Eagles Clinch NFC East, But Jake Elliott’s Struggles Cast Shadow Over Playoff Push
The Eagles punched their ticket to the postseason on Saturday with a 29-18 win over the Commanders, locking up their second straight NFC East title. But while the scoreboard says one thing, the story beneath it tells another - and it’s centered around Jake Elliott.
Elliott, one of the league’s more experienced kickers and a Super Bowl winner, had a night to forget. He missed three field goals - two officially, one wiped off the stat sheet by a defensive penalty - and all three had the same troubling theme: pulled left.
The misses came from 43, 57, and 52 yards out, with the last one coming after a Washington offsides penalty gave him a second chance. He missed that one too.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a bad night. This is part of a larger trend that’s becoming hard to ignore.
A Night of Decisions - and Doubts
Midway through the third quarter, the Eagles were trailing by three and faced a 4th and 7 at Washington’s 38-yard line. In a typical scenario, that’s Elliott’s range.
But instead of sending him out to try and tie the game, Nick Sirianni kept the offense on the field. The play failed - until an illegal contact penalty on the Commanders bailed the Eagles out, setting up a touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert a few plays later.
Then, late in the fourth, after rookie running back Tank Bigsby rumbled in for a 22-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach, Sirianni opted to go for two. The conversion was good, tensions flared, and a scuffle broke out that led to ejections. But the message was already clear: the Eagles were actively avoiding field goal attempts.
That’s not nothing.
When a coach passes on a 55-yard attempt in a dome - or even a long extra point - it says something about where the confidence level is. And Saturday night, that confidence in Elliott just wasn’t there.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
After Saturday’s game, Elliott’s field goal percentage for the season dropped to a career-low 70.8%. He’s missed five kicks in the last five games.
If you count the one negated by penalty, it’s six. And the long-range numbers are even more concerning: he’s 4-for-8 from 50+ yards and 6-for-9 from 40-49.
That would be concerning in any season. But in today’s NFL, where 60-yarders are becoming routine and kickers are flipping games with 55-yarders in crunch time, it’s a glaring red flag. Especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
This isn’t just a cold streak - it’s a continuation of a trend. Last season, Elliott was 1-for-7 from beyond 50 yards and finished with a 77.8% field goal percentage. A strong playoff run and a Super Bowl ring helped quiet the concerns, but now, with the postseason looming again, the issues have resurfaced.
Sirianni Stays Steady, But Questions Linger
After the game, Sirianni didn’t waver in his support.
“I have the utmost confidence in Jake,” he said. “I think, like any team, you have ups and downs.
That’s just not offense, defense - that’s special teams, and that’s your kicker, too. I have a ton of confidence in him that he’ll respond, and that he’ll rebound from this because he’s mentally tough and a great kicker.”
That’s the right thing to say publicly. But actions speak louder than words, and Sirianni’s in-game decisions told a different story.
Elliott: “I Kind of Wish It Was Mental”
Elliott, to his credit, owned the performance and didn’t shy away from the questions. When asked if his struggles were mental, he gave a surprisingly candid answer:
“No, honestly, not at all. That’s kind of what’s frustrating about it - I don’t feel that way at all.
I kind of wish it was. Easier to fix.”
He also acknowledged the reality of the situation:
“It’s a production-based business. You see it all the time.”
And he’s right. In the NFL, especially in December, production is everything. Kickers don’t get the benefit of the doubt for long, especially not on teams with legitimate playoff hopes.
What Comes Next?
The Eagles are heading to the playoffs with a loaded roster, a dynamic offense, and a defense that can get after the quarterback. But they’re also heading there with a kicker whose struggles are no longer just a blip.
Elliott has been clutch before. He’s hit game-winners, nailed deep kicks in big moments, and delivered in the postseason. But right now, the consistency isn’t there - and in a postseason where one kick can decide a season, that’s a problem the Eagles can’t afford to ignore.
Whether they stick with Elliott or explore other options, the clock is ticking. And for a team that’s built to win now, every decision - especially at kicker - carries weight.