In just 15 days, the Eagles dropped from 10-1 to 10-4 with losses to the 49ers, Cowboys, and Seahawks. After the most recent loss in Seattle, fueled by a lost lead and a failed drive in the final minute, quarterback Jalen Hurts fielded specific questions about the offense’s two-minute performance in a press conference. I received it.
Mr. Hertz’s response included a more general observation.
“I’ve been talking about the death penalty all year long,” Hurts said. “We’re on the same page, everybody’s on the same page. We didn’t execute. I don’t think we’re, all of us, we’re working hard enough. We just have to turn around. You know, this is a challenge that we have to work on. Just keep seeing it through.”
Hurts asked what that meant.
“It’s a commitment,” Hurts said. “I don’t have a dictionary right now. . . . I don’t know what else to say.”
“What do you think of the gift itself?” he was asked.
“It’s a question of whether we’re on the same page,” Hertz said. “We need everyone to give their best in every aspect. And that starts with me.”
Hurts continued to stress that it starts with him. But there was a clear undercurrent to his words. He’s trying to get everyone on the same page. He’s trying to get everyone committed. Something is missing.
That wasn’t obvious when they started 11-1. That is clear now that they have lost three games in a row.
With the Giants and Cardinals remaining on the regular season schedule, they have a chance to turn things around. The question is whether the Eagles will be ready when the time comes to play one-shot football against the top teams in the conference.
Like the 49ers. Or the Cowboys. Or the Seahawks.