Penalty Flag Having Solid Season Despite Eagles’ Early Woes

by Clay Beyersdorfer

PHILADELPHIA - If the Eagles truly play in the “City of Brotherly Love,” the city might want to start showing some love to its most productive asset, Penalty Flag. Despite the team’s lackluster 2-4 start to the season, Flag has quietly racked up 431 yards, putting him only behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Miles Sanders as the leaders in total offensive output.Don’t tell Flag that though. “Yeah, I’ve been fortunate to get off to a good start this year, but I wish it would translate to more wins,” Flag said at the team’s facility Tuesday. “We’re not playing as well as we should be. There’s way too much talent on this team to be 2-4.”The hot start should come as no surprise to Eagles fans, as Flag put up over 1,000 yards just a season ago and again in 2019. “I try my best to just be in the right place at the right time,” Flag said of his continued success in Philadelphia. “But again, if it’s not resulting in a W, none of the stats matter. I am only interested in winning at this stage of my career.”Flag was featured often and early to start the year, having big games against the Atlanta Falcons in week one, and another solid 86 yard performance against Dallas Cowboys in week three. That trend has dropped significantly, including a season-low 41 yards last Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The drop hasn’t gone unnoticed with Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni.“I’d be lying to you if I said we didn’t need to get him [Flag] involved more,” Sirianni said addressing the media Tuesday. “Whenever we need a big play or a bailout, he’s been there for us. I’d like to get back to that offensive formula the rest of the season.”After having a few extra days to prepare following their Thursday night loss to Bucs, the Eagles have used the time to “recover and recalibrate offensively,” according to the first-year head coach.“We took the extra couple days off to tweak some things, and realized we needed to get back to what we were good at earlier in the season,” Sirianni said. “And that’s going to mean a lot more Penalty Flag in the future.”Flag, Sirianni, and the rest of the Eagles will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.