisement
The Eagles got great performances out of Brown, including a touchdown in Super Bowl LIX. But the drama may have taken over the greatness on Sunday with the screaming match on the sideline and the postgame antics. The NFL Draft will be the place to park all Brown trade talks, just as it was back in 2022.
The Eagles will have a lot of questions hanging over their heads this offseason. Why did their offensive line get so much worse? What is the long-term future of Lane Johnson , considering the Lisfranc injury that ended his season in Week 11? Are Sirianni and Hurts the right pairing moving forward? But all of that will take a back seat to Brown, who could be the best player traded this offseason.
The 49ers are headed to Seattle for a third matchup with the division rival Seahawks . The Eagles are headed home short of the Super Bowl once again.
Related: Eagles HC Nick Sirianni to evaluate Kevin Patullo, rest of staff after crushing loss
Related: The 3rd down drop problem that plagued Eagles in loss to 49ers
