The Eagles inability to close out games is not only  embarrassing, but also infuriating as a fan. 

Sunday’s 35-31 loss to the Cardinals was the ninth time this season that the Eagles built a double-digit lead in a game.

The Eagles lost three of those games and only won two by double digits. So, that means four of those games that were won were struggles after having a double-digit lead.

Against the Patriots, the Eagles led by 16 points but only won by seven. Against the Vikings, the Eagles had a 20-point lead and won by just six. They led Dallas by 11 points and only won by five. Two weeks ago, they had a 17-point lead over the Giants and won by eight.

And here comes the collapses….

The Eagles led the Jets by 11 points but lost by seven. They led the Seahawks by 10 and lost by three. They led the Cardinals by 15 and lost by four.

The Eagles have gotten leads in all these games, but they cannot close out games. Are they just having trouble with late execution? The play calling certainly does not help, but there is something else missing. They can’t maintain momentum or do what it takes to finish off teams.

The reason?

Well, I guess that’s just a sign of bad team. Each week I hope it gets better, but never does. And if the Eagles have figured out how to close out games by now, then they never will.

And they can’t expect to win these games when they can’t stop a team, too. Even if they have a lead, the odds are the opposing team will stop them on defense eventually. Most teams, good or bad, don’t score in every possession, unless you the Cardinals, I guess…

So part of their inability to sustain leads has to do with the defense allowing teams to keep scoring in the second half. Even after making the switch to Matt Patrica, the Eagles defense is still atrocious. Even with some players out with injuries (such as Zach Cunningham and Darius Slay), the defense is just not there.

The Eagles’ offense needs to do a better job late in games to preserve the lead, too. At least they build leads, but the problem is sustaining it.

Last season the Eagles built and maintained leads, and were able to run out the clock in the fourth quarter. I don’t know where that went because this is essentially the same offense, minus a few pieces.

And that’s was frustrating…

The fact the Eagles can score and can build leads but cannot finish. They can’t hammer down the final nail in the coffin.

And, again, we are entering Week 18. If they haven’t figured it out yet, there’s not enough time for them anymore. This team is exactly how it looks.

All they can do is hope they can turn things around.

Maybe they can go up 21-6 against the Giants and, unlike the Cardinals, actually finish the game. Right now, that is just a nice dream to have but it’s not a reality.

In my opinion, the Eagles’ inability to close out games has to be one of the worst things about this team.