Mark Sanchez, Eagles Fall Back to Earth with Crushing Loss to Surging Packers

Did you hear that loud, crackling thud? That was the sound of the Philadelphia Eagles and their quarterback Mark Sanchez falling back down to earth after suffering a 53-20 loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packers in Week 11.

On the Football Night in America broadcast, host Dan Patrick mentioned the Eagles hadn't given up that many points since 1972, and it's clear Green Bay, Wisconsin, has become one of scariest places in the country for NFL franchises to travel.

Aaron Rodgers and his Packers are quickly cementing themselves as Super Bowl favorites. In fact, in back-to-back weeks at Lambeau Field, they've hung over 50 points on their opponents. As Bleacher Report's Michael Schottey pointed out, this was a first for Green Bay:

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First time Packers have ever scored 50 in back-to-back games.

— Michael Schottey (@Schottey) November 17, 2014"

This week, the Eagles were on the receiving end of that scoring explosion.

Let's be clear about one thing: Sanchez wasn't the only reason the Eagles' wings were clipped. The Packers offense was unstoppable and even got help from defensive back Micah Hyde, who took a punt back 75 yards for a touchdown.

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

Nevertheless, Sanchez certainly didn't help the situation.

When you open up the box score, at first glance his final numbers don't look horrible. On 44 passing attempts, he completed 26 for 346 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. But you need to dig deeper.

Sanchez not only threw two picks, he also lost two fumbles—one was actually a bad snap. Committing four turnovers is inexcusable for a quarterback. Had it not been for Eli Manning tossing five interceptions of his own, Sanchez would have been the worst signal-caller from the NFC East in Week 11.

Operating in a quarterback-friendly system, Sanchez became the feel-good story of the season last week when he helped decimate the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football. But following his most recent showing, Pro Football Focus' Pete Damilatis tweeted what we were all thinking:

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Here lies the Mark Sanchez Resurrection Narrative. Born Nov. 10th, 2014, Died Nov. 16th 2014.

— Pete Damilatis (@PFF_Pete) November 17, 2014"

It's hard to ever picture Sanchez being a consistently dominant quarterback, even with Chip Kelly serving as resident puppet master. There's a reason the New York Jets moved on four years after selecting him No. 5 overall in the draft.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

When you get a chance to digest the film and expose Sanchez's flaws, it's easier to come to terms with his limitations as a player. The formula has been there from the start: When you regularly flood Sanchez with pressure, he becomes a flawed commodity. The Packers did just that. They were able to shake his confidence, registering four quarterback hits and putting him under constant duress.

Even with the humbling loss to arguably the hottest team in football, this isn't the time to panic in Philadelphia. Kelly's squad is still 7-3, which ties it with the Dallas Cowboys for the best record in the division. And going off his postgame remarks, Kelly doesn't seem too worked up about how his club will respond, per Jeff McLane of the The Philadelphia Inquirer:

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Chip Kelly on the #Eagles following blowout loss to Packers: "I know these guys come to work. And they'll be ready next week."

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) November 17, 2014"

Next week is a chance to get back on track against the 2-7 Tennessee Titans. It's also a chance for Sanchez to bounce back.

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

This Eagles team has been good all season even though it's hit its fair share of bumps in the road. The offense is explosive—we know that. Plus, when the defense can generate a pass rush, positive things tend to happen on that side of the ball.

Even with all of his flaws and the realization that he isn't the long-term answer at quarterback, if kept upright, Sanchez is still capable enough to help the Eagles win a division title. And, folks, that's what matters the most at this point in time.