PHILADELPHIA — It’s gotten so bad, even their notorious fans couldn’t bring themselves to boo anymore in the second half.
The Eagles merely prompt listless resignation now, both from this city and many of their own players and coaches based on last night’s 30-22 loss to the woeful Panthers that wasn’t nearly as interesting as the score would indicate.
Andy Reid remains Dead Coach Walking after the Eagles — a mere four months removed from Michael Vick labeling them a potential dynasty — fell to 3-8 with their seventh consecutive loss and eighth in the past nine games.
But even that doesn’t truly reflect how ugly this latest setback was for Philadelphia. The Eagles were riddled at home on national TV by a team that came in 2-8 and recently fired its general manager in advance of a promised offseason housecleaning.
“I’m so [angry] right now that I wanted to fight somebody at the end of the game,” said Eagles defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins, brother of former Jet Kris Jenkins. “This is embarrassing.”
If not for rookie running back Bryce Brown, the night would have been even more of a disaster for Reid and the Birds. Playing in place of the injured LeSean McCoy, Brown romped for 178 yards and two TDs on just 19 carries.
But in keeping with the theme of an Eagles season gone completely off the rails, even that came with an asterisk as Brown lost two fumbles — the second of which resulted in what proved to be the game-winning points.
“Big plays are getting us the last few weeks,” said Reid, who added that owner Jeff Lurie hasn’t spoken to him about his job security. “It’s just sloppy football.”
The rest of the recipe for this latest Philly loss was oh-so familiar: tentative play from rookie quarterback Nick Foles, hapless play by the offensive line and pass defense so hilariously inept, it almost defied belief.
In the four games since firing defensive coordinator Juan Castillo in late October and replacing him with Todd Bowles, the Eagles came in allowing opposing passers to complete 78 percent of their passes without an interception.
That trend didn’t change one bit last night as Cam Newton took a break from his miserable season to look like 2011’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year again, courtesy of the Eagles’ pitiful cast of cover men.
Rarely even breathed on by the Philly pass rush, Newton completed 18 of his 28 passes for 306 yards and two TDs while seemingly having his pick all night of receivers who couldn’t have been more wide open.
The Eagles had no more success stopping Newton on the ground, as he added two rushing TDs while leading the Panthers with 52 yards on 15 attempts.
And to add injury to insult, Reid’s decimated team lost two more key pieces when receiver DeSean Jackson and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox departed early and didn’t return.
The devastation is so complete already, it’s hard to believe this is even remotely the same team that beat the Giants on this same field in late September.
That was also the last time the Eagles won a game, and if they keep going the way they are, it could very well be their last victory of the season — and Reid’s Philly career.
“This is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before,” wideout Jeremy Maclin said. “Last year [when the Eagles finished 8-8] was bad, but this is just different. You almost can’t believe it.”