On both Sunday and Monday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed his continued faith in the defense and in senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia.
A few weeks ago, Sirianni appointed Patricia to replace Sean Desai as the team's defensive play caller.
Since then, the team's record has dropped to 1-2. The offense failed to convert on 32 first downs, finished with 449 yards passing and 221 yards running in Sunday's 35-31 defeat to the Cardinals. The defense also lost the fight for possession time by nearly 20 minutes.
Early in Monday's press conference, reporters wanted to know if Patricia would still be starting in that capacity for Week 18 and the playoffs, so they questioned Sirianni.
According to Sirianni, the squad will "continue in that direction" with Patricia calling the plays, even though Sunday's performance wasn't up to par.
Everything that I do, every decision that I make is with the thought of the team first and what is best for the team," stated Sirianni. I made those changes a few weeks ago because I wanted to do what was best for the squad. I maintain my belief in that.
Making such a drastic change so late in the season to go with Patricia makes it impossible to think that going back to square one or hiring another play caller would improve the team's performance.
At this stage of the season, the Eagles are likely to remain the same as they were earlier in the year, and the same coaching staff and players will need to lead the club to victory.