Philadelphia Eagles Upset In First Home Game: Trouble Brewing?
The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t playing like a team many expected to dominate the NFL this season. Instead, the NFC East team is currently 0-2 and lacking the bite shown in pre-season play. Their standing came courtesy of what FanSided called an “embarrassing” 20-10 loss to a determined Dallas Cowboys side.
While there’s still plenty of time for the Eagles to live up to the early assumptions of greatness, what the Eagles have demonstrated doesn’t bode well for their long-term aims, particularly when faced with truly formidable opponents.
Chip Kelly and the Eagles are still looking for their first win after losing 20-10 to the @Cowboys #FNIA pic.twitter.com/o28ncPjQdK
— #SEAvsGB (@SNFonNBC) September 21, 2015
The Eagles struggled from beginning to end — and that’s putting it politely. Although Dallas was held to just two field goals in the first half, there wasn’t an answer from Philadelphia for most of the game. In fact, the Eagles didn’t score a single point until the 4th quarter. Their only touchdown of the game came too late to be much of a threat to the visiting team. It’s amazing given all the factors supposedly in Philadelphia’s favor.
First, home team advantage. Sure, Philadelphia fans are known to boo their own team. And yes, the Philly fans were streaming out of the stadium by the end of the third quarter. However, being the home team, often referees are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to calls. Apparently, Dallas had at least 18 penalties called on them, costing them yards, and likewise moving an otherwise immobile Eagles team up the field.
The loss of Tony Romo after a vicious tackle should also have worked for Philadelphia. The veteran quarterback went out early in the 3rd quarter. It was later determined that he suffered a fractured left clavicle, and will be out for nearly two months. The loss of Romo came a week after Dez Bryant’s injury severely weakened the Cowboys offense.
As terrible as things were going for Dallas, it seemed beyond Philadelphia to capitalize. According to Bleacher Report, the Eagles rushed for negative two yards. Despite DeMarco Murray’s superstar status with the Cowboys, he’s off to a comparatively slow start at Philly. That frustration led to a bit of hostility during the game. In fact, it was an absolutely ugly affair, which isn’t surprising given the legendary Cowboys/Eagles rivalry. What is surprising is that for all the hostility from the Philadelphia team on the field, that energy didn’t translate into points.
Not what the @Eagles imagined in the off-season. #DALvsPHI pic.twitter.com/fd52xas6ri
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 20, 2015
The Dallas Cowboys will leave Philadelphia physically worse off. However, the Eagles may be the more psychologically damaged team given the disastrous start to their season. Last week, Philadelphia played the Atlanta Falcons away. It was a game that saw the Eagles trailing 20-3 at halftime. Although the Eagles threatened to make a comeback, they ultimately fizzled out with a 26-24 loss. Despite the disappointment, the Eagles looked far more dangerous in Atlanta than they did at home.
It’s possible that the Philadelphia Eagles can bounce back soon. They’ll certainly have to recover their lost momentum. What do you think of the Philadelphia Eagles so far? What can be done to turn them around? Share your thoughts below!
[Image Credit: Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images]
