Eagles Clinch NFC East, But Jake Elliott's Struggles Loom Large Ahead of Playoffs
The Philadelphia Eagles have weathered their fair share of adversity this season, but with two straight wins under their belt - including a gritty 29-18 victory over Washington - they’ve punched their ticket to the postseason and locked up the NFC East crown. At 10-5, they’re firmly planted as the No. 3 seed in the NFC, with a shot to climb higher over the final two weeks of the regular season.
But while the team is trending upward in the win column, there’s a growing concern that could cast a shadow over their playoff hopes - and it’s coming from a place most teams can’t afford to be shaky: the kicking game.
Jake Elliott’s Slump Raising Red Flags
Let’s get straight to it - Jake Elliott has not looked like himself. The Eagles' veteran kicker has struggled mightily down the stretch, and the numbers aren’t pretty.
He’s hit just 17 of 24 field goal attempts this season, giving him a league-worst 70.8% conversion rate. For context, that’s a steep drop from the consistency fans have come to expect from him.
Against Washington in Week 16, Elliott missed two field goals - and nearly a third, if not for a penalty that gave him a second shot. While the Eagles ultimately pulled out the win, those missed opportunities could loom much larger in a tighter playoff matchup, where every point counts and field goals often make the difference between advancing and going home.
This isn’t just a one-off either. Elliott has missed at least one field goal in four of the last five games - a troubling trend for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Coaching Staff Still Standing Behind Him
Despite the rough patch, the Eagles haven’t brought in any competition for Elliott. Head coach Nick Sirianni has continued to publicly back his kicker, expressing confidence in Elliott’s ability to bounce back. It’s a bold stance, especially considering how reliable Elliott was last season, particularly from long range - he was 7-for-7 on field goals of 50-plus yards in 2024.
But this year’s version of Elliott hasn’t looked like that same guy. Whether it’s mechanics, confidence, or something else entirely, the Eagles are choosing to ride it out with him - for better or worse.
Postseason Pressure Could Magnify the Issue
The playoffs are a different animal. Games get tighter, margins get slimmer, and kickers often find themselves in the spotlight with everything on the line. Elliott has postseason experience - last year, he was 10-of-11 on field goals, a solid mark - but he also missed three extra points in that same run, which can’t be overlooked.
If the Eagles find themselves in a close playoff game, there’s a very real chance they’ll need Elliott to come through in a high-pressure moment. Right now, that’s a gamble. And while the offense and defense are showing signs of rounding into form, special teams - particularly the kicking game - could be the Achilles’ heel if this team wants to make another deep postseason run.
Bottom Line
The Eagles are back in the playoffs and NFC East champs once again. That’s no small feat, especially after a midseason skid that had fans and analysts alike raising eyebrows. But if they want to make it past the early rounds - and potentially back to the Super Bowl - they’ll need every phase of the game firing on all cylinders.
Right now, the kicking game isn’t holding up its end of the bargain. And as the postseason looms, Jake Elliott’s struggles aren’t just a stat line - they’re a storyline that could define the Eagles’ season.