Nobody was expecting the Philadelphia Eagles to reach the Super Bowl this season, but they were supposed to be better than their current record suggests and at least be competitive for a playoff spot. After another loss on Sunday afternoon to the Las Vegas Raiders though, the Eagles now sit at 2-5 for the season and find themselves three games back of NFC East division leaders the Dallas Cowboys.
After the game, Eagles’ players couldn’t help but vent their frustrations with how the season has gone thus far.
“Time is running out. We’re at a point in the season where we’re 2-5,” said Eagles’ safety Rodney McLeod to members of the media following his team’s loss, via BleedingGreenNation.com. “Of course, we didn’t want to be in this position but honestly time is running out and we have to make a stand and we have to make a push. It was just in my heart to say that and I know that at the end of the day we’re going to come back and we’re going to respond the way we should.”
The Eagles put up a valiant effort last week against the defending Super Bowl champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in primetime on Thursday night, but still ultimately fell short 28-22. However, fans were able to forgive the loss as their team showed heart and character in defeat and were massive underdogs heading into the contest. The same could not be said of week seven’s loss to the Raiders. Philadelphia found themselves down 30-7 heading into the fourth quarter and were actually favorites coming into the tilt.
Eagles’ defensive tackle Fletcher Cox also vented to the media following the game, explaining that he is used to playing much more aggressively.
“Honestly, it’s just not what it’s been. Obviously, you just have to play what’s being called, and when you’re so used to playing so aggressively the last, however many years I’ve been playing, it just changed. So, you can’t just be as aggressive, kind of got to play what’s being called.” Cox said.
The 30-year-old has spent his entire career with the Eagles after he was drafted with the 12th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Despite all of his experience though, he isn’t happy with the current game.
“I don’t get paid to play screens, I get paid to sack the quarterback, play in the backfield, tackle. I don’t get paid to play screens. Get a screen, we get screened all the time, just get out of the stack and run to the football.” The veteran continued.
Fortunately for Eagles’ fans, the schedule does get easier in week eight when they pay a visit to the Detroit Lions. The Lions remain the only winless team in the NFL sitting at 0-7, so the Eagles will have no excuses if they cannot get the job done against Dan Campbell’s men. The Eagles and Lions will kick off from Detroit’s Ford Field on October 31st at 1 p.m. ET.
