The Philadelphia Eagles won’t be repeating as Tremendous Bowl champions this 12 months, as they suffered a 23-19 loss to Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers within the wild card spherical of the NFL playoffs. Jalen Hurts had an opportunity to steer a game-winning drive late within the fourth quarter, however could not transfer the chains on a fourth-and-11 on the 49ers’ 21-yard line.
Extensive receiver A.J. Brown was a significant storyline on this matchup, as he caught three of seven targets for simply 25 yards and didn’t make a catch within the closing three quarters. Brown additionally had a few uncharacteristic drops and needed to be separated from coach Nick Sirianni late within the first half following a type of drops on a 3rd down.
Take a look at what occurred:
On the halftime break, Sirianni instructed sideline reporter Erin Andrews, “Feelings, they run excessive particularly within the playoffs.” After the sport, Sirianni instructed reporters that he ran down the sideline in the direction of Brown in an try and get him off the sphere since they have been about to punt the ball away. This was additionally hypothesized by NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.
“I like A.J., I feel he is aware of how I really feel about him,” Sirianni stated after the sport. “I’ve a particular relationship with him. We have most likely went by way of each emotion you’ll be able to presumably have collectively. We have laughed collectively, we have cried collectively, we have yelled at one another, we’re each emotional.”
Whereas Sirianni spoke to reporters following the conclusion of Philly’s season, Brown didn’t. Brown hugged his teammates within the locker room after which left with out taking questions, per the Philly Voice.
What occurred Sunday very effectively may have rubbed the Eagles’ fan base the unsuitable means. Brown has been important of Philly’s offense a number of occasions this 12 months, after which didn’t produce with the season on the road.
In November, Brown stated on a reside stream that he had been struggling and joked that fantasy soccer gamers ought to drop him. When streamer jankyrondo requested Brown how he was, he stated this:
“No. The place have you ever been?” Brown replied with fun. “Household’s good. Every thing else? No. It is a shit present. You on some ‘The way you been?’ I have been struggling, brother.”
What’s extra, Brown didn’t again down from these feedback when requested about them within the locker room the very subsequent day.
“I feel that is truthful. I feel in the event you’ve obtained eyes, you’ll be able to see that,” Brown stated. “The identical issues I have been saying all season. So me making mild of my scenario on Twitch with my pal, that is one thing I am not apologizing for, ? As a result of like I stated, in the event you’ve obtained eyes, you’ll be able to see that. Shoot, that is me making an attempt to snort by way of my scenario.”
Brown maintained that the supply of his frustration was not about targets, however concerning the effectivity of the unit at giant.
“I feel if we’re actually targeted on profitable and doing our job, we will not simply hold slapping a Band-Help over the protection doing their job and getting us out of bother,” Brown stated. “At what level are we going to select up our slack as an offense? We’re so nice, and that is what I am getting at. It isn’t about I do not care about profitable or all I care about is stats. No. It has been week after week — generally we’re not doing our job on offense. So you’ll be able to’t simply hold slapping a Band-Help over that and anticipate to win late within the 12 months — it is not going to occur.
“Final 12 months, what it was, thanks for the ring, nevertheless it’s a brand new season. They tailored. We now have to adapt and proceed to get higher and attempt to discover new methods. That is the place the frustration is available in. It isn’t about profitable, you guys. I need to win, sure. I need to assist contribute as effectively, do our factor on offense as effectively. I feel that is truthful.”
In 15 regular-season video games this 12 months, Brown caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has topped 1,000 receiving yards in all 4 of his seasons with the Eagles, however this 12 months’s 1,003 marked his lowest complete in Philadelphia. Brown obtained his justifiable share of targets Sunday however didn’t capitalize.
