It appears that the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles -- with some new pieces and a fresh spin about how they've learned -- are a lot like the 2023 Eagles.
Because with an 18-15 lead, 1:46 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Falcons without a timeout on their own 10, Philadelphia turned what looked like a sure win and a milk-the-clock situation into a moment to forget: Running back Saquon Barkley dropped an easy pass on third-and-3, the Eagles were forced to kick a field goal and then Atlanta marched 70 yards on six plays for a touchdown to stun Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field crowd with a 22-21 win.
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The late-game script was a microcosm of the collapse during the 2023 season, when Philadelphia lost six of its seven games after a 10-1 start. This one stunned nearly the entire NFL world, with ESPN describing the Eagles' chances to win with 1:56 remaining (two plays before Barkley's drop) at 97.6%.
Troy Aikman, on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" post-game show
Well, it's a risk-reward call, right? I mean, it's not what I expected. I thought it was a play in which you get [Jalen] Hurts outside, if it's there, take it. If it's not, you keep it, and you go to the ground, let the clock run and then make your decision [on what to do on fourth down].
But [Barkley] was open, and they don't execute it. It's the National Football League, so you're playing aggressively. You get exactly what you want, and then it's just simply not executed.
And obviously, there's going to be a lot of talk about that. We're talking about it. They're going to be talking about it in the locker room, at the press conferences after this ballgame.
But then defensively, they're unable to make stop. I mean, those were big chunks. They got down there in a hurry.
So it's a collapse by a lot of people there at the end for them not to be walking off this field victorious.
Joe Buck, on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" post-game show
I don't think I've ever been as shocked as fast with how this game ended.
Nick Wright, FS1 host, on X
Listen, you may have just lost a game that you had no business losing, at home, as a big favorite, against a team who looked dead in Week 1, to lose your 7th in last 9 games.
BUT at least Big Dom got to be featured in the ESPN pregame!
Super serious, championship operation.
Jordan Raanan, ESPN's Giants beat writer, on X
That is one of the warts in Saquon Barkley's game. Tremendous player but that was his 16th drop since the start of the 2021 season, the most among running backs.
Andrew Desiderio, Puck News reporter, on X
What a disaster. Had a million chances to win that game, including taking the FG in the 1st quarter. Disgraceful
Falcons fans deserved that after ESPN gave you an Eagles hometown broadcast.
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