Eagles numerology

SOME NUMBERS that mattered coming out of the Eagles' 23-20 loss to the Redskins:

That was the success rate of the Redskins' offense Sunday on third down. Washington converted nine of 17 third-down opportunities. The Eagles went into the game ranked ninth in third-down defense, but they couldn't get off the field. Eight of those nine third-down conversions came through the air, including a pass-interference call in the end zone against rookie cornerback Eric Rowe, who was filling in for injured Byron Maxwell. In the Eagles' first three games, opponents had converted only four of 21 third downs of 6 yards or more. The Redskins converted five of 11. Four of those five conversions led to points.

That's where the Eagles rank in third-down efficiency on offense. They are sandwiched at the bottom of the league pile between the Dolphins (26.9 percent) and Andy Reid's Chiefs (26.1) with an abysmal 26.5 conversion rate. They were only 4-for-12 on third down in Sunday's loss to the Redskins. Sam Bradford has completed only 15 of his 37 third-down passes and is averaging a league-worst 3.73 yards per attempt on third down. One of his three touchdown passes Sunday - a 10-yarder to a wide-open Brent Celek - came on a third-and-7. But Bradford had to escape the grasp of Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan to make the play. He was sacked twice on third down in Sunday's loss, including by Kerrigan, who beat left tackle Matt Tobin, on the Eagles' final possession.

The number of receptions by tight end Zach Ertz in the first four games, including only two for 11 yards in Sunday's loss to the Redskins. Ertz' playing time has increased dramatically, but not his pass-catching production. The Eagles are operating almost exclusively out of three-wide receiver, one-tight end sets and Ertz is getting the bulk of the reps. He has played 68 percent of the snaps (164 of 241), and Brent Celek has played only 49.8 percent (120 of 241). But Ertz hasn't been a big part of the passing game. He has only three catches for first downs. He has only one third-down catch, none for first downs. Last year, he was second on the team in catches for first downs (42) and led the team in third-down receptions for first downs (21). He should've had his first touchdown catch Sunday, but it was wiped out when rookie wide receiver Nelson Agholor was flagged for lining up illegally. That was the drive the ended with Caleb Sturgis' costly 33-yard field goal miss.

The Eagles have had 52 possessions in their first four games. They have failed to pick up at least one first down on an astounding 22 of them. They are averaging only 60.2 plays per game, which is the fourth lowest play average in the league, and is more than 10 snaps a game below their 2014 average (70.7), which led the league. The Eagles are dead-last in time of possession (22:48). The next closest team is the Rams at 25:40. The Eagles had the ball for a season-low 51 snaps and 18:52 in Sunday's loss to the Redskins.

That's how many of the 83 carries by the Eagles' three running backs - DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles - have failed to gain more than 2 yards. That's 56.6 percent of their rushing attempts. Seventeen of DeMarco Murray's 29 carries have gone for 2 yards or less. Last year, only 43.8 percent of the rushing attempts by the Eagles' running backs resulted in gains of 2 yards or less.

Blog: eagletarian.com