The Philadelphia Eagles have built their identity in the trenches. While the headlines often go to Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J.
Brown, and rookie standout Cooper DeJean, this team’s foundation is its offensive line. That’s been the blueprint under Nick Sirianni and GM Howie Roseman-win at the line of scrimmage, and everything else flows from there.
But lately? That formula’s been breaking down.
Monday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers was the latest in a string of games where the Eagles just didn’t look like themselves. And it wasn’t hard to spot the issue.
Once again, they were without All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson, and during the game, Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson went down with an injury. With two cornerstones of the offensive line missing, the offense sputtered-and not for the first time.
Here’s the stat that tells the whole story: the Eagles are now 0-3 this season when Johnson doesn’t play. That’s not just a coincidence-it’s a trend.
Since Johnson entered the league in 2013, Philadelphia is 120-62-1 when he’s in the lineup. Without him?
Just 15-27. That’s a .656 win percentage with him versus .357 without.
That’s not a drop-off-it’s a cliff.
It’s easy to point fingers elsewhere. Hurts has struggled with turnovers.
A.J. Brown had some costly drops in Week 14.
The run game, even with Barkley, has been frustratingly inconsistent. And offensive pass game coordinator Kevin Patullo has taken his fair share of heat.
But when the offensive line isn’t clicking-especially without Johnson-everything else falls apart.
This isn’t just about numbers. Johnson brings stability, leadership, and a physical edge that sets the tone for the entire team.
He’s the kind of player whose presence you feel even when he’s not touching the ball. Without him, the Eagles’ offense has looked disjointed, and the protection for Hurts has been noticeably shakier.
The good news? Johnson is expected back in Week 15 when the Eagles host the struggling Las Vegas Raiders.
And if recent history holds, his return could be the jolt this team desperately needs. With the NFC playoff race tightening and the Eagles on a three-game skid, getting their anchor back couldn’t come at a better time.
Still, it’s a bit unsettling for a team with as much talent as Philly to be this dependent on one player. We’re talking about a roster loaded with stars on both sides of the ball, from Haason Reddick and Darius Slay on defense to DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert on offense.
This is supposed to be one of the deepest, most complete teams in the league. And yet, when Johnson’s not on the field, the entire operation seems to wobble.
That’s the paradox the Eagles are facing. They know how vital Johnson is.
He’s been a cornerstone of this franchise for over a decade. But they also know they can’t afford to be one injury away from unraveling.
Especially not in December. Especially not with playoff positioning on the line.
So yes, Johnson’s return offers hope. But it also underscores a bigger question: Can the Eagles find a way to win when the trenches aren’t fully intact? Because if they want to make another deep postseason run, they’ll need to prove they’re more than just the sum of their healthiest parts.
For now, though, all eyes are on Sunday. Johnson’s back.
The Raiders are coming to town. And the Eagles have a chance to remind the league who they are-starting with the guys up front.