EAGLES Slay Broncos in their home.
EAGLES 30 – Broncos 13
EAGLES STATS:
New categories include an EXCLUSIVE weekly Offensive Line Report (Rushing TD’s + 3rd and 4th downs converted:missed of 2 yards or less – sacks allowed); as well as Drive Killer (Int – FR – 4th down Tackles – FF – TD).
Passing: (S) QB Jalen Hurts (16/23 – 69.5% – 178 – 2 – 1)
Rushing: (R ) RB Jordan Howard (12 – 83 – 6.9 – 0 – 0)
Receiving: (S) WR Devonta Smith (6 – 4 – 66 – 16.5 – 2)
Offensive Line Report: (0 + 3:0 – 1)
Drive Killer: (S) OLB Davion Taylor (0 – 0 – 0 – 2 – 0)
Sack Leader: (S) DE Derek Barnett (1 – 1.0 – 0 – 0)
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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: Broncos did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Press Coverage: I won’t keep you in suspense. Out of all Four Things, this is the only one we did. And as always, it resulted in a “W”. Atlanta, Carolina, Detroit and now Denver. When we play Man Press, we control the game. And why shouldn’t we?! We have two of the NFL better man coverage CB’s.
(FYI: The 4th quarter pass interference call on CB Steve Nelson (1 – 0 – 0 – 0), started with him giving a large cushion. IJS) (DONE)
2) Play-action Inside: We used play-action today, but Hurts absolutely refuses to throw passes in the middle of the field. Nearly everything with him has to be from the numbers and out. (And YES, I’m aware that the second touchdown to Smith was over the middle.) (NOT DONE)
3) Taylor-made Headache: We didn’t send Davion Taylor on any blitzes that I noticed. Yet he still managed to be a headache. That however, isn’t something I can count towards what was written. (NOT DONE)
4) Get Howard In Space: Didn’t even try. The one time it seemed like Howard got loose on a route, Hurts took off running behind him. I have no idea why the coaching staff seems hellbent to under-utilize Howard. (NOT DONE)
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This week we only pulled off 1 of the Four Things, but man how ONE it was! Next week we host the New Orleans Saints, in an attempt to get our first home win of the season.
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On The Whole:
We kept the Broncos from sweeping our division, with this win. It also kept us from being swept by the AFC West. This was a game where Offense, Defense and Special Teams contributed. (That blocked field goal by S K’Von Wallace was awesome!) It was our best win of the year so far.
We got one sack today, but all day long we put QB Teddy Bridgewater (22/36 – 61.1% – 226 – 0 – 0) under pressure, and didn’t let him get comfortable, or use his big outside weapons much. Excellent work indeed, but there were a couple of issues in this one.
Issue One, was with defending the run. We gave up 96 yards on 18 carries, for 5.3 per tote and a score. DE Josh Sweat (1 – 0 – 0 – 0) does not set the edge vs the run. That’s probably because the strong-side, is too strong for him. He’s much better suited to being a speed rushing RDE, than an anchoring LDE.
Issue Two, was with us being in the Shotgun. It already doesn’t help sell play-action, but when we’re in the ‘gun, Hurts play-action mechanics absolutely fall apart. His half-hearted jabs of the football, does more to slow his read, than to slow defenders. Put him back under C.
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