5 things we learned from the Eagles in Weeks 1 and 2

After a rollercoaster first two weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles (1-1, 1-1 ATS) have left many bettors scratching their heads.

In Week 1, they kicked off the season with a win in Brazil over the Green Bay Packers, sparking optimism that they might return to their recent Super Bowl form. But by the end of Week 2, that hope took a sharp nosedive. The Philadelphia Eagles collapsed on Monday Night Football, squandering a lead late against the Atlanta Falcons (1-1, 1-1 ATS) in a heartbreaking 22-21 loss.

Now, as they prepare to face the red-hot New Orleans Saints (2-0, 2-0 ATS) on a short week, the confidence in Philly is shaken. What started as a promising spread favoring the Eagles has flipped, with the Saints now entering as betting odds favorites in a key NFC contest. With players like A.J. Brown still sidelined, questions linger about whether the Eagles can patch the holes exposed during Monday's collapse.

Bettors at the best PA sportsbooks may not know what to think of the Eagles so far this season, but let's dive into the five key takeaways from Philly's first two weeks and what they mean for the season ahead.

Coaching decisions are under the microscope Nick Sirianni and his staff are facing increased scrutiny after a string of questionable decisions that have cost the Eagles dearly. In Week 2, Sirianni's conservative approach in the fourth quarter—opting to kick a field goal on fourth down instead of going for it—proved costly.

The Falcons took advantage of the extra possession, driving down the field to win the game. These decisions contrast with Sirianni's previous aggressive play-calling style, and many are left wondering why he's become more risk-averse.

Sirianni will need to make the right decisions in Week 3 against New Orleans, as the Birds enter as +120 moneyline underdogs at DraftKings Sportsbook .

Beyond that, the Eagles' discipline is becoming an issue, with the team being flagged nine times in Week 2. This lack of focus reflects poorly on the coaching staff and suggests that adjustments need to be made, especially as the Eagles face tougher competition in the coming weeks.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio also finds himself in the hot seat, as his revamped defense has struggled to perform. Unless the coaching staff can correct course, the Eagles' early-season woes could turn into a long-term problem.

Pass rush is underperforming The Eagles' pass rush has been surprisingly quiet to start the season, especially given its importance to their defensive scheme. Despite pressuring Kirk Cousins in a few key moments during Monday Night Football, they managed just one sack, courtesy of Milton Williams.

That sack forced a crucial punt, but beyond that, the defensive front was largely ineffective, allowing Cousins ample time in the pocket. He used that time to complete critical passes, including a game-winning drive that sealed the Falcons' 22-21 victory.

If Philly can't generate a pass rush against the Saints, the Over 49.5 at FanDuel Sportsbook might cash in, with New Orleans scoring the bulk of the points.

Bryce Huff, who signed a lucrative deal with Philadelphia this offseason, has yet to make any significant impact on the field. The Eagles' D has registered just three sacks this season, tied for second fewest, and hurry opposing quarterbacks on only 4.4 percent of dropbacks. For a team that prides itself on dominating at the line of scrimmage, the lack of pressure remains a serious concern.

Opposing quarterbacks have been too comfortable, and that's left the secondary exposed to big plays. Fangio's defense is built around aggressive, attacking schemes, but if the Eagles can't generate more pressure up front, it's going to be a long season for Philadelphia.

Run defense remains a weakness The Eagles' issues on defense don't stop at the pass rush—stopping the run has been an even bigger problem. They currently rank dead last in the league, surrendering a painful 6.7 yards per carry. Philly has allowed 315 rushing yards through two games, eighth-most in the NFL. Against the Falcons, running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combined for nearly 150 yards on the ground, consistently breaking through the Eagles' defensive line and finding space.

While there were some bright spots, these moments were few and far between. The front seven struggled to gain control of the line of scrimmage, and poor positioning from the linebackers allowed Atlanta to dominate the ground game. With teams now seeing how vulnerable Philadelphia is to the run, this could become a recurring issue unless adjustments are made quickly. The Eagles need to tighten up in the trenches or face getting run over by future opponents.

Life without A.J. Brown is a challenge With star wide receiver A.J. Brown sidelined due to injury, the Eagles' offense looked far from its usual explosive self. Jalen Hurts had to rely heavily on short passes and designed runs, which led to methodical but unspectacular drives. While the Eagles managed to put together a 17-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, their inability to stretch the field without Brown was evident.

Running an A.J. Brown-less offense will undoubtedly have an impact again in Week 3, as Philadelphia is an underdog for the first time this season at Fanatics Sportsbook .

DeVonta Smith stepped up admirably, catching seven passes for 76 yards and a touchdown, but the rest of the receiving corps was quiet. Jahan Dotson, brought in to provide depth, made little impact, and Hurts was regularly left scrambling for options as the Falcons defense closed in. Without Brown, Philadelphia's offense lacked the big-play ability that makes them dangerous. Unless Brown returns soon or other receivers step up, the Eagles could continue to struggle in the passing game.

Jalen Hurts is facing more pressure Jalen Hurts' play through the first two weeks has been a mixed bag, but there's no doubt he remains the engine driving this Eagles offense. In Week 2, Hurts completed 23 of 30 passes for 183 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while adding 85 rushing yards and another score on 13 carries. His ability to extend plays with his legs makes him a dual-threat quarterback, something that will surely tempt bettors in his player prop bets at some of the Pennsylvania sports betting sites.

However, Hurts is under more pressure this season. With the retirement of long-time center Jason Kelce, the offensive line has shown inconsistency, leading Hurts to run more often. He might need to lean on his legs even more as the season progresses, especially if the line continues to struggle.

While he had a sloppy start in Week 1 against the Packers in Brazil, Hurts rebounded by leading several scoring drives to secure a narrow victory. His resilience is one of his best qualities, but if the Eagles can't give him more time in the pocket, Hurts may be forced to shoulder an even heavier load.