The variations between the Jaguars and the Eagles on Sunday had been clear and jarring.
One of many two groups was supremely proficient. One was not.
One of many two groups made spectacular, spotlight reel performs and is a reputable playoff contender. One isn’t.
One of many two groups has an MVP caliber quarterback. One doesn’t.
One of many two groups has thrilling younger gamers on an bettering protection. One doesn’t.
Jacksonville has earned each little bit of their 2-7 document this season, whereas the 6-2 Eagles are as soon as once more placing themselves able to make one other Tremendous Bowl run. And but, Sunday’s 28-23 win over the hapless Jags got here inside a Nakobe Dean finish zone interception from turning into the staff’s second come-from-ahead lack of the season at Lincoln Monetary Discipline.
It didn’t need to be that approach, however it was, due to an egregious mistake by replay officers awarding a landing to the Jaguars on a non-fumble fumble by Saquon Barkley, and 4 choices by Sirianni that actively took factors off the board.
First, let or not it’s recognized that I consider in analytics, and I consider one of many causes Philadelphia has been profitable through the Lurie possession is that he and the entrance workplace have leaned into utilizing analytics in relation to decision-making. However because the baseball world has noticed over the past decade, man can’t stay by laptop alone. One of the best managers/head coaches are those who will take the analytics and use them, but additionally know when to place them of their pockets.
After the Jaguars inexplicably gave up a 19-yard landing to Barkley on a Third-and-17 with 22 seconds left, the Eagles lined up and kicked the additional level to present themselves a 17-point lead. Nevertheless, DaVon Hamilton jumped offside on the additional level attempt, so Sirianni determined to take the purpose off the board, settle for the penalty and go for 2 with the Tush Push from the one-yard line. Usually this may be the precise impulse, but when the Eagles had saved the additional level, it could have been a three-score sport, relatively than a 16-point, two-score sport. The very fact the Eagles did not convert on the Tush Push was stunning, however it was an unforced error, and the benefit of an 18-point lead vs. a 17-point lead was not well worth the danger.
After Jalen Hurts’ 18-yard TD run put them up 22-0, the Eagles as soon as once more obtained a present from Jacksonville within the type of a penalty that positioned the additional level attempt on the one-yard line. Moderately than kick and enhance the result in 23-0, Sirianni tried one other Tush Push to go for 2. As soon as once more, it was stuffed. This name was much less egregious than the earlier one, in my view, maybe a adverse course of over outcomes state of affairs.
With a little bit over a minute left within the third quarter and the Eagles all of the sudden clinging to a 22-16 lead, the Eagles confronted a fourth-and-inches from the Jaguars’ 25-yard-line. Sure, Jacksonville had stopped two earlier Tush Pushes, however given they solely wanted inches, they might have additionally run Barkley or throw a excessive proportion fast go. As a substitute, they went with a sluggish creating go play that resulted in a turnover on downs. Had they kicked the sector aim, they’d have led 25-16, a two possession sport. Often, a subject aim is a defeat, however on this case, chasing factors wasn’t working for them, and the play name was terrible. That’s additionally on Kellen Moore.
Lastly, clinging to a 5 level lead, the Eagles had the ball on the Jacksonville 39 yard line, dealing with a 4th and 4. This was not a straightforward choice. Both go for it and attempt to convert a harder fourth down conversion, or attempt to kick a 57-yard subject aim. Or, punt and attempt to pin Trevor Lawrence inside his personal 10-yard line. The issue with kicking a subject aim right here is that it solely turns a 5 level lead into an eight-point lead. It’s nonetheless a one-score sport. Jake Elliott missed the lengthy subject aim and the Eagles needed to be rescued by a Dean interception in the long run zone to seal it.
I get that a few of these choices are coin flips, however Sirianni appears to make the mistaken name most of the time. Sure, one may argue that if the Tush Push had labored as anticipated, none of this issues, and that’s true. However the identical was argued after they determined to throw the ball to Barkley on the finish of the Falcons sport (a call I hated within the second and nonetheless do) and it virtually occurred once more.
Of all of the Tremendous Bowl contenders on the market, the Eagles’ head coach is the one that might in the end price his staff a playoff sport greater than any of the others. For the earlier three weeks, Sirianni’s choice making was simply effective, however time after time on Sunday, he damage his staff’s probabilities of beating one of many worst groups the Eagles are going to see this 12 months.
Towards an terrible Jacksonville staff, the expertise gained out. Within the postseason, towards a staff just like the Lions, Commanders, Packers, Vikings, Falcons or 49ers (I’m not able to say Cardinals but), there’s much less room for error and the expertise hole gained’t be there to avoid wasting Sirianni from detrimental in-game choices.
