Since the Eagles' season-opening loss to Atlanta Falcons, this year has not gone the way the team, its players and coaches, and fans had expected. Coming off a disappointing 10-6 campaign in 2014 that fell one win shy of a playoff berth and an offseason that featured more blockbuster moves than that of any team in the NFL, Philadelphia was supposed to take a significant step forward. But sitting at 6-9 and officially eliminated from postseason contention with a week to go in the 2015 season, that's exactly where they find themselves.
Chip Kelly, the Eagles' head coach since 2013, didn't mince words when asked about the latest defeat suffered by his team, a 38-24 loss at home to the Washington Redskins on Saturday night. In the game, the Eagles were bested in total yards, turnover differential and first downs. In basically every phase of the game, Washington had the edge, and as a result the Redskins were able to clinch the NFC East title and a home game in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
The Washington Redskins traveled to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in their final regular season game at home. View the full gallery here...
WR Jordan Matthews
LB DeMeco Ryans
LB Connor Barwin
RB Darren Sproles
LB Bryan Braman
WR Jordan Matthews
CB E.J. Biggers
DE Fletcher Cox
DE Vinny Curry, DE Fletcher Cox
LB Kiko Alonso, DE Fletcher Cox
TE Zach Ertz
TE Zach Ertz
DE Fletcher Cox
QB Sam Bradford
S Malcolm Jenkins, DE Fletcher Cox
WR Jordan Matthews
QB Sam Bradford
RB DeMarco Murray
RB Ryan Mathews
T Jason Peters
RB Darren Sproles
DE Fletcher Cox
RB DeMarco Murray
RB DeMarco Murray
LB Najee Goode, LB Bryan Braman
Noah the Eagle
Gather around for free face painting in HeadHouse Plaza!
The Loop rocking out!
RB Ryan Mathews
Saturday Night Football
WR Jordan Matthews
QB Sam Bradford
WR Nelson Agholor
RB DeMarco Murray, WR Josh Huff
TE Zach Ertz
Thursday Night Football in HeadHouse Plaza
SWOOP is ready for his photo shoot
Ready for some football!
Eagles Alumni Derrick Burgess and Jon Runyan
Derrick Burgess and Jon Runyan at the Santander Alumni Meet & Greet
DB Randall Evans
DB Eric Rowe
Dr. Jesse McGuire performs the National Anthem
TE Brent Celek
DE Fletcher Cox
DE Fletcher Cox
QB Sam Bradford
DE Cedric Thornton
TE Zach Ertz
RB Darren Sproles
LB Connor Barwin
TE Zach Ertz
Eagles Alumni Captains Derrick Burgess and Jon Runyan
LB Bryan Braman
DE Fletcher Cox
DE Fletcher Cox
LB Kiko Alonso, DE Fletcher Cox
TE Zach Ertz
QB Sam Bradford
DT Beau Allen, DE Fletcher Cox
RB DeMarco Murray
S Malcolm Jenkins
WR Josh Huff
RB DeMarco Murray
QB Sam Bradford, RB DeMarco Murray
TE Zach Ertz
RB DeMarco Murray
WR Josh Huff
The Apple Vacations Beach Blitz Winner!
WR Josh Huff, RB DeMarco Murray
C Jason Kelce
WR Jordan Matthews
WR Jordan Matthews
"We didn't play well enough to beat a good football team," said Kelly. "You can't put yourself in the hole like we did. Those two turnovers were costly for us, and then obviously I think drops affected us on the offensive side of the ball.
"I wish I had (the answer). If I did, we'd go fix it. Obviously we're not doing a good enough job coaching them."
The loss assures Philadelphia its first losing record during Kelly's three years at the helm of the team. The former Oregon head coach, whose only NFL experience has come as head coach of the Eagles, took full responsibility for the team's struggles this season.
"One hundred percent it's all on my shoulders," Kelly said. "It's the same thing I said a year ago, it's unacceptable ... If it's not good enough, it's not good enough. But I'm going to continue to work as hard as I can and show up early in the morning, and leave late at night, and continue to work."
Although the disappointment of missing the playoffs for the second straight season is a feeling that is overwhelming amongst Kelly, his coaching staff and his players, there still remains one game in the season, and the Eagles will prepare for it the same as always.
