Eagles’ Offensive Struggles Continue as 49ers End Philadelphia’s Playoff Run

 

Eagles’ Offensive Struggles Resurface as 49ers End Philadelphia’s Season

The Philadelphia Eagles had momentum early. Two first-half touchdowns, a roaring Lincoln Financial Field crowd, and a chance to finally rewrite the story of an uneven season. But when the second half arrived, the same problems that haunted the Eagles all year returned — and this time, there was no escape.

The San Francisco 49ers outlasted the Eagles 23–19 on Sunday, silencing the home crowd and advancing to a divisional-round showdown with the Seattle Seahawks. For Philadelphia, the loss wasn’t just the end of a playoff run — it was a painful reminder of unresolved issues that never truly went away.

A Strong Start That Faded Too Quickly

Philadelphia’s offense looked sharp early. The Eagles capitalized on opportunities, found the end zone twice before halftime, and entered the break with control of the game. But once the third quarter began, the offense stalled completely.

No touchdowns.
No rhythm.
No answers.

San Francisco adjusted. Philadelphia did not.

It was a familiar pattern for Eagles fans who watched offensive inconsistency creep into nearly every game as the season progressed. Drives stalled. Play-calling felt predictable. Execution broke down at the worst moments.

After halftime, the Eagles failed to score another touchdown — a statistic that ultimately defined their season-ending loss.

Nick Sirianni Faces Familiar Questions

After the game, head coach Nick Sirianni addressed the media with a tone that reflected both disappointment and realism. When asked about the offense disappearing in the second half, Sirianni didn’t deny the pattern.

“That’s kind of our story as the year progressed,” he admitted.

Sirianni pushed back against the idea that the Eagles became overly conservative after halftime, but he acknowledged that the team must search for answers — wherever they may be found.

Those answers may begin with the coaching staff.

Kevin Patullo Under the Microscope

Once again, questions surrounded offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who just completed his first season calling plays. Throughout the year, Patullo’s scheme and in-game adjustments were heavily scrutinized by fans and analysts alike, especially during stretches where the Eagles struggled to sustain drives.

Sirianni didn’t offer clarity on Patullo’s future, but he didn’t shut the door on changes either.

“There will be time to evaluate everybody’s performance,” Sirianni said. “There’ll be time to evaluate everything coming up.”

That statement may sound routine, but in Philadelphia, it carries weight.

Patullo is the Eagles’ fourth offensive coordinator in four seasons — a level of turnover that speaks to instability on that side of the ball. While two former coordinators moved on to head coaching roles, not all exits have ended positively. One was fired, and Patullo could soon find himself facing the same fate if the front office believes offensive inconsistency cost the team its season.

A Season That Never Fully Clicked

The Eagles were never short on talent. They had playmakers, depth, and playoff expectations. But what they lacked was consistency — especially offensively.

At times, the unit looked explosive.
At others, it looked disconnected.

In critical moments, the offense struggled to adjust, putting extra pressure on the defense and shrinking the margin for error. Against a resilient 49ers team, that margin disappeared completely.

San Francisco didn’t play a perfect game. They played a tougher one.

49ers’ Resilience Makes the Difference

Even after losing key players to injury, the 49ers stayed composed. Their offense found big plays when needed, and their defense clamped down in the second half, forcing the Eagles into uncomfortable situations.

The ability to adjust after halftime separated the two teams.

While Philadelphia searched for solutions, San Francisco executed with confidence, finishing drives and controlling the tempo when it mattered most.

What Comes Next for the Eagles

Now begins a critical offseason in Philadelphia.

The Eagles must decide:

• Is offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo the right fit?

• Does the scheme match the personnel?

• How can the offense become more adaptable in high-pressure moments?

Nick Sirianni expressed empathy for everyone in the organization — players, coaches, front office members, ownership, and fans — emphasizing how much work goes unseen throughout the year.

But empathy won’t fix inconsistency.

Philadelphia’s front office, led by owner Jeffrey Lurie, will soon face decisions that could shape the franchise’s direction moving forward.

A Painful Ending, But a Clear Message

The Eagles’ playoff loss didn’t come out of nowhere. It followed a script fans had seen before — strong starts, second-half struggles, and unanswered questions.

While the disappointment is real, so is the clarity. This team knows what went wrong. The challenge now is whether it can — and will — fix it.

As the 49ers move on and Philadelphia looks inward, one truth remains unavoidable:

Talent alone isn’t enough in January.
Execution, adaptability, and consistency decide who survives.

And on Sunday, the Eagles came up short.