Eagles have extra questions than answers 9 video games into season

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — With a rookie teach researching on the job and a second-12 months quarterback in his first season because the full-time starter, the Philadelphia Eagles skilled commonplace becoming pains in an inconsistent first half.

They're 3-6 with more questions than solutions at this factor.

Nick Sirianni made a robust first impact in his debut as an NFL head educate. but due to the fact a season-opening 32-6 win at Atlanta, his online game plans and play calling were questionable.

at the least, Sirianni has already mastered being liable.

"First and most effective, whatever thing the concerns are on this group offensively, defensively, particular teams-sensible, all of it starts with me and me first," Sirianni spoke of Monday.

The Eagles nevertheless don't recognize even if Jalen Hurts can also be a franchise quarterback after 13 career begins, including the last 4 video games of 2020. Hurts has proven flashes of excellence blended with a whole lot of inconsistency. He's a legitimate dual-risk player who plays with poise below drive. but he also struggles with accuracy and looks to pass over an open receiver for a large play once a game or more.

"I'm not satisfied with dropping," Hurts mentioned. "I not ever might be so long as I'm right here on this Earth. We should locate methods to come out. we've executed it. Doing it at all times, there's an urgency round right here. There's a 'want to' round here. There's an effort round right here. Doing it continuously, popping out and dominating from the soar. Taking advantages of the opportunities we've.

"You go towards the best of the foremost in this league. When we have these alternatives, you have to take skills of them. That's some thing that I've realized during this younger starting time for me."

The schedule eases for the Eagles over the closing eight games, with 4 games in opposition t Washington (2-6) and the new york Giants (3-6) and one in opposition t the ny Jets (2-6).

"We ought to play more advantageous. We have to educate enhanced to be able to try this," Sirianni said. "but I consider you've considered us in a spot where after we're enjoying constant, we are able to play pretty neatly. but the consistency isn't there right yet, continuously. That's my job as a head instruct to get it there, but I do believe we now have everybody in this building we need to win this division and to win football video games, to be able to move on."

WHAT'S WORKING

After putting too a great deal of the burden on Hurts, Sirianni has became to the run game the past two weeks. The Eagles ran for 236 yards in a forty four-6 win at Detroit and had 176 greater against the Chargers in a 27-24 loss Sunday. They've relied on veteran Jordan Howard, who become on the practice squad the primary seven games unless Miles Sanders turned into injured. Howard has 128 yards and three of the crew's six TDs rushing during the past two outings.

WHAT wants aid

The pass defense has been lousy lots of the season. five quarterbacks have accomplished at the least eighty% of their passes in opposition t the Eagles. protective coordinator Jonathan Gannon's passive scheme has been criticized even with the aid of his own avid gamers. Six-time professional Bowl protecting address Fletcher Cox spoke out in opposition t it remaining month.

replenish

First-circular draft decide upon DeVonta Smith has 38 catches for 537 yards and two TDs. He had his second 100-yard receiving online game towards the Chargers. Smith is enjoying as much as expectations after the Eagles traded as much as choose him at No. 10 ordinary.

inventory DOWN

Linebacker Alex Singleton started the season because the crew's correct player at a weak place. His snap counts have long gone down six straight weeks and he performed simply 10 defensive snaps towards the Chargers.

accidents

Sanders will miss his third game this week. The Eagles lost left defend Isaac Seumalo for the season in September and three-time seasoned Bowl correct shelter Brandon Brooks has been sidelined on the grounds that Week 2 however is expected to come.

KEY quantity

seventy five.5 - That's the completion percent for opposing quarterbacks. The defense is on pace to set an NFL record for worst completion percent. The 2016 Lions allowed QBs to comprehensive 72.7% of their passes.

next STEPS

The Eagles visit the Denver Broncos (5-four) on Sunday. The Broncos have gained two in a row including a 30-sixteen rout at Dallas, after losing four in a row.

___

follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi and his work will also be discovered at https://apnews.com/search/robmaaddi

___

extra AP NFL insurance: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL