The Philadelphia Eagles have reached a troubling point in their season, losing five consecutive games for the first time since 2016 and raising questions about whether they can avoid another disappointing finish. Philadelphia opened the 2026 season with consecutive victories before losing to Chicago, Los Angeles, Jacksonville, Carolina, and Dallas. Monday night's 38-21 loss to the Cowboys dropped the Eagles to 2-5 and extended their longest losing streak in a decade.
The last time Philadelphia lost five straight games was during Doug Pederson's first season as head coach, when the Eagles went through a difficult stretch with rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. That team opened 2016 with a 5-4 record before losing five consecutive games, falling
to 5-9 and eventually finishing 7-9. The similarities are concerning, but the circumstances surrounding the two teams are different. Yahoo Sports+1
Philadelphia's 2016 roster was in transition, with Wentz learning to operate an NFL offense and Pederson establishing his coaching philosophy. The 2026 Eagles entered the season expected to compete for a postseason berth, even after significant offseason roster changes. Injuries have intensified their problems, including Jalen Hurts' season-ending absence, which forced Tanner McKee into the starting lineup.
However, the quarterback situation doesn't fully explain Philadelphia's collapse.
The defense has struggled throughout the losing streak, allowing opponents to generate explosive plays and sustain drives. Dallas rushed for 204 yards Monday night, while Prescott threw three touchdowns without being sacked. The Eagles have also struggled to generate takeaways, limiting their ability to create extra possessions for an offense averaging just 18.1 points per game.
Philadelphia's 2016 team eventually recovered enough to win its final two games, finishing with victories over the Giants and Cowboys. The current Eagles still have 10 games remaining, including important divisional matchups against Washington, New York, and Dallas. The difference is that Philadelphia entered 2026 with a more established coaching staff and higher expectations, making its struggles particularly disappointing.
The Eagles have also experienced a five-game losing streak only three times during the 21st century, including 2012, 2016, and this season. A sixth consecutive loss Sunday would push Philadelphia into its longest skid since Andy Reid's final season in 2012.
For Nick Sirianni, avoiding that distinction is only part of the challenge.
Philadelphia must find a way to restore confidence, improve defensive execution, and establish consistency before its season resembles another disappointing chapter in franchise history.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles' five-game losing streak brings back memories of 2016 collapse
