By: Kylan Watson

After beating the Green Bay Packers last week, the Philadelphia Eagles still had some things to clean up on the offensive and defensive side. They faced a good opponent tonight to get things worked out against the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, despite dominating in most of this contest, they ended up falling to Atlanta 22-21 thanks to some offensive miscues and bad defensive play late in the game.

The Eagles added veteran coordinators in Kellan Moore and Vic Fangio to help them with their schemes on the offensive and defensive sides. Clearly both of them still have a lot to work on to improve the offensive and defensive units for Philly. For the second game in a row, it took the Eagles a little while to get going on the offensive side. They will need to find the right balance of plays that will help them start games faster.

Especially, as they start facing better teams these next few weeks. The biggest differences in this game were a premature decision that the Eagles made to go for it instead of taking the points. That proved to be a major decision. That loomed large in the result of this game. Making the field goal would have given the Eagles even more of a cushion in this game. Especially, if Jake Elliott made the easy field goal attempt. That would have helped Philly win the game by at least three points.

Secondly, late in the third quarter Devonta Smith had his second touchdown reception taken off the board. Thanks to him not securing the ball that Jalen Hurts threw to him, and having it broken up by an Atlanta defender. This was a routine catch that Smith usually makes, but the defender was able to break it up and take a TD off the board.

Lastly, the biggest miscue of this game that will haunt Eagles players and their fans for the rest of the week. Was Saquon Barkley dropping an easy pass from Jalen Hurts, if he cashes it, he at least would have gotten a first down and probably scored another touchdown.

The Eagles cannot afford to keep playing down to their competition, they need to play in a more balanced and complimentary way, where the defense and offensive units each do their part and help them win games.

Today they did not do that, and the defensive unit allowed Atlanta to march right down the field. The Eagles spent a lot of money on bringing impact defensive line players to Philly. Tonight, they only got one sack on Kirk Cousins. The defensive unit has to improve and pick up the offense when they are going through the motions during games. Giving up a touchdown with one-minute plus left in the game is not a good look for their defensive unit.

The Eagles made too many mistakes during tonight’s game and with a game against the hot New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon. They will have to implement a game plan that focuses on getting as much pressure on Derek Carr as possible to force him into turning the ball over. Implementing a game plan like that will be crucial if the Eagles want to get their second win of the season and continue to show that they are one of the best teams in the NFL.