In what felt like record time, club music faded into boos. The visual of Quinyon Mitchell picking off a Brock Purdy pass, running into the end zone to celebrate and firing the football 13 rows into the stands with the veracity of a cricket bowler, was followed shortly by another slow trot off the field by Jalen Hurts. Then the Eagles’ defense—clearly the fun parent—having to make another appearance to quell the emotional damage brought on by the take-your-medicine offense; a nonstop array of steamed vegetables and early, sensible bedtimes that, at best, provided a respite for those who needed time at the concession stand.
Here lies the confounding nature of the Eagles’ offense in one truncated segment after a disappointing 23–19 loss to the 49ers in the NFC wild-card round of the playoffs—especially what the offense turns into once it grasps even the thinnest modicum of a lead. Up three points at the half, Philadelphia came out and ran the ball twice in 11-personnel before being boxed into a third-down pass, which was dropped by Saquon Barkley.
