As the Eagles faced off against the Falcons on Monday night, the absence of A.J. Brown loomed large. The star receiver had quietly hurt his hamstring during practice earlier in the week, leaving fans wondering if his presence could have changed the outcome of the game. It’s a question we’ll never have a definitive answer to, much like pondering what could have been if Saquon Barkley hadn’t dropped a crucial pass against the Falcons or if the defense hadn’t struggled under a lackluster scheme from their new coordinator.
Last week, Brown had a standout performance in Brazil, racking up 119 yards and a touchdown against the Packers. His absence against the Falcons was palpable, with Jalen Hurts unable to find his favorite target and the offense visibly missing its most dynamic playmaker. Despite other players stepping up, like Britain Covey and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles fell short in a close 22-21 loss.
Looking ahead to their next game against New Orleans, the Eagles will need to adjust to playing without Brown. Jahan Dotson, acquired in a trade for this specific reason, will be called upon to step up in the passing game. Head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the need for a shift in the game plan and utilizing different players to fill the void left by Brown’s absence.
While field goals have been on the rise in the NFL this season, Sirianni understands that relying solely on them won’t lead to victories, especially against a high-scoring team like the Saints. The offense will need to adjust quickly and overcome this early adversity to stay competitive in the league.
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