'Oh, spit!': Five major red flags loom large for Eagles despite big Week 1 win

Besides the Carter penalty ejection, Philadelphia was called for four personal fouls on defense. (Overall, the Eagles committed nine penalties for 110 yards.) The defense survived its undisciplined night, but this isn't the way championship teams handle themselves. 

CB Adoree' Jackson a weak link

Dallas' offensive game plan was clear from the first snap: Pick on Jackson until he proves he can stop the Cowboys. Unfortunately for the Eagles, that moment never came. 

From blown coverages to missed tackles to pass interference penalties, Jackson hit for the ineptitude cycle. Opponents will watch this tape and build their entire offensive strategy around targeting Jackson while avoiding his defensive backfield mates, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. If Kelee Ringo or Jakorian Bennett can't steal the CB2 spot, the Eagles may need to explore another trade. 

Eagles run blocking worrisome

Philadelphia's offensive line, which is normally a strength, was underwhelming. Saquon Barkley managed 60 rushing yards on 18 carries, and he only reached that number thanks to some ballerina-esque moves to avoid getting tackled behind the line of scrimmage. Dallas' defensive line won the battle of the trenches far too often. 

To make matters worse, left guard Landon Dickerson left the game in the second half because of a back injury and didn't return. Dickerson also underwent knee surgery in August, so this is a troubling start to his 2025 season. 

Passing game under OC Kevin Patullo

Eagles fans figured it would take some time for Patullo, the first-time offensive coordinator, to find a groove as a play-caller. They likely didn't expect the passing game to look so lifeless against a Micah Parsons-less Cowboys defense. 

Hurts finished with only 152 passing yards, though he was efficient with 19 completions on only 23 attempts. WR A.J. Brown didn't get a target until toward the end of the fourth quarter, and WR DeVonta Smith had a pedestrian 16 yards on three catches. Patullo must find a way to get Brown and Smith more touches. 

Pass rush without Jalen Carter

It's tough to judge Philadelphia's defensive line considering it played a full game without its best player, but there are still reasons to worry about this group. The Eagles didn't record a sack, as D-linemen Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt struggled to generate pressure on Prescott. 

This unit thrives when the defensive line can speed up the quarterback and the ball-hawking secondary can make aggressive plays on forced throws. Smith and Hunt must step up with 2024 Eagles defensive linemen Milton Williams (Patriots) and Josh Sweat (Cardinals) now donning different uniforms.