Eagles vs. Seahawks: 5 Things We Learned from Philadelphia's 31-14 Loss

If you didn't think the Eagles were done after last week's disaster at home against the Patriots, you have certainly been enlightened this week. The Eagles were blown out by the Tavaris Jackson-led Seattle Seahawks, 31-14.

The defense looked lost, the offense was a turnover machine and the special teams lost the last player with any heart on this team, Colt Anderson. It was just an overall ugly night for the Eagles.

The only good thing for the Eagles players is that they didn't play at home. The Eagles faithful would have let the players know how bad they played Thursday night, and they would have every right to.

Now at 4-8, Eagles fans can start recovering from a horrible 2011 season and start looking forward to the 2012 NFL draft.

1. Juan Castillo Has Lost His Defense

Juan Castillo has completely lost his defense. Players looked lost in coverage. His safeties, Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen, can't cover anyone. His linebackers looked confused in zone coverage and are taking bad angles against the run. The defensive line is playing their hearts out but are getting zero help.

The defense gave up 148 rushing yards to Marshawn Lynch and 190 yards through the air from quarterback Tavaris Jackson, who had just three incompletions. The defense has now given up 69 points in the last two games after holding the Giants to 10 points.

There is zero chance that Juan Castillo will be brought back next season. It takes time for a new defensive coordinator to implement his system, but when you start losing players, it's time to go. The defense looks confused and lacks any heart whatsoever.

Good news for the Eagles is that it could potentially be a buyer's market for defensive coordinators with Jack Del Rio, Leslie Frazier and Steve Spagnulo all possibly being unemployed after the season.

2. DeSean Jackson Doesn't Care Anymore

DeSean Jackson wants a new contract, but after the last two games there is no way the Eagles front office would be willing to pay him the type of money he is demanding. Jackson finished the night with four catches for 34 yards and zero touchdowns.

Jackson was constantly jogging through his routes and was completely by himself on the sidelines. Maybe he was hurt, but it seems to me that Jackson's contract is his number one priority right now.

The lack of effort from Jackson is killing the offense, especially without Jeremy Maclin. It's hard to imagine that Jackson will be back next season. He has four games left to prove to the Eagles front office and the fanbase that he deserves his big contract or even a franchise tag at this point.

3. Eagles Linebackers Look Like Backups at Best

We knew coming into the season that the linebackers play would be an issue, but this has been ridiculous. Jamar Chaney has missed more tackles than any player who anchors the middle of the defense should miss. Akeem Jordan was ineffective against the run. Brian Rolle played hard as usual, but a 5'10" linebacker can't carry a defense.

Chaney has continued to struggle in zone coverage. Despite his outstanding speed at the position, Chaney has been a major weakness in pass coverage all season and Thursday night was no exception. It seemed the Seahawks receivers were open over the middle all night. Jackson converted a critical third down with a 26-yard pass to Ben Obomanu over the middle as Jamar Chaney and Kurt Coleman couldn't figure out who was supposed to cover Obomanu.

Linebacker will be the number one need going into the offseason. Expect at least one linebacker being taken in one of the Eagles' first three picks in the first two rounds.

4. Eagles Receivers Can't Catch the Football Consistently

The Eagles' wide receivers and tight ends have become completely unreliable. No one can even be counted on to catch a simple pass anymore. Clay Harbor dropped a screen pass in the third quarter and Riley Cooper dropped a pass that turned into one of Vince Young's four interceptions.

DeSean Jackson is disinterested, Riley Cooper is a backup at best and the loss of Jeremy Maclin is much greater than anyone could of anticipated. The once great receiving core of the Eagles has become mediocre at best.

You can't blame it all on a backup quarterback who is playing without the weapons that Michael Vick had just a month ago. This offense doesn't scare anybody anymore. The fast-break offense has become slow and predictable.

5. LeSean McCoy Is Still Great

The lone bright spot on what has been a very dark and dreary season has been LeSean McCoy. Nobody has played harder on the Eagles offense and no one has had a bigger season. McCoy now leads the NFL in rushing with over 1,100 yards. He also has 15 total touchdowns.

McCoy is starting to draw comparisons to Barry Sanders of all people. McCoy has gone well over 400 carries without fumbling the football. He should be a lock for the Pro Bowl and would easily be an MVP candidate if the Eagles were anywhere near a playoff contender.

Expect McCoy to be the first Eagle to get a new deal, not DeSean Jackson. Through the horrible 2011 season, McCoy has kept his head held high and fought through a toe injury that was obviously painful all night. He finished Thursday night with 84 rushing yards and 49 receiving yards and one touchdown. He has scored a touchdown in all but one game this season.