10 Reasons the Philadelphia Eagles Won't Make the Playoffs

The Philadelphia Eagles will not make it into the NFL playoffs this year, and not just because of the start they have made.  The Eagles shouldn't have any troubles coming out on top in the NFC East, but for a number of reasons they won't.

Forget about those fans who are blinded by the passion they have for the Eagles, claiming they will storm to a division title in the second half of the season, but take a second to look at the big picture. Forget that they beat the Rams in the opening weekend of the NFL (big deal), or that Rex Grossman handed them a victory against the Redskins in Week 6, things are not at all well for the Eagles.

The NFL is tough, real tough, but teams don't start a season 2-4 without there being a number of reasons.  The Eagles have problems—10 problems that mean they will not make the playoffs.

10. History

Since the playoff system changed back in 2002 there have only been five teams to make a 1-4 start to the season and make the playoffs.

That says it all really, highlighting just how tough the next 11 weeks will be for the Eagles.

Despite being in a division that could be classed as weak when compared to others, the Eagles face a huge uphill battle to make it into a playoff spot.

9. New Faces

Since the end of last season the Eagles have seen as many as 13 players leave the roster, and another 12 brought in, and that is before players that were drafted.

With such a big turnover and so many new faces on the roster it would have been easy to say—especially with a restricted preseason—that the Eagles were just taking time to settle.

But to go along with the big changes on the field, there have also been a lot of changes off the field, with as many as five key coaching staff also on the way out things can't be easy.

A new defensive coordinator, as well as new offensive and defensive line coaches this season are clearly having an effect on the Eagles, and this season could be viewed as a bedding in period for the new staff and players.

The Eagles could, and probably will, take a whole lot longer than six games to settle down, and whilst optimists will take the positives from the Redskins victory and claim all is looking good, there is still a long way to go.

8. Fourth Quarter Nerves

The Eagles have proven they are more than capable of scoring and have made some great starts in games this season, including building leads against the 49ers and the Redskins. 

Those games should have well and truly been killed off in advance of the final few minutes of the game.  But they weren’t.  In fact, going into the fourth quarter, the Eagles have held the lead in all but one game (vs. the Bills), and they have only converted two of those leads into wins.

The Eagles may have clung on to be victorious against the Redskins, but that has only papered over the cracks left after their demoralising loss to the 49ers, as well as three other fourth quarter defeats.

Their lack of ability to take full advantage of field position, especially when leading, will leave the Eagles exposed and under pressure in the final quarter, and they have already shown this season they will leak points when under pressure in the fourth.

7. New York Giants

The NFC East is probably the most even out of the NFC divisions, with fans of all four teams expecting a good showing and having playoff expectations.  Still, it looks like the Giants will be the ones making it through this year.

Hakeem Nicks seems to still have another gear in him, and whilst not setting the league alight, the Giants seem like they will have what it takes to push on at the business end of the season.

The experience of Eli Manning as quarterback will help the youthful quartet of Nicks, Manningham, Bradshaw and Cruz to put in some strong offensive performances in what could be a difficult period.

Even with games against the Packers, Patriots and Saints in the second half of the season the Giants are still likely to take the divisional title.

6. John Beck

Rex Grossman threw four interceptions against the Eagles in Week 6, but there is a lot of talk suggesting that will be one poor performance too many from Grossman.

John Beck is waiting in the wings, and he will be determined to prove he should have been starting ahead of Grossman all along, and he will help see the Redskins improve their (already better than Philly) record.

Beck will come in and give the whole offense a boost, playing with the enthusiasm and desire that appears to have been lacking in Grossman.  The Redskins will see themselves up to stay one step ahead of the Eagles.

5. Detroit Lions

With the Giants likely to take the NFC East title the Eagles will need a miracle to get through as a wild card.  Even if they do manage to sneak ahead of the Redskins, they still won't control their fate.

The Packers and Lions are both look like they'll be ending the season with superb records, with the Lions likely to finish behind the Packers in the NFC North but with a better record than some division winners.

That pretty much rules out any other team as far as the wild card goes.

4. Turnovers

With 11 interceptions thrown already this season, and a turnover ration of -8, things are not going as well as they should for the Eagles offense.

Look elsewhere and you will see there are not a lot of problems when the Eagles can keep hold of the ball. They even lead the league in average rushing yards and are an impressive third in average yards gained.

And yet the Eagles find themselves with a 2-4 record because of the turnovers they have allowed.

They now find themselves in a difficult situation, either they remain aggressive and continue to turnover the ball, or they concentrate on retaining possession, which will likely make the Eagles more conservative on offense. 

3. The Schedule

The Eagles have possibly one of the easiest schedules in the league on paper, but after the disappointing start even that schedule looks to be too much for the Eagles.

The Eagles will need to win eight of their last 10 if they are to have any real chance of clinching a playoff spot when earlier points are considered.  But even with an "easy" schedule they will find it almost impossible to face the Patriots, Bears, Jets, Cowboys and Giants, and come away with three wins—and that is before the rest of the schedule is considered.

2. Defensive Frailties

Whilst pass defense has been pretty solid so far for the Eagles, they have not faced the most illustrious of quarterbacks so far this season.  Tony Romo, an in form Jay Cutler, the experienced Eli Manning (again) and Tom Brady are all set to challenge the Eagles pass defense before the end of November.  Only then will we really see how well it holds up.

Even if they do maintain standing as one of the top pass defense teams in the league, it is clear they need to work on some other areas. 

The Eagles are down among the worst in the league when it comes to rush defense, and opponents will look to expose that, with top quality teams able to create passing opportunities as a result of additional rush coverage.

Offensive play has been more than good enough to see the Eagles atop of the division with a 5-1 record, but their defense has ensured they are in a very different position.

1. Andy Reid

Andy Reid is a Philadelphia Eagles and NFL legend.  What he has achieved at the Eagles is phenomenal considering the position they were in when he took over at the franchise, but now is the time for him to step aside and allow someone else to take over as head coach.

With changes in personnel already in the summer it would make sense for Reid to bring in a new head coach to replace him at this stage.  It seems unlikely that will happen though.

Since their 2004 appearance in the Super Bowl the Eagles have lost six or more games in all but one season (where they lost five), a record that has seen them fail to capitalize on a division they should really be dominating.

Yes, they were in first place last year, but with a record of 10-6, something that is not going to happen this year.  The time for change is now—bring in some fresh ideas and some new enthusiasm.

Reid already acts as executive vice president of football operations at the Eagles, and a move into that role full time would allow him to support a new coach at the club.  Any such move would freshen up the Eagles and put them back on track, if not this year, in 2012.

Reid is unlikely to favor a move, and will be desperate to remain as head coach in search of that elusive Super Bowl ring, but sadly, his time has passed—it's time to do the honourable thing and step aside.