By Tom Brennan
Nick Sirianni accepted the blame for terrible play-calling.
Which is good because who else would be to blame?
“I don’t think I called good plays in that area,” Sirianni said. “There’s going to be times where you’re going to look at it and be like, ‘Ah, I want those calls back.’ When they work, it was a good play. They didn’t.
“It was my fault. I didn’t call good enough plays right there, I didn’t put the players in good enough positions. It’s on (me), but we’re all in this together, coaches and players.”
None of the four plays the Eagles tried after getting to the 1-yard line worked but the trick play called on 4th down is the real head-scratcher.
“I felt confident in the play. The play looked good in practice last week. Felt confident in the coverage we were getting and they didn’t play it. That happens sometimes.”
On the play, Jalen Hurts took the snap and handed off to DeVonta Smith, who pitched it to former college quarterback Greg Ward, rolling right. Hurts was the intended target of the play but was covered. Instead of attempting to run it in or throw it into an area where there was a chance of a completion or a penalty, Ward tossed it way over Hurts’ head and out of the back of the end zone.
Unlike the Philly Special, this play didn’t fool the defense and it ended in disaster.
.@Eagles sequence of plays at the 1 yard line with a chance to go up 10-0 is one that leaves you scratching your head. I have no idea what they are trying to do. Does anyone know? #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/K1LcFF6qV0
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 20, 2021
