The "Evict Nick" bandwagon is gaining steam
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Look at that pouty Bird. Photo: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Bad things happen to good teams, and sometimes those bad things are named Nick Sirianni.
Why it matters: Back-to-back late-game blunders have the Eagles head coach on the hot seat again, just five weeks into the season.
State of play: Around this time last year, Sirianni was almost being fitted for a gold Hall of Fame jacket.
- The Eagles were still basking in the glow of the franchise's second Super Bowl win, and Sirianni had signed a five-year contract extension earlier that year.
- He was even being mentioned as one of the Eagles' all-time great coaches, rivaling Andy Reid, the Birds' winningest head coach.
The big picture: After three straight losses — two in heartbreaking fashion — the Birds are no longer the Kelly green envy of the league.
- Sirianni is fending off a mob of disillusioned fans and pundits who want to see him become the first NFL coach fired this season.
Catch up quick: Sirianni has had back-to-back weeks of poor game management.
- He blamed himself for the Birds' latest London meltdown — a late-game kickoff return that set up the Jaguars' walk-off field goal as time expired.
- Instead of kicking the ball into the end zone for a touchback, the Eagles kept the kickoff in play, giving Jacksonville an opportunity for a big return — despite Josh Cameron's 90-yard return of the opening kickoff that was called back because of a penalty.
Flashback: The pain was intensified for Eagles fans after watching the Rams overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit the week before.
- Sirianni decided to go for it on fourth down near the goal line instead of kicking a field goal that would've put the Birds up 13 with under eight minutes left.
What they're saying: Some Axios Philly readers want Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to hand Sirianni his walking papers, while others think it's too early in the season to cut bait with a head coach who has won nearly 70% of the regular-season games he's coached.
- "I think Sirianni has worn out his welcome, but it's ridiculous to put that on himself," Lucas Q. says. "His team should be able to cover a kick."
- "Playoffs every year, Great culture guy. Yes, he made a mistake on Sunday. No one is perfect," Matthew H. writes. "I think we will win the division. I hope he stays for a long time."
Yes, but: Reader David B. says it's time to "boot" not-so-slick Nick.
Reality check: Pack away the pitchforks and torches for a few more weeks, Eagles Nation — unless they're part of your Halloween costumes.
- Matthew H. has a good point: The NFC East-leading Giants are without starting quarterback Jaxson Dart for the rest of the season, and have earned the nickname "Code Blue" because they're barely scratching out wins.
- But just as the Giants are unlikely to keep scratching out wins, the Eagles are unlikely to keep finding new ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
The bottom line: If you need any more solace, just remember: How about dem 2-3 Cowboys?