By David Weinberg
The Eagles blew a chance to take early control of the NFC on Monday night with a 22-21 loss to the Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Cowboys, 49ers and Lions – the expected contenders in the conference – all lost on Sunday, creating an opportunity for the Birds to join the Buccaneers, Saints, Seahawks and Vikings as the only NFC teams with 2-0 records.
But it didn’t happen. Various defensive breakdowns, some costly offensive mistakes and questionable coaching decisions led to a disheartening defeat.
“This is on all of us,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “That starts with coaching and goes to the players. We are all responsible for this loss.”
A lack of a pass rush proved costly for the defense. Edge rushers Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat and company failed to put pressure on Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Falcons running backs Bijan Robinson (97 yards on 14 carries) and Tyler Allgeier (53 on 9) gashed the interior for 150 yards.
“Sometimes you have to earn the right to rush (the quarterback),” Sirianni said. “Meaning, you’ve got to get them in passing situations.”
Offensively, running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 95 yards, but dropped an easy pass late in the game. Quarterback Jalen Hurts delivered an impressive performance until throwing a game-ending interception.
Nick Sirianni drew criticism early in the game by eschewing a chip-shot field goal in the first quarter, only to see a fourth-down pass fall incomplete. Coordinators Kellen Moore (offense) and Vic Fangio (defense) also came under fire for their decision-making.
A daunting challenge awaits. The Eagles now head on the road for back-to-back games at New Orleans and Tampa Bay. The Saints scored 91 combined points in their first two games during romps over the Panthers (47-10) and Cowboys (44-19), respectively. According to FOX Sports, it was the fourth-highest total to start a season in league history.
“There’s no secret ingredient to this,” Hurts said. “There’s no difference between the joys and the pains, the wins and the losses. It’s a matter of if you can learn from it.
“In the end, winning is the only thing that matters. And to win, you have to continue to learn and to grow.”
At least the Phillies are doing well.
Joanna Coe earns
PGA Pro title
Three months after giving birth to her first child, professional golfer Joanna Coe delivered a big victory.
The Oakcrest High School graduate won the Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship for the second time in three years earlier this month, beating 10 other golfers at Union League Golf Club in Torresdale, Pennsylvania.
Coe, who is the director of instruction at Merion Golf Club (Pennsylvania), shot an even-par 70 to become the first two-time winner of the event.
Coe and her husband, Ryan Hartsfield, welcomed daughter Jenny Rose Hartsfield on June 14.
Coe, who is a member of the Oakcrest High School Wall of Fame, is also one of five PGA of America Golf Professionals who will be competing for the U.S. in the Women’s PGA Cup Sept. 30-Oct. 5 on the Meadows Course at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon.
Local NFL update
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton (Cedar Creek High School) rushed for 8 yards on two carries in a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday.
Younger brother Max Melton (Cedar Creek), a rookie cornerback with the Arizona Cardinals, registered two tackles for the Cards in a 41-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Austin Johnson (St. Augustine Prep, Galloway Township) had two tackles in a 31-10 win over the Miami Dolphins.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
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