What is Nick Sirianni doing? Eagles HC makes head-scratching decision vs. Saints

Ryan OLeary

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What is Nick Sirianni doing? Eagles HC makes head-scratching decision vs. Saints image

It’s one thing to be aggressive. It’s another to be reckless. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is towing that line early in the 2024 NFL season.

Sirianni’s latest head-scratching coaching decision came late in the first half of Sunday’s Week 3 game against the New Orleans Saints.

Trailing 3-0 in what was another ugly start for the Eagles, marred by a pair of turnovers, Philadelphia faced what seemed like a pretty straightforward situation. Facing a fourth-and-1 from the Saints 15 yard line, with 14 seconds remaining in the half, a chip-shot field goal from kicker Jake Elliott would have tied the score at 3 apiece. With the Eagles getting the ball back to start the second half, taking the three points there would allow them to regroup at halftime and then go for the double-score to start the third quarter. 

But after a timeout, Sirianni left his offense on the field. The Eagles lined up in their “tush-push” formation and surprisingly snapped the ball. The call was a trick play, trying to get running back Saquon Barkley to the edge. The Saints were not fooled, as defensive end Chase Young and linebacker Pete Werner blew it up for a turnover on downs.

The Eagles did have one timeout remaining, and this decision came on the backend of a marathon, 14-play drive that started at the Philly 7 yard line. But what’s the reward in this situation? That the Saints are so fooled by the trickery that Barkley motors down the sideline for a touchdown? Because even if Barkley picks up the first down, the Eagles are likely calling their final timeout with around 10 seconds remaining. That would afford you at least one throw into the end zone, but with a pair of Jalen Hurts interceptions getting caught in the opposing end zone already this season, is that really worth the risk?

Sometimes the smartest decision is the boring one: Just take the darn points. 

Sirianni made a similar call in the first half of Philly’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. The Eagles had a fourth-and-4 from the Falcons 9 yard line with a chance to kick a short field goal and take the first points of the game. Sirianni decided to go for it. The pass fell incomplete, and the Eagles wound up losing the game by one point. 

As Greg Olsen said during the FOX broadcast during Sunday’s game, the one thing you can say about Sirianni is that he’s been consistent with these types of aggressive calls. The Eagles have been among the NFL leaders in fourth down attempts throughout his tenure.

But you could make the argument that he’s been consistently reckless as well, and it’s costing the Eagles early this season.

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.