OC Kevin Patullo sees progress while Eagles’ problems persist
Narrative about offense is getting old
From the Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/yc24keka
PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles’ offense found some rhythm Monday night — then kept tripping over it. Promising drives were derailed by penalties, turnovers and stalled finishes, turning flashes of production into frustration in an overtime loss to the Chargers.
That’s the tightrope the Eagles are walking during this short week as they aim to snap their three-game spiral when the lowly Raiders (2-11) come to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday.
The Birds (8-5) have an offense that can occasionally move the ball and look functional for quarters at a time, then commits self-sabotage in a blink. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who has been under a microscope all season, didn’t sugarcoat what it feels like when good drives don’t end in six.
“It’s really frustrating because obviously red zone-wise, we’ve been one of the best teams in the league,” Patullo said Thursday. “So it’s frustrating when that happens. When you have good drives and you get it going and then you just can’t capitalize on it with a touchdown. … When we get down in there, we want to score touchdowns. That’s the name of the business for us on offense.”
Not only didn’t the Eagles capitalize in the red zone, there were seven drives inside the Los Angeles 40 when they failed to score. Their only touchdown came on Saquon Barkley’s 52-yard run on a variation of the tush push.
Philadelphia entered Week 14 leading the league in red-zone touchdown rate, a strange flex for an offense that has scuffled in most other areas. And even in a loss drenched in mistakes, there were signs of an identity trying to reappear, particularly with Barkley’s big night on the ground.
Left tackle Jordan Mailata said the run game’s recent tweaks can’t be a one-week fling. The Eagles need to commit.
“We had some run concepts out of those new formations and some of the sprinkles that we did to keep the defense guessing, and I think that surprise element helped us a lot in the run game,” Mailata said. “I think this week, just try to complement off the new stuff that we added, adding in some new runs and keep the defense guessing this week.”
Patullo made it clear the goal isn’t to chase a pass-attempt number like it’s some magic curse, especially in an overtime game with extra snaps and situational throws. But the fact is, Jalen Hurts threw 40 times — such high-range numbers don’t usually bode well for him — while the Birds got away from the run late in regulation and in OT.
“I don’t think when you just look at numbers, that’s really a thing,” Patullo said. “If it gets over those kinds of numbers, if a quarterback’s throwing a ton, why is it? Is it situational ball? … I don’t think it’s a real stat that you really need to look at too much.”
It’s not as if the Eagles were trailing by three scores late and had to toss the ball around the yard. It was a tight game throughout, and the ground attack was working. (Penalties on early downs obviously didn’t help.) Plus, there must be reasons behind Hurts’ inefficiency when he has to throw a lot. It’s not a new phenomenon for him.
Patullo insisted the quarterback isn’t reeling, even after a career-worst turnover night, echoing what the QB said a day earlier.
“Yeah, I don’t think he changes from week to week, day to day, game to game,” Patullo said. “He’s awesome. I mean, we were in meetings today, he was awesome. The dialogue was awesome with the installs and everything, walkthrough, he was into it. … He’s dialed in at all times. You never have to worry about that.”
Hurts’ public message has been consistent, too — own it, then move forward.
“Success or greatness, those things aren’t linear,” Hurts said. “You have your ups, you have your downs, but it’s about how you respond to it.”
A defense that keeps answering — and needs help
While the offense has searched for clean football, the defense has had a habit of dragging games into the deep water anyway, keeping the Birds afloat, treading water and battling. Philadelphia sacked Justin Herbert seven times and hit him 11 — and still walked off with a loss.
In last February’s dominant Super Bowl victory, the Eagles sacked Patrick Mahomes six times and hit him 11. The difference was, the offense held up its end of the bargain.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio pointed to reinforcements and development up front as reasons the pass rush has come alive lately, even with injuries and shuffling.
“Bringing J.P. (OLB Jaelan Phillips) in has helped, obviously,” Fangio said Thursday. “As we alluded to earlier, Jordan’s improved (DT Jordan Davis). We’re getting into some more third-and-longer stuff. … So, I just think it’s a little bit of everything, not one thing.”
With safety Marcus Epps making his defensive debut this season after coming off injured reserve, Fangio said there was no easing-in period.
“I thought he went in there and did a nice job for us,” Fangio said. “Operated well within the scheme, made some good plays. I was very pleased.”
And with Jalen Carter out, Fangio credited Byron Young for stepping into the void.
“I thought B.Y. had a good game, too,” Fangio said. “He answered the bell when we needed it and we’re going to continue to need to get that from him moving forward.”
Defensive end Jalyx Hunt also seems to be breaking through this season. He had eight tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Lane Johnson update
Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson (foot) likely will miss another week, according to Jeff McLane of The Inquirer. It’s not exactly a surprise, considering he hasn’t practiced. But as bad as the Raiders are, they can be dangerous up front, led by EDGE Maxx Crosby. Backup RT Fred Johnson could have his hands full.
Practice report
Thursday: DNP – DT Jalen Carter (shoulders), LG Landon Dickerson (calf/rest), RT Lane Johnson (foot). LIMITED – T Fred Johnson (ankle). FULL – LB Zack Baun (hand), LS Charley Hughlett (abdomen), T Cameron Williams (shoulder).
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.