The Philadelphia Eagles have overcome one of their greatest early-season challenges, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road to improve their record to 4-0. It was a powerful statement to the rest of the NFL, showcasing their resilience and their ability to win under pressure. However, behind the victory’s glow, signs of instability on offense and the public frustration of star wide receiver A.J. Brown are raising questions about the team’s internal dynamics.

A Perfect Start, A Worrisome Finish

The Eagles began the game in perfect fashion, unleashing an explosive offensive performance in the first half that left the Buccaneers reeling. A blocked punt on the opening drive, which was returned for a touchdown by Sydney Brown, set the tone for the game, giving the team a significant early lead. Jalen Hurts was in command, completing an astonishing 15 of 16 passes for 171 total yards, two touchdowns, and a perfect 140.1 passer rating. He showcased his mobility, turning pressure into opportunities with a 29-yard scramble and delivering key passes to Dallas Goedert.

However, the game’s narrative took a complete turn in the second half. Just like in their previous game against the Rams, the Eagles showed two distinctly different faces. The second half saw an ineffective offense, with six of their seven true offensive drives resulting in punts, and five of those being “three-and-outs”. The play-calling became overly conservative, uninspired, and predictable, making it difficult to sustain any momentum. This brought back the familiar concerns about the offense’s inconsistency that have been a theme in recent weeks.

A Dominant Defense Led by Quinyon Mitchell

While the offense struggled, the Eagles’ defense shone brightly, playing a crucial role in securing the victory. Rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell had a breakout performance, possibly the best game of his career to date. Matched up against two of the Buccaneers’ talented receivers, Amecke Egbuka and Chris Godwin, Mitchell was targeted nine times but allowed only two catches for a measly six yards. He racked up an impressive five pass breakups and earned a 90.2 grade, the highest on the team. His “shutdown” performance earned praise from analysts, who were particularly impressed by his sticky coverage and ball skills in difficult situations.

Alongside Mitchell, Cooper DeJean also displayed his versatility and effectiveness, ranking as the fourth-highest graded Eagle at 80.3. He led the team with nine tackles (eight solo) and two passes defended, one of which was a nearly game-changing interception. DeJean’s flexibility, stepping in to play outside corner due to injuries, has turned a potential Eagles weakness into a major strength, providing a valuable asset to the defense. Jiad Campbell also made a timely play with a huge interception of Baker Mayfield in the end zone in the fourth quarter, which stopped the Buccaneers from potentially tying the game and solidified his growing role on the team.

A.J. Brown’s Frustration: A Warning Sign?

However, one of the most talked-about developments after the game was the public frustration of star wide receiver A.J. Brown. After a game where he only had two catches for seven yards, Brown posted a cryptic message on social media: “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”. This message clearly indicated Brown’s displeasure, whether it’s with his role in the offense or the overall offensive scheme.

While the Eagles’ 4-0 record is something Brown is undoubtedly happy about, and he did receive a team-high nine targets in the game, the question remains whether the issue is how he’s being utilized rather than a lack of opportunities. As a top-five wide receiver in the league, Brown deserves to be a bigger part of the offensive game plan. The dissatisfaction of a key player like Brown, even during a winning streak, is a signal that the Eagles’ coaching staff needs to take seriously.

Issues That Need to Be Addressed

A 4-0 start is a fantastic achievement, but the Eagles are well aware that they have plenty to work on. Coach Nick Sirianni and the players have emphasized that they are not satisfied and want to improve to reach greatness. Key issues to address include:

Offensive Inconsistency: The team needs to find a balance between the first-half explosiveness and the second-half conservatism. The play-calling must become more diverse and less predictable.
Running Game Effectiveness: The run game has been ineffective all season, making the offense one-dimensional and easier for defenses to predict. Offensive lineman Jordan Mailata admitted that they need to execute better and perhaps use more play-action to counter stacked defensive boxes.
A.J. Brown’s Role: The coaching staff needs to address Brown’s concerns and find a way to integrate him more effectively into the game plan, maximizing his immense talent.
Injuries: The departure of Lane Johnson due to injury in the second half also impacted the offense’s performance. The health of key players will be a critical factor in the games to come.

Looking Ahead

The Eagles are set to face the Denver Broncos next week. This will be an opportunity for them to demonstrate their ability to fix the issues that have emerged and to continue solidifying their position as a true contender in the NFL. The victory over the Buccaneers was a crucial step, but to truly become a championship team, the Eagles must address their internal problems and ensure that all their players, especially stars like A.J. Brown, feel heard and empowered to perform at their best. A 4-0 record is good, but as they themselves have said, don’t let “good” get in the way of “great”.