A.J. Brown irked by Eagles passing game after slim win over Panthers
Star Eagles receiver A.J. Brown summed up what Philadelphia’s offense needs to work on in just one word Sunday following a close win against the 3-10 Panthers.
“Passing,” the three-time Pro Bowler told reporters after totaling four receptions for 43 yards in the 22-16 victory. It was his only four targets of the game.
The Eagles, now riding a nine-game win streak, have relied heavily on the run game this season with the splashy free agency addition of star running back Saquon Barkley, who added 124 yards on the ground Sunday to help bring the team’s overall total to 209 yards.
Meanwhile, quarterback Jalen Hurts went 14-for-21 passing for 108 yards.
Brown, 27, said Sunday there needs to be a cohesiveness to achieve success aerially.
“Being on the same page,” he said, with ESPN reporting the wideout “was talking about this week specifically.”
“Thinking the same. Seeing the right signals. Just going out there and making it work,” added Brown, who was first targeted in the second quarter.
Brown wasn’t the only member of the Eagles’ receiving corps who called out the passing game.
“I think we can do a lot better,” wideout DeVonta Smith said, per CBS Sports. “Pass game we can be a lot better … We didn’t play up to our standard.”
Hurts, who averaged a season-low 5.1 yards per attempt Sunday, also took issue with the execution of the passing game and said it begins with him.
“I think [the Panthers] did a good job; I think we did a bad job,” the 26-year-old quarterback said. “That starts with me, how I execute. Ultimately, you yearn and I yearn for better synchronization, for a more complimentary style of ball, in a sense.”
Despite the critical commentary on a certain area of play, it was actually a sunny day in Philadelphia, which secured a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season.
The Eagles (11-2) will aim for their 10th straight win next Sunday when they host the Steelers (10-3).