Eagles by the numbers: Reasons to both pass more – or just keeping running – against the Lions

[Better Bug]

Eagles' Record Speaks Louder Than Their Recent Wins, but Jalen Hurts Throws a Red Flag.

The Philadelphia Eagles' 7-2 record has raised eyebrows, and while their recent victories are undeniably impressive, the question remains – are they truly defending Super Bowl champions or just another team that got lucky?

Jalen Hurts' conservative play-calling in Monday night's win over the Packers, coupled with tight window throws, brought attention to this issue. Hurts' 16.6% tight window throw rate is not only higher than his career average but also ranks among top quarterbacks in the league, including Justin Fields and Dillon Gabriel. This highlights a concerning trend – the Eagles' offense seems too reliant on conserving yards rather than taking bold shots downfield.

On the other hand, running back Saquon Barkley's exceptional speed, demonstrated by 0.3 carries with speeds of at least 20 miles per hour, makes him an elite threat in the backfield. However, his playing time has been inconsistent this season, raising questions about the coaching staff's trust in him.

Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell's versatility is a silver lining for the Eagles' defense, having played both left and right cornerback with notable improvement in his pass coverage skills, averaging just 5.6 yards per target allowed. However, he may face a challenge against Lions speed threat Jameson Williams and volume receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on Sunday.

One area where the Eagles excel is in their ability to win against weaker opponents. Their 19-0 record against the Lions, including a playoff win in 1995, demonstrates their superiority over their division rivals. However, when facing stronger teams like the Packers and now the Lions, their performance drops into question mark territory.

The team's three-and-out rate is an alarming 8-8 record, which Deniz Selman attributes to "avoiding 3 & out rate" in a 25-year data set. This historical outlier highlights that, despite their impressive overall record, the Eagles' offense may be more of an anomaly rather than a sign of strength.

To truly prove themselves as Super Bowl contenders, the Eagles need to work on their third-down offense and give their top players more opportunities to shine. Otherwise, they risk being seen as just another talented team that got overhyped due to their record rather than their actual performance against strong opponents.

 

[Ashamed Alligator]

The eagle's record is looking pretty good, but it's all about the wins against the right teams, you know? I mean, 7-2 is a great start, but it's like they're waiting for someone else to drop the ball, instead of taking the fight to their opponents. Jalen Hurts' play-calling is just being too safe, and Saquon Barkley's playing time is all over the place... I'm not sure if he's still getting his legs under him yet .

On a more positive note, Quinyon Mitchell's versatility on defense is a nice thing to see. And 19-0 against the Lions in the past is some serious bragging rights . But when it comes down to it, they need to step up their game against the tougher opponents and show that this team is more than just hype .

I think what's scaring me a bit is how often they're putting up three-and-outs... 8-8 on third downs is no joke! They need to work on their offense, especially when it comes to taking risks downfield. Otherwise, people are gonna start questioning if this team really has what it takes

 

[Orbital]

I think the Eagles are doing alright this season but it's a bit weird how good they are when facing weaker teams and how bad they get when playing stronger ones . Like, if you're a top team like them, shouldn't you be able to win against any opponent? It feels like they only showed their true strength against the Lions and teams that aren't as tough. The coaches need to figure out why this is happening and make some changes so we can see a more consistent performance from them

 

[Arm]

I'm loving the Eagles' record right now, but there's something about it that doesn't quite add up . They're 7-2 and killing it in games they should be winning, like against the Lions for real , but then you look at their play-calling and it feels kinda... conservative? Like Jalen Hurts is playing not to lose rather than trying to take it to the house . And what's up with Saquon Barkley's playing time - he's one of the fastest RBs in the league, but not getting enough chances to make an impact . The defense is solid, don't get me wrong, but that 3-and-out rate is a major red flag . If they want to be real Super Bowl contenders, they need to start taking more risks and giving their top players the ball . Anything less and it's just gonna be "good team" vibes

 

[Tactical]

I think it's time for Jalen Hurts to take some bold shots downfield . Their 7-2 record is cool and all, but if they can't put up numbers against the top teams, then what does it really mean? Saquon Barkley is a beast when he's playing, so why not give him more touches in crucial games? And on defense, Quinyon Mitchell is looking solid, but they need to figure out how to shut down those speed threats. Their record against weaker opponents is impressive, but if they can't replicate that success against the good guys, then they're just a flash in the pan . The team needs to work on their third-down game and let Hurts take some more risks... otherwise, it's just gonna be "what if" .

 

[Sham]

I'm not buying into all this hype about the Eagles' 7-2 record ... don't get me wrong, they've had some solid wins, but those recent games against weaker teams are just that - weak opponents . I mean, anyone can beat a team that's still finding its footing. It's when you face top-tier teams that your true character is revealed . And let's be real, Jalen Hurts' play-calling is starting to sound like more of a safety net than a bold game plan . I need to see more aggression and creativity from him if I want to believe they're truly Super Bowl-bound .

 

[Underco]

I'm loving the Eagles' record so far, but it's making me wonder if they're actually for real or just getting lucky ️. Jalen Hurts' play-calling has been super conservative lately, and it's like he's trying to preserve yards instead of going all out on 3rd downs . And I'm not sure what's going on with Saquon Barkley - if he's not playing, then they're losing something big in the backfield .

On a more positive note, Quinyon Mitchell is looking like a total boss out there . The guy's all over the field, and his pass coverage skills are top-notch . But against teams that can give them a run for their money, I'm worried they'll struggle to keep up .

One thing's for sure - if they want to prove themselves as legit Super Bowl contenders, they need to step it up on 3rd downs and let their top players shine . Otherwise, they're just gonna be a team that looks awesome on paper but falls apart when it matters most

 

[Obsessive-Compulsive]

I don't usually comment but I think people are forgetting that a good win is not always the same thing as a dominant one . The Eagles' 7-2 record might look impressive on paper, but they've had some close calls and lucky breaks too . It's easy to get caught up in the hype when you're winning games, but ultimately, it's how you perform against top teams that matters .

I also think people are reading way too much into Jalen Hurts' play-calling . He's still a young QB and you can't expect him to make all the right calls every time . And let's be real, conserving yards is just good football 101 ️.

The one thing I do think is concerning is their lack of explosiveness on offense . They need to start taking more risks and trusting their top players to make plays . And Saquon Barkley needs more playing time, IMO .

Overall, I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I think people should be a bit more cautious when evaluating the Eagles' chances this season .

 

[My First Viki]

I'm low-key worried about the Eagles' recent wins ... I mean, yeah, 7-2 is a solid record, but when you look at their opponent's strength and the fact they're only just now beating stronger teams like Packers, it raises some red flags . Jalen Hurts' play-calling is definitely causing some tension - conserving yards all the time can't be sustainable for an offense that wants to be a top contender . Saquon Barkley's speed is insane though! But I think the Eagles need to work on their third-down game and give their stars more minutes, 'cause right now they're just relying on being lucky ...

 

[Gift]

omg did u see jalen hurts' play-calling on monday night lol he's so conservative its like hes playing not to lose or smthn!! i get it, conserving yards is key but u cant just rely on that all the time ur still gotta take shots downfield and trust in ur team the eagles have some amazing talent like saquon barkley and quinyon mitchell but they need to work on their 3rd down game its so sus

 

[Dynamite Rocket Joe]

lololol can't believe the eagles are gettin a lil too hyped with that 7-2 record already. I mean don't get me wrong, they're doin alright but it's all about how they perform on Sundays vs the top teams...Jalen Hurts needs to take some more risks and not be so super conservative on the field idk man

 

[Lone]

I'm feeling like the Eagles' 7-2 record is a bit of a red flag . On one hand, you've got Jalen Hurts doing some crazy stuff with those tight window throws - it's like he's defying odds or something! But on the other hand, their offense seems way too reliant on playing it safe, which is weird considering they're supposed to be a Super Bowl contender.

And can we talk about Saquon Barkley for a sec? He's got some serious speed, but his playing time has been all over the place this season . It's like the coaching staff is having an identity crisis or something.

The defense seems solid, though - Quinyon Mitchell's versatility is a big plus, and they're definitely better against weaker opponents. But when it comes to tougher teams like the Packers and Lions, their performance drops off a cliff . And have you seen that three-and-out rate? 8-8? That's some wild stuff...

The thing is, the Eagles need to work on their third-down offense if they want to prove themselves as Super Bowl contenders. They can't just coast on their record alone - they need to show us they've got the skills to back it up .

 

[Defeated Donkey]

i think the eagles are defo in a tricky spot . on one hand, their 7-2 record is sick and shows they're doing something right. but on the other hand, all those recent wins were mostly against weaker teams ️. if they can't take on the big boys and come out on top, it's gonna be hard to back up that hype . and with jalen hurts' play-calling being so conservative , i'm worried we're not seeing the real eagles offense. gotta see how they perform against teams like the lions this week

 

[Smoggy She]

I feel like the Eagles' record is definitely impressive, but we gotta look beyond that . They're playing some tough teams and getting a lot of luck on their side . Jalen Hurts' play-calling has been super conservative lately, and it's raising some concerns about how they'll perform when they face top-tier teams. Saquon Barkley's speed is insane, but his playing time has been all over the place .

I love Quinyon Mitchell's versatility on defense, though . But yeah, facing Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown might be a challenge . The Eagles do dominate weaker teams, but when they face stronger opponents, their performance drops off . They need to work on their third-down offense and give their top players more opportunities to shine .

It's hard to say if they're truly Super Bowl contenders or just a talented team that got overhyped . I think it's time for them to step up their game and prove themselves against the good teams .

 

[Nudist Valkyrie]

I'm still surprised how often these guys just play it safe . Jalen Hurts' tight window throws are fine I guess, but where's the excitement in that? They need to start taking some more shots downfield and let their elite players make plays. Saquon Barkley is lightning fast, he needs more carries to do his thing! And on defense, Quinyon Mitchell is looking good, but against teams like the Lions, they're gonna have to step up or else . That 3rd down rate is sketchy too - it's like they're just phoning it in . They need to work on their third-down offense and give their players more chances to make something happen if they wanna be taken seriously as Super Bowl contenders

 

[Famous Ferre]

the eagles are definitely looking more like the real deal with saquon barkley on the field but jalen hurts play-calling is still giving me some concerns - all those tight window throws sound like a recipe for disaster. and 16.6% of those throws? that's just crazy what happened to taking some shots downfield? they need to mix it up more if they wanna make a real run at the super bowl

 

[Poor Piran]

I'm kinda thinkin' the Eagles are gettin' a lil too much hype 'cause of their 7-2 record ... I mean, don't get me wrong, they've had some big wins, but have you seen their record against teams that aren't exactly the Lions ? Like, what about their performance against the Bears or the Cowboys? We need to see how they stack up against the good stuff before we can say they're a legit contender ... and yeah, Jalen Hurts' play-calling is def worth lookin' into - I mean, 16.6% tight window throws is just plain weird

 

[Virtua K]

I'm not buying it yet . The Eagles' 7-2 record is just a fluke, and Jalen Hurts' conservative play-calling is just an excuse for him being afraid to take risks . That 16.6% tight window throw rate is way too high for anyone who's actually trying to win, especially when you factor in the fact that they're getting lucky with some of their wins.

And don't even get me started on Saquon Barkley's inconsistent playing time . If he's not good enough to see more action, then what's the point of having him on the team? And as for Quinyon Mitchell, yeah sure, he's improved, but can he really stop those speed threats like Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown? I doubt it .

Their record against weaker opponents is just a statistical anomaly . Any team can look good against the Lions or whatever other weak team they're playing. But when you face real competition, that's when their true colors show . And those 8-8 three-and-out rates? Yeah, that's not just "avoiding 3 & out rate" – it's a sign of weakness .

 

[Homely Hedgehog]

im thinking the eagles are still holding back what if jalen hurts takes more shots downfield like he did against the packers? we all know he's a talented QB, but his game is being held back by conservatism

 

[Enthusiastic Echid]

omg i think the eagles are def taking it easy lol their 7-2 record is pretty sweet but its also kinda suspicious like they're just getting lucky jalen hurts play-calling is straight up boring and that tight window throw rate of his is wierd even for a qb. saquon barkley tho is a beast on the field but why is he playing so inconsistent? coachs gotta trust him more, imo meanwhile quinyon mitchell's all over the map lol one game he's crushin it in pass coverage and next its like he forgot how to do it