Five Big-Picture Takeaways From Eagles Week 4 Loss to Redskins

1.) Passing Game: So Close, Yet so Far

Oct 4, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins strong safety Kyshoen Jarrett (30) breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Bradford’s first half, for the most part, looked an awful lot like it did in the Eagles’ first three games of the season. Not much went right offensively through the better part of the first two quarters on Sunday. When the offense finally gained some traction on the final drive of the half, a missed field goal left the Eagles empty-handed on the scoreboard. Looking beyond the zero that accompanied his offense into the locker room, Sam Bradford looked to have something figured out.

Sure enough, the Eagles quarterback came out of the locker room like a different player. Bradford delivered touchdown passes of 62, 10, and 39 yards as the Eagles stormed ahead before ultimately falling short in the end. The former 1st overall pick demonstrated an accurate deep-ball, strong pocket presence, and the ability to identify mismatches during the three scoring drives he orchestrated. If the Eagles had come away with a win in this one, Bradford’s second half would be looked upon as a potential defining stretch of the season.

One trend of the season that Bradford’s strong 2nd half could not overcome was the issue with dropping passes. There were multiple instances over the course of the entire game where an Eagles receiver either was unable to come up with a Bradford delivery or simply dropped the pass. For a team that seemingly spends so much time focusing on ball security and extra work with the jugs machine, its astounding how many meaningful drops have cost the Eagles this season. Perhaps the plays are magnified given what little margin for error Kelly’s team appears to have, but the fact remains that dropped passes are stymying this team’s ability to extend drives.

Even after having navigated a handful of drops over the first 3+ quarters of Sunday, the Eagles managed to let a lapse of focus cost them dearly. With just under nine minutes left in regulation, the Eagles had made their way into Washington territory looking to build on their 20-16 lead. On a 3rd and 6, a perfectly designed play freed up Darren Sproles for a potential first down reception with no defender within several yards. Spirals had sat down in a vacant zone and squared himself to Bradford, who fired a strike in his direction. Though the pass was technically on his sideline-facing shoulder, Sproles got both hands on the ball before it careened off of him and to the FedEx Field grass.

Had Sproles made that catch, the Eagles drive would have extended at least another four downs and moved them further into  Washington territory with a chance to increase their lead. Even though their defense managed a stop following the punt, the offense was unable to provide any more relief. Ultimately, the Redskins were put in an ideal situation to bleed out the remainder of the 4th quarter clock while snaring victory from the Eagles. Until the Philadelphia skill players start snaring more catchable passes, the aerial attack will continue to sputter and success will be hard to come by.