Head coach Doug Pederson met with the media on Monday following the Eagles' 21-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers and expressed confidence in his football team.
While Sunday's defeat was a gut punch, Pederson said the Eagles still control the division with five games remaining against NFC East opponents. There is still a lot of football to be played and with a bye week approaching, the Eagles will have time to get healthy and get back on track.
"I've got so much confidence in this football team you guys don't understand," Pederson said. "It's coming down to like two, three plays, and we're sitting here at 5-2 instead of 3-4. So, we're only talking about a couple of plays and this thing is different.
"I've got so much confidence in this football team and coaching staff that we're going to get this fixed."
Pederson said the entire team played a role in Sunday's loss. While the defense gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter, the offense had opportunities to close out the game and did not. Pederson said that the defense was not worn out. It just came down to execution that everyone had a part in the end result.
"You're trying to play for a full 60 minutes. That's without a doubt," Pederson said. "And when you don't, I've got to look at myself and everyone has to look in the mirror and say what could I have done to prevent this type of loss."
After the defense gave up a third touchdown, the offense had a chance to come back and win the game. The Eagles were in the red zone facing a third-and-2 but an incompletion and sack-fumble ended the game.
Pederson was asked if quarterback Carson Wentz tried to do too much on the final drive. He was unwavering in his support of Wentz and said it will be used as a learning opportunity.
"I think that's in the quarterback's nature to try and make the play," Pederson said. "I know this; I want the ball in Carson's hands at the end of the game. I want him in control of helping us win a football game and the guys doing their jobs. So, we're going to continue to work through it. We're going to coach and teach and instruct, but at the end of the day, I want the ball in his hands to help us win a game."
Pederson addressed questions about his playcalling as the offense rushed for just 58 yards. He said he has total faith in his running backs and that against a physical, run-stopping Carolina defense, the offense was able to make plays in the air and throw for more than 300 yards.
The loss came down to execution and preparation in Pederson's mind.
"We're right where we need to be from the standpoint of personnel," Pederson said. "We've got to make sure that we win the game in the week. If you win the game on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, chances are you're going to win the game on Sunday. So that's where it starts. It begins with our preparation."
