‘Jeff Stoutland University’ remembered, Saquon Barkley scrutiny, and more from the Eagles-Commanders broadcast
NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark detailed the lengths Barkley was going through to stay loose: "He has not sat down." Meanwhile, Jordan Mailata offered a now-classic shoutout to his former coach.
After jumping out to an early 10-point lead, the Eagles struggled to muster anything on offense and lost, 27-10, to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night in Landover, Md.
The loss marks the Eagles’ sixth in a row, their longest skid since 2012, as they tumbled to 2-6. The Commanders (2-4-1) tormented Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee, who completed 23 of 34 attempts for 212 yards. McKee, starting in his third consecutive game, was sacked five times, threw one interception, and also had a fumble.
With the loss, the Eagles move to last place in the NFC East.
If you took a week off for your mental health or just couldn’t tune in, here’s what you may have missed from Sunday night’s broadcast on NBC:
Jeff Stoutland University
Player introductions have long been a staple of Sunday Night Football. Through the years, players have become increasingly inventive with their introductions. Since coming into the league, Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata has introduced himself as “Jordan Mailata, Jeff Stoutland University” — a nod to the former Eagles offensive line coach.
In February, Stoutland University shuttered its doors when the longtime coach parted ways with the Eagles after 13 years. Even after Stoutland’s exit, Mailata’s introduction remained the same on Sunday’s broadcast.
Stoutland’s absence was apparent on Sunday as the offensive line continued to struggle. Along with allowing five sacks, the Eagles’ linemen committed costly penalties down the stretch.
In the fourth quarter, a false start from right tackle Markel Bell caused the team to abandon going for it on fourth down. On the ensuing field goal attempt, Mailata was assessed a 5-yard illegal formation penalty. Jake Elliott’s 41-yard try doinked off the top of the upright.
The NFL’s cameras caught Mailata throwing a tablet following the miss.
Mike Tomlin’s take
In his first season as an analyst on NBC’s Football Night in America, Mike Tomlin hasn’t held any punches.
Following the Cleveland Browns’ Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach quoted his former wideout, JuJu Smith-Schuster, saying, “the Browns is the Browns.” The comment got the attention of Cleveland coach Todd Monken, who said his team “took that to heart.” Then, in Week 3, Tomlin called the Dallas Cowboys’ decision to play man coverage late in the team’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens “somewhat negligent.”
» READ MORE: Sean Mannion is the biggest problem plaguing the Eagles offense. Fire him. | Hayes
Compared to other coaches-turned-analysts, Tomlin’s bluntness is different. Before Sunday night’s game kicked off, Tomlin offered a frank assessment of the Eagles’ attitude following the team’s 38-21 loss to the Cowboys last week.
“I didn’t necessarily like the words that I heard coming out of Philadelphia,” Tomlin said. “It didn’t sound like owning it, particularly as it pertains to the defense in that last performance. And for those reasons, I think Washington’s going to fight harder and longer and win the game tonight.”
Tomlin — along with the rest of the SNF crew, which picked Washington to win — was proved correct.
“Although Philly had a 10-point lead, as the game wore on, you felt like Washington was in a better mental state,” Tomlin said. “And the plays that come with that follow.”
» READ MORE: Grading the Eagles' loss to the Washington Commanders
Saquon Barkley staying loose
Saquon Barkley was far from 100% on Sunday, but that was not going to stop the Eagles running back from playing.
Barkley has been dealing with a lingering hamstring injury, which has cost him two games already. Then, last week, his back tightened up during the Eagles’ Monday Night Football loss. Barkley’s availability was in question this week before he logged a limited practice on Friday.
“One day, I’m not going to be playing football,” Barkley told reporters earlier this week. “Whenever that is, and I’m going to look back, I don’t want to look back and be like, ‘I could have given it a chance and I didn’t.’ It’s kind of what I live by.”
His commitment was on full display Sunday. In the first quarter, Barkley took a direct snap into the end zone for a 3-yard score. Following the touchdown, the broadcast showed Barkley stretching on the sideline. NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark detailed the lengths he was going through to stay loose.
“We’ve been watching Saquon down here battling those hamstring and back injuries,” Stark said. “He has not sat down. He’s constantly stretching, constantly moving, backward bends, forward bends. … He told us he’s tired of going in the medical tent, and he wants to be out there in the fourth quarter when his team needs him.”
Barkley finished with 13 carries for 30 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 24-yard reception.
When Jalen Carter is at his game-wrecking best, he’s as unstoppable a force as there is in the NFL. Such was the case during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run two years ago. But since then, between injuries and uneven play, the defensive tackle’s contributions have been inconsistent. On the heels of general manager Howie Roseman signing Carter to a historic contract, The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane looks at the costs of the extension — both in terms of dollars and cents, as well as roster construction. Plus, Jeff advances storylines for the Nov. 10th NFL trade deadline, and, in his weekly mailbag, addresses some reporting about the Eagles’ salary cap situation. Listen here.
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