AJ Brown gave his thoughts on the Philadelphia Eagles’ glaring weakness following their 34-17 loss to the New York Giants on Thursday night.
Philadelphia was off to a solid 4-0 start to the 2025 NFL season, starting its Super Bowl title defense quite well. However, the squad has since lost the last two games against the Denver Broncos and Giants, seeing the offense and defense take steps back in the process.
Brown reflected on the loss after the game, per NFL insider Jeremy Fowler. The star receiver pointed out the team’s struggles in the third quarter, emphasizing the need for their mindset to be better.
“A.J. Brown: Third quarters are ‘low-key becoming our kryptonite.’ Says he doesn’t think it’s an adjustment issue. ‘We know what they are doing.’ It’s about ‘mindset,’” Fowler wrote.
How AJ Brown, Eagles played against Giants
It’s clear that AJ Brown and the Eagles have issues to work as a road loss to their division rival will add more salt to the wound.
The Eagles collapsed in the second half as the Giants made more plays on both sides of the ball throughout the last 30 minutes of regulation.
Jalen Hurts had his numbers but didn’t make enough plays in the second half to create a rally. He completed 24 passes out of 33 attempts for 283 yards and a touchdown and an interception while attempting seven rushes for 13 yards and a score.
Saquon Barkley finished with 12 carries for 58 yards while recording two receptions for nine yards against his former team. Dallas Goedert was a shining spot in the Eagles’ offense, making nine catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. Brown followed with six receptions for 80 yards while DeVonta Smith provided four catches for 49 yards.
The Eagles will look to bounce back in their next matchup, being on the road. They face the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. ET.
Saquon Shoots Down Eagles’ ‘Predictable’ Running Game Narrative
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Newsflash: the Philadelphia Eagles’ running game is predictable.
Former Eagles linebacker and current NFL analyst Emmanuel Acho underscored just how predictable after the reigning Super Bowl champion’s stunning 34-17 loss to the talent-deficient New York Giants on Thursday night.
Acho broke it down into “the most predictable thing you’ll ever see,” noting Philadelphia runs the ball on two downs (first and second), from one distance (-and-10), and out of two formations (3×1 and pistol).
All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson also noted that the running game has gotten too predictable.
“It seems a lot harder than it needs to be,” Johnson said. “Maybe moving forward, just have a little bit more variety, hitting the perimeter some.”
Superstar running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for an NFL record 2,504 yards through a Super Bowl LIX championship last season and is now averaging just 3.4 yards per carry over six games, was less inclined to point the finger at what’s taking hold as a narrative for those who need to assign blame.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65). / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
“Last year, do you think we were predictable?” Barkley asked rhetorically. “I mean, everyone knew we were running the ball, and we still got it off [last season]. So, I think we also gotta get back into that attitude, to that mindset, of not really giving a f@#$ what people are trying to do.
“And that’s something that I’m definitely looking for.”
Johnson also added context to his own comments that points to execution.
“We have spurts where we show glimpses of what we could be, but the consistency isn’t there,” Johnson admitted. “It’s not a finger-pointing show. I’m with [offensive coordinator] Kevin [Patullo] until the end.
“A lot of it goes down to execution.”
One team source noted the physical style that the Eagles played last season had a cumulative effect on what was one of the best offensive line performances of the modern era last season.
“Everyone is focused on Saquon and his touches [last season]. I think the O-Line is beat up,” the source said.
Already this season, Johnson has dealt with stinger and shoulder issues, Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson has had offseason knee surgery, tore his meniscus in training camp, dealt with a back issue, and missed the Giants game with a sprained ankle.
Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens has acknowledged that he’s still inching his way back from offseason back surgery, and departed right guard Mekhi Becton has already been injured twice with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Execution remains the far bigger issue than predictability when it comes to the Eagles’ running game, but both issues need improvement.
“We’ll go back and look at this tape and see what we gotta get fixed,” said Johnson. But moving forward, we need to be more efficient, less predictable, and capitalize on big plays and explosives.”
