NFL Week 4 lowlights: Eagles' second-half struggles worsen in collapse vs. Rams

A goal-line stand by the Rams defense kicked Philly's demise into overdrive, but it truly began, once again, with a dreadful start to the second half. For the second week in a row, Philadelphia was held scoreless in the third and fourth quarters.

After entering halftime with a 20-10 advantage, the Eagles (2-2) gained 19 yards on three third-quarter drives (10 plays), including two three-and-outs and a turnover on downs at their own 38-yard line.

The defense could only hold up for so long before the Rams figured things out, whereas the Eagles found no solutions. It's beyond troubling that Philadelphia's offense continues to regress in second halves of games. Per Sumer Sports data, entering the late-afternoon window, the Eagles are tied for last with the Miami Dolphins (0-4) in expected points added (EPA) per play in the second half. For a team as talented as Philly, that's inexcusable. It speaks to poor coaching — an inability to make effect in-game adjustments, most prominently — that the issues arise week after week.

Head coach Nick Sirianni and the offensive staff's continued failures cost Philadelphia in Week 4. With a difficult international game against the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday, the Eagles may soon find themselves with a losing record if they can't find a solution to their second-half woes.

Worst quarterback performance: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

While Philly's coaching leaves plenty to be desired, Hurts deserves his own share of criticism after one of the worst starts of his career. When factoring in his rushing totals and sacks, Hurts averaged a stunningly low 2.4 yards per play against the Rams. He completed just 12-of-27 (44.4 percent) of his passes for 93 yards, including 10 in the second half, while losing 25 yards on four sacks and gaining 18 on five rush attempts.

The former Super Bowl MVP was painfully mediocre through three games, but Sunday marked his nadir. With Hurts playing the way he is, the Eagles are more pretender than contender.

Worst defensive performance: Indianapolis Colts cornerback Ahmad Gardner

Ahmad Gardner was once selected fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Gardner was also once acquired by the Colts for two future first-rounders. During Sunday's 30-13 international win over the Washington Commanders (1-3), Gardner was beat badly by Commanders third-string quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and wide receivers Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks. 

At least he provided value as a cheerleader.

On Burks' 47-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, Gardner made a bad read when curiously cutting toward the sideline as Burks ran straight downfield and caught the ball in stride at the goal line.

Later, Brown, who entered Sunday with four receptions for 21 yards this season, burned Gardner on a deep 48-yard completion.

Per NFL Pro's Next Gen Stats, Gardner finished Sunday allowing 117 receiving yards on five targets (four receptions) as the nearest coverage defender, the most he's allowed in his five-year career.

That isn't the type of game Indianapolis had in mind when making Gardner a centerpiece of the defense last November by acquiring him in exchange for 2026 and 2027 first-round picks (plus wide receiver Adonai Mitchell). The Colts (2-2) can't afford a repeat. They paid too much for it to happen once, let alone twice.

Worst injury: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton's ankle

Thornton, a 2022 second-round pick by the Patriots, was on pace for a personal best 612 receiving yards this season before putting together the best game of his career in a 30-27 win over the Las Vegas Raiders (3-1). That is, until a gruesome ankle injury ended his season.

Late in the fourth quarter and with Kansas City trailing, 19-17, Thornton caught his fifth pass of the game deep in Raiders territory to give him a career-high 111 receiving yards. But after getting up to celebrate the big gain, Thornton quickly fell back down, writhing in pain on the turf over the clearly serious injury before eventually being carted off the field.

"Awful to see what's clearly a devastating ankle injury for the Chiefs WR," NFL insider Mike Garafolo wrote on social media, an opinion no doubt felt by many others.

It's a gutting injury made worse because, as insider James Palmer noted, "Thornton had slowly become the player Patrick Mahomes really trusted, probably just behind [Travis] Kelce."

For a player just beginning to carve out a valuable role for himself, Thornton's injury is particularly cruel. And with wide receiver depth an issue for the Chiefs (4-0) — the team also lost Rashee Rice (hamstring) in the first quarter — it's unclear who will fill his void.