The Philadelphia Eagles made a somewhat desperate coaching change this week. Defensive coordinator Sean Desai was moved to the sidelines and defensive assistant (and former Detroit Lions coach) Matt Patricia was effectively promoted to the de facto defensive coordinator role by Philly after the team let up more than thirty points in three straight games. Patricia would make the ultimate decision on defensive plays for the Eagles in Monday night’s crucial game against the Seattle Seahawks.
It appeared for a while that the decision was wise. Even though the Eagles offense faltered occasionally, they led 17–10 entering the fourth quarter because to the defense that stopped Seattle to only three points in the first half.
But the Eagles gave Seattle one more shot, albeit a difficult one, after failing to run out the clock on offense. With 1:52 left in the game and only one timeout remaining, the Seahawks were down 17–13 and would need to go 92 yards.
Everyone is aware of what transpired next.
Drew Lock, the backup quarterback, pushed the Seahawks down the field rather easily and methodically. Only his second start in the previous two years, Lock completed 5 of 10 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. The fact that Lock converted two third-and-10s throughout the drive, including this game-winning 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba with just 33 seconds remaining, was particularly devastating to Patricia.
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
Given that Patricia undoubtedly made several dubious play choices at the most crucial moments of the game, it was only natural for both Eagles and Lions supporters to completely disparage him following the game. Here is a small selection 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
https://twitter.com/forgottenalamo/status/1736969208024432912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1736969208024432912%7Ctwgr%5E01505bb28961c3be8446a28ceacaddd17426107c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.prideofdetroit.com%2F2023%2F12%2F19%2F24007605%2Fmatt-patricia-buried-after-eagles-allow-game-losing-92-yard-td-drive-drew-lock-seahawks
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
