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3 Fatal Flaws That Could End Eagles' Playoff Run

By Scott Rogust

The Eagles have three flaws that can end any chance of a Super Bowl trip.
The Eagles have three flaws that can end any chance of a Super Bowl trip. / Steven Ryan/Getty Images

The NFC East (aka the Hot Potato Division) finally has a champion in the Philadelphia Eagles. With their win over the New York Giants on Sunday, the Eagles will now host a playoff game in the Wild Card Round against the Seattle Seahawks.

Philadelphia's berth came on a relatively easy schedule in the month of December, making a legitimate playoff run that much more difficult. Here are three flaws this Eagles team could fall victim to early on in the postseason.

3. Carson Wentz's Lack of Playoff Experience

Next week will be Carson Wentz's first playoff game in four years. How will he handle the pressure?
Next week will be Carson Wentz's first playoff game in four years. How will he handle the pressure? / Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Wentz has been in the league for four seasons. In three of those years, the Eagles have made the playoffs. Yet, next weekend will be Wentz's first-ever postseason game. Wentz missed the past two playoff runs due to knee and back injuries, resulting in the Eagles leaning on Nick Foles. Now, with Foles in Jacksonville, this is Wentz's chance to silence the critics. But the real question is: is Wentz ready for the big moment? He'll be facing a seasoned vet in Russell Wilson on Sunday, so the challenge will be difficult.

2. Injuries to Star Players

The Eagles injury bug has left them with little depth on both sides of the ball.
The Eagles injury bug has left them with little depth on both sides of the ball. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The injury bug hitting the Eagles is a massive understatement. DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Malik Jackson, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Corey Clement and Ronald Darby are all on season-ending injured reserve. Not to mention the likes of Lane Johnson, Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz missed Week 17 due to additional ailments. Miles Sanders and Brandon Brooks both left with injuries during the regular-season finale. Any further injuries will only diminish their chances of making a run, especially against a stacked NFC playoff picture. If Sanders, Ertz and Brooks can't go on Sunday, it's going to be bad for Philly.

1. Suspect Secondary

Even when healthy, the Eagles secondary is extremely suspect.
Even when healthy, the Eagles secondary is extremely suspect. / Eric Espada/Getty Images

Put aside the numerous injuries on both sides of the ball. Even when healthy, the Eagles secondary is extremely susceptible to surrendering big yards and touchdowns. This unit has allowed 239.3 passing yards per game, but more importantly, its given up 17 40-plus yard plays this season, which is the second-most in the NFL. Their playoff opponents would be wise to throw the ball at will against these defensive backs.