Former Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia is under heavy criticism again after allowing backup QB Drew Lock to beat the Eagles with a 92-yard game-winning drive.
This week, the Philadelphia Eagles made somewhat of a desperate coaching move. After giving up over 30 points in three consecutive games, Philly opted to move defensive coordinator Sean Desai to the booth and essentially promote defensive assistant—and former Detroit Lions coach—Matt Patricia to the de facto defensive coordinator position. For Monday night’s critical game against the Seattle Seahawks , Patricia would have the final call on defensive plays for the Eagles.
For a while, it looked like the move may have been a smart one. The Eagles defense held Seattle to just three points in the first half, and despite the offense sputtering at times, Philly still held a 17-10 lead going into the fourth quarter.
However, after failing to run out the clock on offense, the Eagles gave Seattle one more opportunity… but it was a tough one. Down 17-13, the Seahawks would have to drive 92 yards with 1:52 remaining and just one timeout left.
You all know what happened next.
Backup quarterback Drew Lock methodically moved the Seahawks down the field with relative ease. In just his second start in two years, Lock went 5-for-10 for 92 yards and a touchdown. Most damning to Patricia in particular was the fact that on the drive, Lock converted two third-and-10s, including this game-winning, 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba with only 33 seconds left.
Lock to JSN for the lead!
: #PHIvsSEA on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/bbJNB6yPkz pic.twitter.com/t7q0x5073q— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2023
Understandably, both Eagles and Lions fans were absolutely trashing Patricia after the game, seeing as he certainly made some questionable play calls at the most critical points in the game. Here’s just a sampling of that:
Cover 1 robber in that situation? Classic Matt Patricia
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) December 19, 2023
3rd and 10
33 seconds left
up 4 points (they HAVE to score a TD)Logic says, protect the deep ball, drain the clock, close the passing windows.
Patricia calls a Patricia classic Cover-1 Robber, leaving the corners on islands and the safety in the middle opening up the deep shot https://t.co/rSPbaaS7oy
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) December 19, 2023
I really don’t know what Matt Patricia is Doing is here.
It’s 3rd and 10 and you leave Bradberry one on one? Who’s know as a bad man player? And you’re only rushing 4? I don’t get It. #FlyEaglesFly #Eagles pic.twitter.com/O5u2JNUgEa
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) December 19, 2023
The Eagles clumsily replaced their DC with Matt Patricia and then gave up a 92-yard game-winning TD drive to Drew Lock.
Oh, and their franchise QB threw a pair of fourth-quarter INTs.
We talked about it all on Philly Special!@BenjaminSolak @ringernfl https://t.co/9qcUVjszrx
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) December 19, 2023
Matt Patricia calling plays on defense again pic.twitter.com/G1fJqxaYS9
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) December 19, 2023
The #Eagles lost because
1. Matt Patricia left Bradberry naked on 3rd-and-10, & because
2. Nick Sirianni let Hurts throw deep with 8 minutes left – an interception – instead of grinding out the possession & using clock
Huge mistakes with a 4-point leadhttps://t.co/TbzGTFfMAH
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) December 19, 2023
Matt Patricia had everything going for him.
His team gave him a chance after looking bad against two of the best offenses in the league and he was set to face a backup QB. Perfect chance to get credit he doesn’t deserve.
Somehow he didn’t even get that done.
— Timo Riske (@PFF_Moo) December 19, 2023
Daily News | With Matt Patricia now in charge, Eagles defense finds a new way to contribute in loss to the Seahawks https://t.co/A8UOEbe5lZ
— Philly Daily News (@PhillyDailyNews) December 19, 2023
the plan? have Matt Patricia try to stop a backup QB from going 90+ yards & score a touchdown with only 1 timeout pic.twitter.com/8gERfV1Nn3
— kelton (@forgottenalamo) December 19, 2023
probably should have called the best play in super bowl history, honestly
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) December 19, 2023
Drew Lock‼️ … what a DIME … That moment between him and Geno was awesome.
Matt Patricia getting roasted 4/5 times this game on 3rd and 10+ is so much fun to watch.
— Air Raid | Buffalo (@TheBillsGuys) December 19, 2023
And in case you were wondering, the Eagles are not changing back. Patricia will continue to be the Eagles’ defensive play-caller. Good luck with that.