Eagles OC Delivers Blunt Message on Offensive Struggles in 2 Recent Wins
One of the great signs of a good team is one that can win without playing its best. The past two weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles are playing at a high level on defense. But it’s been a different story for offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and his unit.
The Eagles have scored 26 combined points the past two weeks. They didn’t eclipse 300 yards of offense in either game.
Against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the Eagles went just 14 of 28 through the air with 124 passing yards. Philadelphia averaged 4.4 yards per pass, which was the team’s lowest output per attempt since the Week 2 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Patullo addressed the team’s offensive struggles in front of the media Tuesday. Patullo assigned offensive blame to self-inflicted mistakes.
“When you look at situations we have when we’re on track, we do a pretty good job,” Patullo told reporters. “If we get off track a little bit, whether it’s a negative play or a penalty, that puts us in a hole. We’ve had some trouble with that.
“It starts with us as a staff to make sure we’re in a good play, and we’re executing at a high level, and we’re all detailed up. Then if something happens like a penalty, sometimes those happen, we’ve got to be able to overcome that.”
Eagles OC Kevin Patullo Addresses Offensive Struggles
Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator stated a bit of the obvious with his “on track” and “off track” remarks. Most NFL teams are good when their offenses stay ahead of the chains and struggle when they don’t. That’s one of the biggest objectives of offense — staying on track to convert into more first downs.
Bad offenses fall off track and don’t “overcome” second/third-and-long.
Unfortunately for Patullo, that’s been the Eagles the past two weeks. After recording a season-high 23 first downs during Week 8 versus the New York Giants, Philadelphia has 29 first downs in its last two contests combined.
Not counting penalties, the Eagles posted 25 first downs combined versus the Packers and Lions.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts’ efficiency dropped against those two opponents. Hurts has completed 53.7% of his passes with only one touchdown the last two weeks. He’s averaging 5.9 yards per attempt during that stretch.
Hurts had just 179 passing yards versus the Giants in Week 8. But he threw four touchdowns in the contest.
Eagles Offense Will Get Opportunity vs. Cowboys
While things haven’t looked great for the Eagles offense the past two games, the unit could have a golden chance to get back “on track.”
The Dallas Cowboys will enter Week 12 ranked 30th in total defense and 31st in points allowed. The Cowboys are also rated 30th in passing yards yielded and 24th in rushing yards allowed.
Dallas’ offense is an elite group. Therefore, the Eagles defense could face a difficult task on the road.
But if Patullo, Hurts and the Eagles offense struggles again in Week 12, then it could be a sign of bad things to come.
Granted, the Eagles didn’t exactly light up the Cowboys in the team’s first matchup. Philadelphia averaged 4.9 yards per play in the 24-20 victory.
But that came during Week 1 in what was a helter skelter type game because of a lightning delay.
Hurts completed 19 of 23 passes for 152 yards against the Cowboys in the season opener. The quarterback also had 62 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Perfect Situation Allows Gutekunst to Deliver on His Promise
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst promised change, and now he’s in the perfect position to deliver on it. With a fresh outlook under center, an evolving roster, and an offseason filled with strategic moves, Gutekunst has the ideal opportunity to shape the Packers into contenders once again. The pressure is high, but the situation is just right for him to fulfill his long-term vision.
When Gutekunst took over, he inherited a team full of veteran talent but lacking future direction. After years of relying on Aaron Rodgers’ brilliance, the Packers are transitioning into a new era with Jordan Love at quarterback. This change may have seemed daunting to some, but it provided Gutekunst with the perfect opening to build a team that aligns with his vision — one focused on youth, speed, and flexibility.
Gutekunst’s offseason moves reflected his commitment to this transformation. The draft saw an infusion of promising young talent, particularly on the offensive side, giving Love the weapons he needs to succeed. Add in a revamped defense loaded with potential, and the Packers are primed to make noise in a competitive NFC North.
But it’s not just about new faces. Gutekunst has also made shrewd decisions to retain the core players who will help lead this team. His ability to balance the future with the present is what sets him apart. The Packers are no longer relying on one player to carry them. Instead, they’re building a more complete, self-sustaining roster — and it’s evident on every level.
Now, Gutekunst finds himself with a talented, hungry roster ready to prove itself. Love’s growth, paired with a solid foundation, gives the Packers the tools they need to succeed. If the Packers take that step forward, it will be because Gutekunst kept his promise to build a team that can win now and for years to come.
