What Went Wrong: It's Not Always Sunny in Philadelphia

You know, we have spent the entire season so far enjoying the Kansas City Chiefs' downfall, and rightfully so. They started 0-2, got back on track winning back-to-back games, but then, they were defeated by a Jacksonville Jaguars team they had bested forever. Chiefs are 2-3 and are on the verge of being knocked down a few more pegs than they already are.

However, while we have been having fun kinda laughing at the Chiefs, we need to be looking at Super Bowl LIX's other team.

There have been problems with the Philadelphia Eagles for pretty much all season, but we didn't really realize it until close to a week ago. The Eagles were 4-0 entering Sunday's home game against the Broncos, but about two of those games could have been losses. They barely beat a Cowboys team who was coming off an embarrassing trade. They beat the Chiefs in a close one, but the last two wins were very suspect. I'll say the win against the Bucs was hard-earned, but they should have lost to the Rams.

It was right after the Eagles reached 4-0 that AJ Brown (#11) vented about not getting the ball, and it was reported that fellow receiver Devonta Smith (#6) had the same complaint. This gets tricky. Here's the thing. They have a legit gripe. I'm speaking as someone who has both receivers on fantasy this year, the numbers have been a letdown. But despite this, they were undefeated, and usually when I see that aspect, I always follow the simple saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

From what I saw in the game against Denver, they tried to fix it. Brown and Smith were getting the ball a bit more than usual, an attempt to quell any problems. Philly led 17-3, but they blew it in the fourth quarter. 18 unanswered points. An attempted Hail Mary blocked by Brown, inadvertently. Eagles lost for the first time this season, and it was a home loss. Philly's problems finishing games finally came back to bit them in the ass, and they would be back in action in just a few days. Thursday Night Football. They're on the road, but it's against the Giants, who have been a hot mess for a good bit. Perfect chance to get back on track, right?

Yeah, about that.

Eagles struck first with a field goal, but the Giants went up 13-3 afterwards. But have no fear, Philly put up a pair of TDs afterwards. Dallas Goedert scored after a pitch from Jalen Hurts, who later provided Philly's second TD after four straight Tush Pushes. Four. Eagles led 17-13, it was ugly, but all seemed to be right with the world. Then Cam Skattebo happened. And happened. And happened. Giants took the lead at halftime with a Skattebo touchdown run, and in the second half, he scored again. Jalen Hurts' attempt to get back in it resulted in his first INT of the season, which was almost returned all the way. Even so, it was a long return, capped off by another Skattebo touchdown--his third of the evening.

The Eagles lost, 34-17, to the New York football Giants on national TV. That's back-to-back losses after a 4-0 start. Even worse, this one was against the Giants. Even worse than that, the Giants were coming losing to, of all teams, the Saints. Oh, and you know who's coaching the Saints? Kellen Moore, who was the Eagles' offensive coordinator until the end of last year. Yeah.

People who purely hate Black QBs want to blame Hurts. He throws his first INT of the year, yet they act like it's his 10th. One Eagles "fan" said that Hurts is a mediocre QB. The "fan" who said that would put Hurts in Canton if Hurts was White. One of the people to blame for this: Saquon Barkley. Now it's unrealistic to expect him to duplicate last year's 2005 yard performance, but he should have more than 325 rushing yards by now. He has not run for the century mark this season.

But this wasn't the only embarrasing moment for Philly sports. Hell, it may not even be the most embarrassing for the city.

On the same day, but a few hours apart, the Philadelphia Phillies were playing Game Four of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was not a good series for Philly. They lost Games One and Two at home. They managed to take Game Three, but still needed to strike and take Game Four to earn a trip back home. It was a pitchers' duel, but Philly broke the ice in the seventh. 1-0, until a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the inning tied it up. It was 1-1 for the longest, even after regulation.

Then the 11th. Dodgers had the bases loaded. A grounder from Andy Pages is bobbled by pitcher Orion Kerkering. Even so, he had time to throw to first. There were two outs. Catcher J.T. Realmuto pointed to first. Instead, Kerkering throws home. Throw goes wild, run scores, Dodgers advance. It would be easy to blame Kerkering, but the real culprit was the key hitters not producing, especially Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber finished with 56 home runs, leading the National League. In the NLDS, next to nothing. He homered twice, but that was in Game Three. He was a ghost in the postseason, which is the last thing that should happen.

So the Dodgers are back in NLCS, set to defend their pennant against either the Milwaukee Brewers or the Chicago Cubs, who will play Game Five on Saturday. If the Brewers win, the Dodgers will be off to Milwaukee. If the Cubs win, the Dodgers will start the NLCS at home. As for Philadelphia, it did get worse. Not only did the Eagles and Phillies lose, the Flyers also lost. Yikes. But at least the Flyers are starting.

The Eagles will head to Minnesota next, and they better beat the Vikings. After that, they face the Giants again at home, and following their bye, it's off to Lambeau. As for the Phillies, this could be their last shot. Three years removed from their surprise pennant run, the team could be losing a lot of key players. Schwarber wants to stay, but a lot of others could be gone. This will be a very interesting offseason for the Phillies.