The Philadelphia Eagles were flying high with an undefeated 4-0 record this season. Then came Week 5, and the Denver Broncos grounded that flight with a 21-17 upset at Lincoln Financial Field. Now sitting at 4-1, the Eagles face a new reality, and it’s shaking up the routine they once clung to.  

Nick Sirianni, the Eagles’ HC known for his structured approach, has been forced to scrap one of his hallmark traditions: Victory Monday. It has long been a staple in the NFL. A day off after a win to rest and reset before moving on to the next challenge.

But this season, the Eagles’ leadership group swung the axe on this tradition. Ashlyn Sullivan from The Linc revealed on NBC Sports Philadelphia, “talking to Eagles players in the locker room, they have told me that Victory Monday is canceled for the Philadelphia Eagles.” 

The reason behind it is pretty simple. “This is because the Eagles leadership group of Jordan Mailata, Saquon Barkley, and Jalen Hurts went to the coaching staff and said, We don’t deserve a Victory Monday.” This was a bold move to spend the extra day watching film and correcting mistakes. 

Jordan Mailata backed it up by saying, “I almost really like not having a Victory Monday, because it brings us in…be very critical but also just be around those who understand the situation we’re in…we’re not playing to the standard.” What’s worth noting is that this sentiment isn’t new.

Last December, right after a victory against the Baltimore Ravens, players asked for the same no Victory Monday routine. Sirianni acknowledged then that the team “wanted to work” on Mondays, highlighting the importance of “reviewing the tape” to refine performance even after a win. 

So, the Eagles have doubled down on discipline. Nick Sirianni himself expressed that victories must be celebrated, but followed immediately by the grind of getting better. “You got to give yourself points for wins,” he said recently. “But make no mistake about it, you want to continue to get better, and there’s opportunities after each game to get better.”

That mindset of relentless self-improvement sets the stage for a reality check that the team can no longer ignore.

Unmasking the Eagles’ 4-1 reality

Still, the Eagles’ 4-1 start paints a bit of a misleading picture. On paper, they’re the best team in the NFC East and were steering towards their third 5-0 start in five seasons. An elite achievement for Sirianni, matched only by coaching legend Paul Brown. But this loss clears the picture. 

Their passing game is choppy, ranked 31st in the league. And their wide receivers, some of the highest-paid stars like AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, are noticeably frustrated. Brown, with just 14 receptions for 151 yards and a lone touchdown over four games, has openly voiced his displeasure with his limited role in the offense.

According to reports from Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Brown and Smith want more impact plays and touchdowns. Their current roles have them feeling “frustrated.” Particularly in critical red zone situations where tight ends or quarterback runs dominate scoring chances. 

Meanwhile, ranks 7th in the NFL in points per game. But struggles to gain yards per game and is near the bottom in passing. The play-calling, heavily reliant on runs and off-schedule throws by Jalen Hurts, has also drawn criticism. Even new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s safe, conservative play-calling has drawn fire from Brown and critics alike.

This simmering tension beneath the surface captures the dual reality the Eagles are facing after their first loss to the Broncos. The wins built respect and momentum, but the sting of defeat has sharpened the team’s internal hunger even more.