DeSean Jackson isnt just doing little to help the Eagles win.
Now, hes helping them lose.
Jackson struggled through a third consecutive lackluster receiving game Monday night against the Bears and also committed a costly fumble deep inside Eagles' territory that led to a touchdown just before halftime of the Bears 30-24 win at the Linc.
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Jackson has had a series of disappointing games. This was the worst.
Jackson had just two receptions for 16 yards Monday night, without a catch longer than 10 yards. In his last three games, he has just eight catches for 93 yards without a reception longer than 23 yards.
For a guy who over the last few years was one of the NFLs most feared deep threats, the numbers are shocking.
After recording 11 touchdown catches of 35 yards or more in his first three NFL seasons, Jackson doesnt have any long TD catches this year.
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At times, were able to go out there and get big plays and big throws down the field, but obviously a lot of teams are on to that and trying to do everything in their power to not let us run down the field and make the big plays that weve been doing the past couple years, Jackson said at his locker. Weve got to find a way to make it happen and get through that.
Jackson hasnt had a 100-yard game since Week 4 against the 49ers, and he has just one touchdown catch in his last seven games.
After two consecutive 1,000-yard Pro Bowl seasons, Jackson has been mediocre for several weeks now.
In five out of the Eagles eight games, hes had fewer than 50 receiving yards.
The defenses are trying to take away what we do best, Jackson said. Weve got to be able to figure it out. Myself, at times, its frustrating, because I am used to making the big plays, scoring long touchdowns, things like that, but right now, its not really working. Defenses are not letting it happen. Weve just got to figure it out.
As disappointing as Jacksons receiving numbers were Monday night, his fumbled punt return was devastating.
The Eagles had just tied the game at 10-all on Brian Rolles fumble recovery and touchdown return, and they appeared to have a ton of momentum going into halftime.
But after Jackson fielded Adam Podleshs punt at the 20, danced around for minus-nine yards, then got stripped by Zackary Bowman. Sam Hurd recovered at the 11, and moments later the Bears went into halftime with a 17-10 lead.
I was just trying to make a play, Jackson said. The punter did a great job of getting it to the sideline and kind of turned me around, and when I turned around there were guys right there and its on me to protect the ball, but things happen like that, its a part of football.
Its unfortunate, because it was right before half, and they scored and it put them up seven.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.