After a rough start to the regular season, the Philadelphia Eagles are 6-2 and currently on a four-game winning streak. Yet, despite the team’s recent success, many are still wondering if Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is the right person for the job.
While Philadelphia defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars by a final score of 28-23 in Week 9, Sirianni seemingly did everything in his power to make the game closer than it needed to be. Can the Eagles continue to overcome Sirianni’s baffling decision-making?
Eagles Overcome Nick Sirianni’s Poor Decisions, Improve to 6–2
The Eagles were up 22-0 with 9:25 remaining in the third quarter against the Jaguars. However, it felt like Philadelphia should have been winning by a significantly larger margin.
Similar to earlier in the regular season during Philadelphia’s slow start, Sirianni made several questionable decisions throughout the game against the Jaguars. In fact, Sirianni was directly responsible for erasing eight points off the scoreboard for the Eagles.
Nick Sirianni has passed on 8 points today.
Passed on a 39-yard FG (turnover on downs)
Passed on a 42-yard FG (turnover on downs)
2-point conversion failure
2-point conversion failureIt's 28-23 #Eagles. Not even counting the Saquon Barkley "fumble" yet.
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) November 4, 2024
Sirianni wasn’t the only person who made questionable decisions in Week 9. The officiating crew ruled Saquon Barkley being tripped up by a defender and losing the football after hitting the ground as a fumble, which was later confirmed by the NFL’s replay center.
Suddenly a 22-0 lead was trimmed down to 22-16 within nearly four minutes on the game clock. Both teams then traded touchdowns as Philadelphia’s offense took the field with less than four minutes remaining in the game.
After being ultra-aggressive earlier in the game, Sirianni became conservative as he settled for a 57-yard field goal. Considering that Jake Elliott hadn’t kicked since the first quarter, it was another questionable decision by Sirianni.
Elliott missed the long field goal, and Jacksonville’s offense took the field with 2:11 remaining in the fourth quarter and 53 yards to go for a game-winning touchdown. Luckily for Sirianni, he was bailed out by Philadelphia’s defense as Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean hauled in a game-sealing interception in the end zone.
While Sirianni’s decision-making will certainly be a hot topic this week, the Eagles improved to 6-2 and remain in the race with the Washington Commanders for first place in the NFC East. Philadelphia will host the Commanders on Thursday Night Football in Week 11.
Sirianni’s Questionable Decision-Making Isn’t a New Concern
Sirianni’s questionable decision-making in Week 9 brought back memories of his miscalculations earlier in the regular season. While it felt like Sirianni took a major step forward in this area during the bye week based on his performance in recent games, the truth was revealed against the Jaguars.
If Sirianni is going to embrace the “CEO” head coach role in Philadelphia, his in-game decision-making must improve. While the Eagles have managed to win despite Sirianni’s mistakes, the errors have already cost Philadelphia one win this season.
In Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, Sirianni opted to pass the ball on a key third-down play, which star running back Saquon Barkley inexplicably dropped. That allowed Atlanta’s offense to get the ball back with plenty of time remaining on the game clock and march down the field to defeat the Eagles.
SAQUON DROPPED THIS 🤯
Peyton Manning couldn't believe it. pic.twitter.com/zqSJ2pYhlo
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 17, 2024
The following game in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints, Sirianni passed on multiple field goals in the first half, ultimately failing to convert on both fourth-down opportunities.
Including Week 9 against the Jaguars, Philadelphia has now failed to convert at least five fourth-down situations in field goal territory this season. Sirianni’s inconsistent aggressiveness is ultimately limiting the Eagles’ offense.
Considering Philadelphia’s next four games, Sirianni will need to fix this issue as soon as possible. It’ll be hard for the Eagles to overcome passing up on points against explosive offenses such as the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens.