Football Talks (The Season is Over) ðŸ˜
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Football Talks
A Playoff Loss That Defined Everything
Welcome back to Football Talks, and today we enter with nothing but disappointment. At the most basic level, this was simply a disappointing playoff loss.
There were so many angles to go into, but first off, I did not expect this. I genuinely believed the Eagles would beat the 49ers. They were injured. We had the upside. We had the better seed. The game was at the Linc. There were countless factors pointing toward a win, which is why this loss came as such a shock.
There are plenty of things you could point to and say, this is why we lost, and we’ll get to all of that. But overall, it was stunning. What made it worse is that this game perfectly mirrored the entire 2022 season.
Every part of that season—the success, the coaching, the coordinating, the failures—was packed into one game. Just like every other week, the good and the bad showed up together. And as frustrating as it is, maybe this loss was necessary. Maybe it’s what forces the Eagles to finally reevaluate instead of continuing to put out fires and delaying tough offseason decisions.
Why This Game Was Lost
Let’s get straight into it.
These are the things I didn’t like, and the biggest reasons the Eagles lost this game. I’ll go in order.
1. Kevin Patullo
The biggest reason is obviously Kevin Patullo.
There’s a breakdown from Dan Orlovsky on the final drive that I’ll link, and it shows just how basic the offense was. There was no creativity whatsoever. The contrast between the first half and second half was staggering—one looked functional, the other completely fell apart.
It was horrendous.
Here is Kevin Patullo this season with the most complete roster in football.
- 24th in total offense (311.2 yards per game)
- 23rd in passing (194.3 yards per game)
- 18th in rushing (116.9 yards per game)
- 19th in scoring (22.3 points per game)
This wasn’t just a one-game issue either. It showed all season long that he simply can’t call plays. In his 10-year coaching career, he had never been asked to call plays until now, and it only happened because he’s good buddies with the head coach. That decision did not work.
In his biggest game, he only called one designed run for a a dual-threat QB.
Bleeding Green Nation:
It’s the No. 1 reason, and there really isn’t a close second. One thing became crystal clear given the way two talented Eagles teams’ seasons ended in 2023 and ‘25.
It doesn’t matter how good the roster is. It is virtually impossible to overcome inept and incompetent coaching.
I’ve said it before, and it continues to be true—it won’t work, and it hasn’t worked. He’s incapable at every level of play-calling. Plays can only get you so far. Coaching matters immensely in the NFL, far more than most people give credit for.
And in this game, KP was the biggest problem. I can’t understate that enough.
2. AJ Brown
The second biggest problem was AJ Brown.
This wasn’t just about one game either. All season long, there was drama surrounding AJ Brown, especially regarding his role as a captain. That drama forced the offense to redirect its game plan just to keep him involved because of the constant complaining.
As a captain and locker-room leader, he failed. And once he finally got his way, the team started losing games.
Inside the Iggles:
Following the Super Bowl, A.J. appeared unsatisfied with winning it all.
“My thrill for this game comes when i dominate,”
Then came the biggest moment of the season. He talked about wanting to help the team win, wanting to be the star, wanting to make a difference. Well, when the opportunity came in the most critical moments, he didn’t show up.
Five drops. Three right through his hands.
You can blame age. You can say defenses have caught up. You can make any excuse you want. But the reality is simple: your star wide receiver, the guy you depend on in big moments, played terribly.
AJ Brown was the second biggest reason this game was lost.
3. Penalties
The third biggest problem was penalties.
Drive after drive was stalled by flags—Cam Juergens holding, pass interference, and a constant lack of discipline. This wasn’t new either. It’s been an issue all season.
In 2023 and 2024 there were problems, but 2025 exposed something worse: a total lack of discipline.
It started in Week 1 with Jalen Carter getting ejected for spitting and never really stopped. This team has been immature and undisciplined all year. There’s been no order, no consistency, and it showed again in this game.
Penalties set the Eagles back repeatedly, both throughout the season and in critical moments of this playoff loss. That’s the third biggest reason they lost.
4. Kicking
The fourth biggest reason was the kicking.
Jake Elliott set a record for most missed extra points in a season with six. That’s a crazy stat, and it came back to haunt the Eagles at the worst possible time.
When he missed that extra point, even fans in the stands knew it would matter. And it did.
On the final drive, despite terrible play-calling, drops, and penalties, the offense somehow clawed its way down to the 18-yard line. Then it became fourth-and-11.
Had that extra point been made earlier, the Eagles could’ve kicked a field goal and forced overtime. Instead, they were forced into desperation.
That missed extra point changed everything. Elliott’s future in Philadelphia should be questioned, because his performance this season was a major problem.
5. Big Plays Allowed on Defense
The fifth biggest problem was the big plays allowed on defense.
And yet, they gave up far too many big plays.
Quinyon Mitchell rebounded with a strong second half and two interceptions, but overall, the defense allowed too many explosive plays to wide receiver threes and fours. The 49ers were missing top weapons like George Kittle, yet backups were consistently beating the Eagles downfield.
That simply can’t happen in a playoff game.
6. Jalen Hurts
The sixth biggest reason was Jalen Hurts.
If he’s truly an elite franchise quarterback, this was the moment to prove it. When everything around you is falling apart—poor play-calling, drops, penalties—that’s when he was needed to elevate the team.
Hurts didn’t.
At best, he played a mediocre game. He didn’t take over. He didn’t make anything special happen.
I’m a huge Jalen Hurts fan, and I’ve defended him constantly. But in this game, he didn’t meet the standard. I predicted he’d be clutch. He wasn’t.
7. Pass Rush
The seventh biggest reason was the weak pass rush.
Brock Purdy was far too comfortable. With almost no pressure, he was able to sit in the pocket and pick apart the defense, finding wide receiver threes and fours with ease.
The Eagles generated just one sack. That’s unacceptable. In Kyle Shanahan’s system, if there’s no pressure, someone will get open. And that’s exactly what happened.
Final Word
Those are the seven biggest reasons the Eagles lost this deeply disappointing playoff game.
The loss hurt—but more importantly, it exposed everything that needs to change.
So What’s Next?
So what’s next?
As I wrap up Football Talks, there’s obviously a bit of sadness. It’s been a long season, and I wanted more than this ending. Unfortunately, this is what was given.
So again—what’s next?
There are three major things that have to be said coming out of this loss. Later this week, I’ll be dropping a much bigger post detailing exactly what my full offseason plan for the Eagles would be. That one is going to be big, and you’ll definitely want to read it when it comes out late this week, probably on Saturday.
For now, here are the three biggest takeaways to close the season.
Three Things That Have To Be Said
Before anything else, this needs to be clear:
The Eagles wasted a gem of a defense.
How good this defense was is something I truly can’t overstate. It was elite. And it was wasted.
1. A Gem of a Defense Was Wasted
This defense was special. One of the best units the Eagles have fielded in years. And despite that, it didn’t matter in the end.
When you have a defense this talented and still come up short, that’s a failure at the organizational level. Opportunities like that don’t come around often, and the Eagles let one slip away.
2. The Coordinator Has To Go
Secondly, the Eagles have to fire Kim Tillow.
Every fan knows it. Every person worth their salt who knows football knows it. Anyone who watches the Eagles closely understands this has to happen.
There’s no debate here. This isn’t reactionary. It’s overdue.
3. Nick Sirianni Has To Be Questioned
The third—and biggest—conversation that has to happen is about Nick Sirianni.
Is he really the guy the Eagles need moving forward?
Yes, he’s had success. Yes, people will say he builds culture. But if that’s the case, why is this team so undisciplined? Where is that culture when it matters most?
It wasn’t there.
So what does he actually do?
That’s a serious question. And it’s one the organization has to honestly answer. You can’t keep riding this roller coaster of Wild Card exits and dumpster fires followed by Super Bowl runs, only to crash again.
That inconsistency falls on the head coach.
At some point, you have to ask: do you move on from Nick Sirianni and find someone who can bring stability instead of constant extremes?
Final Thoughts
Those are the three biggest takeaways from this game, and from this season as a whole.
Later this week, there will be a much bigger post going up. This one was just meant to close the book on the season and highlight the seven biggest issues from the playoff loss.
And as sad as it is, the season is officially over.
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed Football Talks throughout the 2025 season. From here on out, the focus shifts to mock drafts, offseason trades, and player rankings. There’s a lot to break down, and it should be a fascinating offseason—even if it starts with disappointment.
On Saturday, I’ll have another post up breaking down every single move I’d make if I were the Eagles’ head honcho.
That’s coming soon.
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