The Eagles’ decision to switch up defensive play callers this week against the Seahawks didn’t pan out.
Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni made the move this week to have senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia call defensive plays over defensive coordinator Sean Desai. The Eagles’ defense had struggled in its previous three games, allowing an average of 451.7 yards. And while they allowed 297 yards on Monday night (against Seattle backup quarterback Drew Lock), their fewest since Week 7, they lost the game when Jaxon Smith-Njigba beat James Bradberrry for the game-winning touchdown with 28 seconds left.
Former NFL tight end Clay Harbor, who spent three years with the Eagles, questioned Patricia’s decision to leave Bradberry on an island against the speedy rookie.
I really don’t know what Matt Patricia is Doing is here.
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) December 19, 2023
It’s 3rd and 10 and you leave Bradberry one on one? Who’s know as a bad man player? And you’re only rushing 4? I don’t get It. #FlyEaglesFly #Eagles pic.twitter.com/O5u2JNUgEa
Bradberry was the best coverage corner in the NFL last season, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, but he has historically been more effective in zone coverage than man-to-man.
Bradberry explained after the game that he got beaten by Smith-Njigba because he was expecting the receiver to run his route to the first-down marker, rather than the end zone.
“Nothing, really,” Bradberry said when asked what he could have done differently on the play, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. “He just ran past me because I was sitting at the sticks.”
Bradberry also gave up three catches to DK Metcalf earlier in the drive to allow the Seahawks to get into position for Smith-Njigba’s crushing blow. Overall, Bradberry wasn’t happy with how his night went.
“Very frustrating,” he said. “I’ve got to play better. I just didn‘t play well today.”
