Why are the Eagles winning? Try the red zone

In Philadelphia, it seems like a great mystery of life question: How can the Eagles, who have periodically played poorly, be 4-0?

In two of their first four games, they have had halves in which they threw for minus-1 yard in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams and in their most recent 31-25 victory over Tampa Bay last Sunday, had 0 yards passing in the second half. In each of their four games they have been outgained (307-302 to Dallas; 294-216 to Kansas City, 356-288 to the Los Angeles Rams and 376-200 to Tampa Bay).

Amid another chapter of cryptic A.J. Brown Twitter-gate, and another weekly round of questioning the ability of Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, what appears to be glossed over is how well the Eagles have played in the red zone.

They are 11-for-11 in the red zone on offense (3/3 v. Tampa Bay 0/2; 3/3 v. Los Angeles Rams 1/4; 2/2 v. Kansas City 1/2; and 3/3 v. Dallas 2/3) and have allowed just four touchdowns in 11 tries defensively.

From the 20s going in appears to be where the Eagles’ coaching staff is placing their greatest emphasis.

The Eagles are ranked No. 3 in the NFL in defensive red zone efficiency at 36.36% (4/11), and in the Eagles’ last three games, they are a commanding No.1 in defensive red zone efficiency at 25% (2/8), which outdistances the nearest two teams, Denver and the Los Angeles Chargers, each at 30%.

Though offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has come under considerable scrutiny, deservedly so, with the Eagles being No. 30 (251.5 yds/per game) in total offense and 31st in passing (138 yds/per game), the Eagles—and Patullo—have been refreshingly imaginative in the red zone. On three aligned “Tush Push” plays, the Eagles scored on two Goedert receptions against Tampa Bay, because the Bucs were locked in tight determined to stop the Tush Push. Those plays were there all along. Patullo actually went back into the Eagles’ playbook to use them.

Later, Saquon Barkley’s six-yard touchdown off a counter sweep out of the “Tush Push” formation on the Eagles’ fourth drive of the third quarter proved to be the winning difference.

It also proved to be a brilliant play call from Patullo, who is three-for-three in the red zone twice this season, in victories over Tampa Bay and Dallas.

Defensively, the Eagles have a total of five caused turnovers this season—three have come at important parts in each game in the red zone.

In the season opener against Dallas, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell’s fumble recovery with 4:44 left in the third quarter at the Eagles’ 16 and marked the first turnover of the game. The Eagles were leading 24-20 at the time.

Rookie safety Andrew Mukuba’s interception in the end zone off a deflected pass from Travis Kelce in the third quarter came when the Eagles were clinging to a 13-10 lead. The Eagles converted the turnover into a 20-10 advantage when Saquon Barkley scored with 12:56 to play.

Against Tampa Bay, rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell had an interception in the end zone on an ill-advised Baker Mayfield throw with 7:57 to play. The Eagles gave the ball right back with their fifth three-and-out of the second half, but they averted a possible tying score.

Whether or not the Eagles can sustain winning like this is questionable.

Ten teams have equal or better point-differential (plus-20) than the Eagles. The Eagles’ first four opponents have a cumulative record of 9-6-1 with a point differential of plus-22.

One thing seems certain: This is, nor will it be, a repeat of 2023, when the Eagles suffered a historic collapse using mercenaries like linebackers Nick Marrow and Zack Cunningham and safety Kevin Byard to plug holes in a porous defense. The Eagles started 2023 4-0, too, and sometimes had a problem on a particular part of the field, which were early signs of trouble—the red zone. Through the first four games of 2023, the Eagles were 6 of 13 in the red zone (54.5%) and allowed opposing teams to score touchdowns in the red zone 11/15 (73.3%).

It’s not 2023.

If there is one area of the field, so far, that Patullo appears to be profound it is the red zone. It’s forged the Eagles to a 4-0 start.