BREAKING: EAGLES COLLAPSE IN PRIMETIME — “VERY LOST AND DEFEATED” LOCKER ROOM EXPOSED AFTER GIANTS LOSS
The Philadelphia Eagles fell flat in primetime, losing to the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football. Philadelphia dropped its second-straight game after opening the season 4-0. The embarrassing 34-17 Week 6 defeat raised questions about the team’s chemistry and leadership.
Following the deflating loss to the Giants, NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo described the Eagles’ locker room as “very lost and defeated,” adding that the team’s “vibe, body language, everything is off at this point.”
The Eagles entered the season eyeing another deep playoff run behind Jalen Hurts and a stacked roster that – on paper – resembles the NFC powerhouse that won Super Bowl LIX. But after Thursday’s loss, Philadelphia’s aura of control feels cracked. The offense has struggled in key moments, the defense hasn’t played like a shutdown unit and leadership on both sides of the ball is being tested.
Eagles need reset after rough patch
Week 6’s matchup underscored the Eagles’ imbalance. Hurts and the passing game struggled as the quarterback failed to get top wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith involved. Philadelphia has the league’s 29th-ranked overall offense after six weeks, averaging 274.5 yards per game. Last season the Eagles boasted the NFL’s 8th-best offense (367.2 yards per contest).
Even more telling is the drama surrounding a meeting between Hurts, Brown and Saquon Barkley as the three stars tried to get on the same page. Brown initially denied any such meeting took place before admitting the meeting sort of happened.
The offensive line, which had long been a staple of the team, wasn’t able to create consistent protection or push in short-yardage situations against New York. Philadelphia went just 1-9 on third downs, continuing a troubling trend of stalled drives. All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson called the offense predictable. But the issue could be deeper than play calling.
Garafolo’s report painted a picture of a locker room running on fumes. “They go to a 10-day bye, or mini-bye… after a Thursday game. Which is good. That’s what they need. They have their real bye coming up in a couple weeks. That’s good. They need that as well.”
That rest can’t come soon enough. Multiple veterans reportedly appeared visibly frustrated after the loss, with some players declining to speak to the media. For a team built on accountability and composure, that’s an uncharacteristic tone – and one that head coach Nick Sirianni will need to address head-on before the skid becomes something more systemic.
Kevin O’Connell Shares 4-Word Reaction To Falcons Loss
The Minnesota Vikings could not follow an impressive week one fourth quarter comeback against the Chicago Bears with a week two victory, falling to the Michael Penix Jr. led Atlanta Falcons, 22-6, in a fairly one-sided game on Sunday Night Football.
After spearheading an excellent final quarter against Chicago last week, many were expecting quarterback, JJ McCarthy to parlay his strong finish into a good game against the visiting Falcons.
Alas, it was not to be as McCarthy went 11/21 for 158 yards passing, along with two interceptions, as the team failed to put up double digits in prime time.
And Kevin O’Connell, speaking after the game, did not mince his words, not just about how he felt about the final result, but the team’s overall play.
Vikings HC Not Pleased With ‘Very Disappointing Performance’
“Very disappointing performance tonight” is certainly not what any player wants to hear from their head coach after a prime time game early on in the season.
And whilst much of the public blame will no doubt fall on the shoulders of McCarthy, there were moments where the second year QB shined, including a 50 yard rope to a wide open Justin Jefferson to set up a field goal right at the end of the first half.
Indeed, despite McCarthy displaying his athletic ability, the ex-Michigan man was sacked six times, including once for a lost fumble on the team’s 40 yard line – and felt constantly under duress from the Falcons’ revamped pass rush.
Duress that could not be contained by the Vikings’ offensive line, despite Minnesota having spent big money on both center Ryan Kelly and right guard, Will Fries, in free agency, and having drafted fellow guard, Donovan Jackson, in the first round of April’s draft.
So its clear that the offense will no doubt have to go back to the drawing board, both with regards the passing game and the pass-protection execution, which was not up to scratch on the second weekend of the season.
Where Do The Minnesota Vikings Go From Here?
Week three against the Cincinnati Bengals will be an interesting litmus test to see where the team lies after a rollercoaster opening two weeks.
Joe Burrow figures likely to miss next week – and possibly much more – in suffering turf toe against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, leaving Jake Browning as the starter, who managed to edge the Bengals to victory.
On paper, the Vikings still have one of the better rosters in football – at least when quarterback is taken out of the equation. But right now it does not seem like offensively things are ticking anywhere near as smoothly as they were under the tandem of now-Seahawks QB, Sam Darnold and O’Connell, in 2024.
Perhaps the biggest worry for O’Connell will be McCarthy’s clear lack of arm strength in both bouts, with both Penix and Caleb Williams clearly demonstrating themselves as having superior pure arm talent, even if they may not quite have the level of support around them that the former national champion currently has.
If O’Connell cannot find a way to utilize McCarthy’s skillset best before the end of the regular season, this could end up being a very long year for Minnesota and their fanbase.
