The Philadelphia Eagles have reached halftime in each game with a chance to take control. What has happened after the break has become one of their most pressing problems since last season.
Philadelphia has scored only six third-quarter points through three games, and its offense opened the second half of Monday’s 27-7 loss to the Chicago Bears with three consecutive three-and-outs. Jalen Hurts acknowledged Wednesday that the Eagles must improve their execution, play selection, and ability to adjust as games unfold.
“We’ve got to be better at that,” Hurts said. “Controlling the things that we can control and, secondly, making sure we’re in the right plays and making the proper adjustments.”
The Eagles received the second-half kickoff in all three
games after winning the coin toss and deferring. That potential possession advantage has failed to produce the intended results.
Hurts said halftime approaches can vary by coordinator. Some coaches make significant changes based on what happened in the first two quarters, while others enter the game with a predetermined plan for the second half. Philadelphia is still determining which process best fits Sean Mannion, Hurts and the rest of an offense learning a new system.
“Everybody has a different approach,” Hurts said. “I think we’ve just got to find out what’s best for us.”
Philadelphia briefly found its rhythm during a 67-yard touchdown drive before halftime against Chicago. Hurts completed five of six passes on the possession and scored on a quarterback sneak as time expired. That execution vanished after the break. The Eagles failed to score again and produced few answers once Chicago adjusted.
The Los Angeles Rams will present another difficult test Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia cannot afford to spend another third quarter searching for solutions while Matthew Stafford and the Rams seize control. Three games represent a small sample, but the Eagles’ post-halftime decline has lasted long enough to become a trend they must reverse.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jalen Hurts addresses the Eagles’ second-half offensive struggles
