Nick Sirianni isn’t hitting the panic button on his offense. The Eagles’ head coach firmly backed offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo Friday, shutting down any notion of a play-calling change after Thursday’s frustrating 24-15 loss to the Bears at Lincoln Financial Field.
“We’re not changing the playcaller. But we will evaluate everything,” Sirianni said. “It’s never just about one person. You win as a team, you lose as a team and you try to evaluate everything, win, lose or draw, and get better from it.
He added: “I have confidence in the entire group. I know it will keep coming back to Kevin. If I thought it was one thing, I’d make those changes. Obviously, it’s a lot of different things. I don’t think it’s Kevin.”
The Eagles’ offense has been a puzzle all season. Despite boasting the NFL’s highest-paid offensive unit – featuring stars like Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jalen Hurts – the production simply hasn’t matched the payroll. Philadelphia entered Thursday’s game ranked 24th in total yards (303.6 per game), 23rd in passing (193.2), 21st in rushing (110.5) and 18th in scoring (23.2).
That scoring number has plummeted lately.
Philly’s offense has managed just 15.5 points per game over their last four contests, including back-to-back losses that have dropped them to 8-4. The Cowboys (6-5-1) continue gaining ground in the NFC East race.
Thursday’s performance against Chicago’s 27th-ranked defense was particularly concerning. The Eagles ran just 51 plays to Chicago’s 85 and converted only 4 of 12 third downs.
Patullo, who was promoted from pass game coordinator this offseason after Kellen Moore left to become the Saints’ head coach, hasn’t been able to maximize Philadelphia’s offensive firepower.
Barkley, the league’s Offensive Player of the Year last season, was limited to 13 carries for 56 yards – the ninth time this year he’s been held under 60 rushing yards.
“This game, it was weird, it was different, it felt weird out there,” Barkley said about the game flow. “I think we’ve just got to do a better job of keeping drives going. That’s something we have to address and get better at.”
Despite mounting criticism, Barkley defended the coaching staff.
“I don’t think something big needs to change. The sky is falling outside the locker room, we understand that, but I have nothing but the utmost confidence in the men in this locker room, that’s coaches included, and it’s going to take all of us.”
Hurts struggled in the steady Chicago wind. He finished 19-of-34 for 231 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, while also losing a fumble during a tush push attempt – his first multi-turnover game since Week 10.
The Eagles’ usually reliable defense – a key component in their formula for success under coordinator Vic Fangio – also faltered Thursday.
Chicago gashed Philadelphia for 281 rushing yards as Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift each topped 100 yards on the ground. They’re the first Bears running back tandem to accomplish that feat in the same game since Walter Payton and Matt Suhey did it in 1985.
The mini-bye before next Monday’s game against the Chargers gives Sirianni and his staff valuable time to regroup.
“We have to definitely stay together,” Hurts emphasized. “Stay committed to what the team is trying to accomplish. In the end, no one ever said it was going to be easy, and we’ve got to embrace the challenge. We’ve got to embrace this time and respond to it the right way.”