WE defeated Lambeau Field, while the Packers were running around on it. It was a defensive slugfest, where our guys went out and took the ball away for us. Twice. We scored when we needed to, as our K Jake Elliott made a FG, even when their kicker missed. (On both tries.) It wasn’t flamboyant, but we notched all of the Four Thing markers
Now with reinforcements joining our front seven, we’ll have the muscle to contain run games and finish at the QB. Like the raw meat being thrown to us this week. There is no way that this Lions QB can outrun DE Jaylx Hunt, or OLBNolan Smith.
With a win, we move up to 8 – 2. We’d have at least a share of the best record in the conference.
With a loss, we’d be 7 – 3, still atop the NFC East, with a few games cushion.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Lions
DT Jalen Carter slows down former Raider RB Josh Jacobs.
1) Play the Run First: When the Lions have run for 100 yards or more this season, they are 6 – 0. When they run for fewer than 100 yards, they are 0 – 3. This one seems obvious. Until it’s time to pin our ears back and rush the passer, this defensive front has to be keyed to stop the Lions run game.
Setting the edges and boxing in the runners, has to be the approach that we start out with. If we get a big lead, we can alter that approach. But we have to start out by boxing them in, first. If we let these guys get to the edges of our Defense, it’s going to be a very long evening.
2) GottaFeed the Dawgs:Not hits. Sacks. At least three of them in this game. The Lions QB is a statue. He’s not a guy who’s going to run away from a defense. If we can get him moving and consistently throwing from off-platform, he will likely share the football with us, at least once.
3) Use our Wide Receivers:the Lions don’t have anything remotely like an answer for WR A.J. Brown or WR DeVonta Smith. Odds are, their coach is going to spend his currency on stopping our run game. So the only thing that would keep our receivers from at least 12 total catches between them, would be our play-calling.
4) Run Hurts More:In every game where the Lions faced a mobile QB, that team scored in the area of 30 points. Again, the Lions QB is a statue, so their defense doesn’t see that aspect in practice. Stands to reason that they are not very well versed in stopping it. And that’s where QB Jalen Hurts gives us a huge boost.
We don’t need a specific number of yards, but when the pocket breaks down, don’t scramble, just run. Maybe have one or two designed runs early, to open the threat, and help clear space for RB Saquon Barkley. This is probably something we’d like to save for the playoffs, but this kind of is a playoff game. A win will give us a tie-breaker, and seriously strengthen the Eagles bid for home-field advantage.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
The Lions players circled this game when the schedule came out, and we’re playing for playoff level stakes. So have no doubt about it; we will be getting the best punch that the Lions can muster, on Sunday night. This can’t be another game where our coaching staff inexplicably handicaps us, by not using our big guns. We must come out firing.
The Lions (especially their head coach), are always talking like they want a fight, and preaching toughness. This is Philadelphia. We own the market on those two things! Meanwhile, the Lions are just playing at it. Well Sunday, they have an appointment to exchange an ounce of Fuck Around, for a ton of Find Out. Here, kitty kitty….
Because not only will our players be there, but so will many of you. The Lions circled the game, so now we’ll circle the wagons. We rally ‘round the family…
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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
EXPLOSIVE stuff last week, as WR DeVonta Smithand WRA.J. Brown combined for 304 of QBJalen Hurts 326 passing yards. The giants enter this game with the 26th ranked pass defense in the league. So if they decide to sellout against the run like last time… we should have something for that ass!
Winning pushes us to 6 – 2, and a mostly restful Bye week. (Tweaks still must be made.)
A loss, would stall us at 5 – 3 and mean we were swept by the giants. Our record would be enough to keep control of the NFC East for another week, but under these circumstances, almost no one would take us seriously.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals likeRunning the ball; playing lots ofMan Press; andTackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the giants
1) Slant Against Their Run:Stop playing opposing run games straight up and down! The idea is to get a hat in a gap, to make their RB’s have to do extra work, just to get out of the backfield. The giants don’t exactly employ dangerous cutback runners, so we should, (especially on early downs), slant to a side to clog the lanes.
2) Don’t Abandon Saquon:In both of our losses this year, we got away from running the ball looong before we needed to. In those games RB Saquon Barkley finished with 6 carries in the 17 – 21 loss; and 12 carries in the 17 – 34 loss, (though we abandoned the run when the score was 17 – 20).
This week, if only to give our Defense long enough to catch their breath, we need to play complimentary football, and try to get Barkley in the area of 20 carries. It also helps to sell the play-action, as we just saw vs the Vikings. Nobody buys play-action from the Shotgun. Especially if we never actually hand it off.
3) Target our Wide Receivers:Last game against the giants, Hurts threw for 283 yards, and TE Dallas Goedert had 9 catches for 110 yards and a score. Goedert can run, but he’s no WR. So like last time, the giants will probably be willing to concede him. That would allow them to keep loading up the box, and short-circuiting our run.
If we’re going to create room for our run game, we’re going to have to spread their defense out. That means throwing the ball to the boundaries, and throwing the ball to real speed. We have to seriously threaten the giants this time around.
4) Complete the Sack: We get pressure on QB’s. What we don’t do, is bring them down once we have a hand on them. This results in sustained drives, and letting opponents remain competitive in games they shouldn’t. We got two sacks last time, we need at least four in this one.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
The un-retiring of DE Brandon Grahammakes me feel better about this team already. I’ve been saying for weeks now (nowhere on-line) that the Eagles need a spark-plug player, because once Graham retired, we were out of those. I have… concerns over how well he’ll hold up, but having his energy in the locker room should be great for everyone.
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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
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: VIKINGS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Get Barkley 18 Carries: Saquon had exactly 18 carries, and every single one of them mattered. Especially with us losing the time of possession 25 minutes to 34. More important than the 44 rushing yards, real hand-offs helped sell the play-action. The last three hand-offs were just to kill clock, and preserve players for next week.
Teams have been absolutely selling out against the run, to prevent Saquon from beating them. Too often this season the Eagles have allowed themselves to be victims of that. Today, we took massive advantage of it. As a result, I think next week, the run game will have much better production. (DONE)
2) Lead the Receivers: I said “Throw the ball to our receivers on the move.” Boy did we ever! Our WR’s averaged 23.3 yards per catch this week! Hurts had five pass plays where the ball was in the air for 20 or more yards. Strikes of 37 (TD), 79 (TD), 28, 26 (TD), and 45 yards, ALL of those passes hit receivers while they were on the move.
WR A.J. Brown draws first blood with a 37 yard TD catch and run.
DeVonta Smith and WR A.J. Brown (6 – 4 – 121 – 30.3 – 2) accounted for 304 of Hurts 326 passing yards. They showed the NFL what can happen if too many resources are committed to stopping our run game, without enough respect for our passing game. Expect more room for Saquon to run, in the near future. (DONE)
3) Pinch the ‘A’ Gaps: We held Minnesota to 89 total yards rushing, but our DT’s still spent too many plays crashing directly into offensive linemen, and not the gaps beside them. As a result we really didn’t get much quick penetration. We made playing defense, harder on ourselves than it should have been. (NOT DONE)
4) Contest TE Releases:We started out doing this on the opening drive; but as the game wore on, I’m not sure if we kept doing it, orif they were just trying chip on the way out. Doesn’t matter. It resulted in few easy TE looks, poor production (10 – 7 – 52 – 7.4 – 0) and the QB reading longer. Which were exactly the tactic and goal. (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was3 of 4, in a game that we controlled from the outset. Next up, we host a giants team that will be coming in with more confidence than they should. Ahhh, youth!
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QB Jalen Hurts gunning down the Vikings defense.
Game Hero: Jalen Hurts: While the true foundation of this offensive explosion is Saquon Barkley, it was Hurts who executed and capitalized on the opportunities provided to him. There were no weird overthrows from clean pockets, or unseen receivers running wide open, this week.
Instead, Hurts put on an absolute clinic, with a completion percentage above 82, and a perfect QB rating of 158.3. If your fetish includes QBR numbers, his was 95.2 (whatever that means). I don’t get into the weeds on such metrics. I care about yards and touchdown to interception ratios. Hurts had 326 yards and a 3:0 ratio. He was HIM.
Game goat: CB’s Adoree Jackson/Kelee Ringo: All these guys do is tackle, and neither does so very reliably. Is it possible to get rookie CB Mac McWilliams some snaps?
On The Whole: We controlled the game from start to finish, and doled out gut punch after gut punch, as we went. We repeatedly rocked Minnesota, and we played keep away with the lead, from the moment we went up 7 – 0. But we never got the knockout.
Pass rush, specifically sack production, continues to be a point of worry. Allowing QB’s to constantly escape a tackle, keeps opponents in manageable down and distance situations. As a result, we’re keeping opponents in games that they shouldn’t be in.
OLB Jaylx Hunt returning an interception for a touchdown
We did the same thing again, this week. We just won a game in which we scored 4 touchdowns, over an opponent who scored only 1, and difference in the final score was just 6 points. SIX. Something is very not right with that.
Again, opposing time of possession this week, was 34 minutes them, to 25 us. Part of that is our run game not eating clock. The other part, is when third and ten becomes first and ten, after a QB scrambles away from a sack, 16 yards up the middle. That one happened TODAY!
It’s a detail, but it has a huge ripple effect. We have to start getting QB’s on the ground.
CONGRATULATIONS giants and Broncos! For two straight weeks, teams not only beat us, but they celebrated like they had won a trip to the Super Bowl itself. Smoke machines in their locker room. Ripping off shirts in front of reporters. Taking a victory rides down Broad Street… Jeez! Talk about living rent-free in someone’s head.
The fact is, teams hold the Eagles in extremely high esteem. Heck, even this week’s opponent, the Vikings, find themselves rallying behind an old ex of ours. You know. The one without the statue. Yeah, when he thinks of what could have been, I wonder if it ever… Hurts.
A win and we’re 5 – 2, solidly atop the NFC East.
A loss, means we stumble to 4 – 3, leaving Washington in a position to take over first place in the division. (Eagles fans: This week we’re rooting for Dallas over D.C.)
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The point ofFour Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Vikings.
[pic]
1) Get Barkley 18 Carries: Getting RB Saquon Barkley at least 18 hand-offs in this game, should be the Eagles most important mission for the week. In some regards, it’s even more important than the win itself. Listen. Without actual hand-offs, we can’t sell play-action or set up QB Jalen Hurts for productive keepers on RPO’s.
Also, with us going three and out so much, our Defense is on the field too much. They’re getting tired earlier and earlier in games, as the season wears on. We need to take back time of possession, so that the Defense isn’t too worn down come playoffs. Giving Barkley 18 carriers has long term benefits for the stability of the Offense.
2) Lead the Receivers:We’re seeing a lot of turn and stop routes for Eagles WR’s. It’s allowing for quick tackles, and for defenders to contest many of these passes. Let’s keep them at a disadvantage and throw the ball to our receivers on the move.
Doesn’t need to be a deep throw either. (For example: Play-action to draw the LB’s up, and then hit WR A.J. Brown on a 7 yard Crosser.) Put the ball in front of them so they doesn’t have to stop or gear down. It would also help make illegal contact or pass interference very easy to identify.
Admit it. You want to see another moment like this one.
3) Pinch the ‘A’ Gaps: In recent weeks, our DT’s have spent too much time playing G’s straight up. As a result, we’re getting no penetration and blown off the line of scrimmage vs the run. This needs to stop.Deliberately knife into at least one of the gaps on every play. Ruin every run concept that isn’t a 23 Dive. Ruin the timing. Ruin the landmarks established in practice. Ruin the trust.
4) Contest TE’s Releases: The Vikings go to their TE a lot. Don’t give him clean releases off the line. Muddy the underneath coverage and force the Vikings QB into bis third and fourth reads. Give our pass rush time to get home.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
Give LB Jihaad Campbell some reps at LDE. As I said in my Draft Report, it seems like this was the Eagles plan the entire season. We’ve spent the last two weeks watching QB’s outrace our DE’s. They won’t be able to pull that off vs Campbell.
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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
Drive Killer: DT Jordan Davis (TD: 1/Int: 0/ FR: 1/ 4th down stops: 1/ FF: 0)
Sack Leader: DT Jordan Davis (Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 5)
Special Teams Ace: DT Jordan Davis 1FG Block, recovery, scoop and score
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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: RAMSdid the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Pound the Rock: In the first half, Saquon Barkley had 7 carries for 13 yards (1.8ypc). We didn’t do enough to establish the inside run, and the passes to Saquon, behind the Line of Scrimmage, only served to keep defenders close to the line. We doubled down on beating ourselves here.
WR A.J. Brown breaking the fuck out of a tackle
Things opened up in the second half, as Jalen Hurts just started winging the ball to A.J. Brown, which opened up the box, just enough for Saquon to be legitimate threat on his remaining 11 carries for 33 yards (3.0ypc). If we’d come out with this mindset, there would have never been a 19 point hole to climb out of. (NOT DONE)
2) Make Their QB Run: Right off the bat, I’ll say that we didn’t do this. However, we might have either, just spoiled the Rams entire season, by exposing a tell to their future opponents; or set ourselves up to beat them again in the playoffs.
QB Matt Stafford (19/33 – 57.5% – 196 – 2 – 1) when facing pressure, more often elected to throw off his back foot, or not step into a throw, instead of scramble. The result was that more than a few of his passes were uncharacteristically high or long, of their target. That could be useful information if we face them in the playoffs. (NOT DONE)
3) Involve Goedert Early: It wasn’t until the third quarter when TE Dallas Goedert(2 – 1 – 33 – 33.0 – 1) saw a target. It was an easy 33 yard strike for a touchdown. Right down the hash. He only saw two targets on the day. Not having to cover him, kept the box loaded and neutered our run game. Great job, Kevin! (NOT DONE)
4) Let’s Safety Dance: It was a relatively quiet day for rookie S Andrew Mukuba (3 tackles) who spent much of the day in deep coverage, because CB Adoree Jackson (5 tackles) is a liability. After he went out with an injury, CB Jakorian Bennett(5 tackles) took over as the guy who allows completions. (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was 1 of 4. Which is exactly how we ended up being down 7 – 26 in the third quarter. The thing is, we’re a team that can push past adversity, and the Rams are a team that unravels when they get punched in the mouth. That won’t be the case next week. Next on the docket are the Buccaneers, and they seem to thrive on getting punched in the mouth. Worse yet, they’ve had our number as of recently.
(Fun Fact: We played away at the Bucs on 9/28/24 and it was 88 degrees. This year we play away at the Bucs on 9/29/25. As of now, the weather forecast calls for 88 degrees.)
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DT Jordan Davis didn’t just block this field goal, he damned near caught it.
Game Hero: DT Jordan Davis – Our only sack. A fourth down Tackle For Loss. A field goal block to win the game. The scoop and score after the block, was just icing on the cake and a reward for me having started the Eagles DST in my fantasy football league. (If I win tomorrow, Davis’s TD will be a key reason why.)
All game long, the Rams K was getting credit for knuckle-balling his kickoffs, so that they would dribble along the ground, making it hard for our returners to corral them. What I think happened, was too much of the his kickoff mechanics, found their way into his field goal mechanics. Hence the low trajectory and two blocks.
Game goat: Offensive Co-ordinator Kevin Patullo – He called the first half of game like he doesn’t know who his players are. Once the decision was made to let our QB throw down the field, the entire game changed complexion. Which proves that the only thing missing initially, was his will to threaten our opponent.
Listen, when Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels is fired, I would love to see him added to this staff as a “consultant” or whatever, and transitioned to OC in 2026. His head coaching run in Miami was so disastrous, that it’ll be years before he gets another nibble. So we’d get to keep an offensive innovator for multiple years.
On The Whole: Once LB Zack Baun (7 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) intercepted Stafford on the Rams first drive, and we scored a touchdown off of it, I just knew that we were about to blowout the Rams. And then, all four of our frickin’ wheels fell off the car.
The Rams beat us deep for six (getting the extra point), and then we surrendered four field goals, while being shutout of the second quarter. At the half it was 7 – 19. After the half, we fumbled our first possession, and the Rams added another touchdown. Now we were down 7 – 26. A deficit of 19 points.
As a teen, I read that a final difference of 20 points, is a blowout. I have used that metric as a guideline for over thirty years now. It’s why I never said that we blew the Chiefs out, in the Super Bowl. Today however, we were in danger of being blown out at home.
WR DeVonta Smith catches the game winning touchdown.
Then, as if flipping a switch, Jalen Hurts threw Geodert a touchdown. The Rams punted, and Hurts throws Brown a touchdown. Suddenly were down by five points. They go out on downs. We go out on downs. Then DT Jalen Carter(3 tackles) blocks a FG! Are you serious!? Hurts throws WR DeVonta Smith (9 – 8 – 60 – 7.5 – 1) a touchdown, and for the first time since the first quarter, we have the lead!
We go for two, and miss it. Our lead is one point, and the Rams have ball.
The Rams only need a field goal and have 1:48 to get it. They play to ensure that our Offense will not see the ball again. With three seconds left in the game, the Rams attempt a 44 yard field goal.
IT’S BLOCKED! The Eagles have w- Wait! Did Jordan Davis recover the football! He did! He’s running with it! There’s a convoy behind him! Look at the big man go, look at- Oh my god, he’s going to score! There are no flags! HE’S IN THE ENDZONE!
DT Jordan Davis returns a field goal that he blocked and recovered, 61 yards for a touchdown
This game was one for the books. But it still doesn’t get Patullo off the hook! Mike McDaniels in Philadelphia? Think about it.
PHILADELPHIA 2024 finished as the Super Bowl Champions, with a record of 14 – 3, Winner of the NFC East with a record of 14 – 3, 27.7 pspg (7th), and 17.8 papg (2nd)
The team got out to a slow start, with a 2 – 2 record. We took advantage of an early Bye Week, and used it to button up some deficiencies. There’ve been a lot of offseason losses for this team, but the roster is deep, and those players looking to step up, will get their chance to.
Heading into the pre-season, this is how things look today:
OFFENSE
QB: Jalen Hurts(248/361 – 68.7% – 2903 – 18 – 5 / 150 – 630 – 3.0 – 14) posted a 12 – 3 record in 2024. He led the Eagles to the division crown, then through the playoffs and ultimately to victory in the Super Bowl, where he took MVP honors.
Tanner McKee (30/45 – 66.7% – 323 – 4 – 0) won his only game as a starter, leading Eagles back-ups against giants starters in a 20 – 13 win. That made Philadelphia feel secure enough to trade away last year’s back-up Kenny Pickett to Cleveland, and give the #2 job to McKee.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson(DTR) is who the Eagles received in the trade for Pickett. His two year NFL career has been marked by struggle, but that may be down to playing for Cleveland. He’ll compete for the 3rd string job vs rookieKyle McCord. McCord is said to be a bit of a gunslinger. These two should see plenty of preseason action. (+)
RB: Offensive Player of the year Saquon Barkley(345 – 2005 – 5.8 – 13) led the league in rushing and yards from scrimmage in 2024. He was also the focal point of the Chiefs defense in the Super Bowl, which allowed the rest of the Eagles Offense to flow so smoothly. Credit needs to be given for that. Odds are against him rushing for another 2000 yards in 2025. In fact, a stat line closer to 256 – 1228 – 4.8 – 8 seems more likely.
Just because the Eagles won’t give the ball to Barkley as much, doesn’t mean they won’t still run it a ton. Sharing the load this year will be second year man Will Shipley (30 – 82 – 2.7 – 0), who had his struggles last year, but is said to be looking sharp in early Training Camp
A.J. Dilloncomes over from the Packers, after sitting out all of 2024 with a neck stinger. He’s a big back who can catch the ball, and pick up blitzes. If he is truly recovered, the Eagles backfield is going to be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses.
Rookie Montrell Johnsonis a between the Tackles bully, who runs behind his pads. More of a violent runner than a creative one.
WR: A.J. Brown(67 – 1079 – 16.1 – 7) is probably the most dangerous receiver in the sport. He doesn’t put up the biggest numbers. Then again his numbers aren’t empty calories, as they’ve contributed to wins, Super Bowl appearances, and an actual championship. The Chases, Jeffersons, Lambs, and St. Browns of the league can’t claim any of that.
DeVonta Smith (68 – 833 – 12.3 – 8) had a catch percentage of 76.4 last season, and he caught “The Dagger” in Super Bowl LIX. Fucking legend. Jahan Dotson (19 – 216 – 11.6 – 0) seems firmly entrenched at the #3 here. Of his 19 catches 12 were first downs. He’s been reliable when the ball is thrown to him, but he can’t throw himself the football.
Johnny Wilson (5 – 38 – 7.6 – 1) and Anias Smith (7 – 41 – 5.9 – 1) may find themselves fighting off Elijah Cooks and Terrace Marshallfor the #4 spot, as the Eagles seem hellbent to keep an undersized KR/PR specialist like either Avery Williams or rookie Ife Adeyiat the #5 spot. (+)
TE: Dallas Goedert(42 – 496 – 11.8 – 2) is a great receiving option and blocker. The knock on him, is that he hasn’t played even a 16 game season since before the COVID epidemic.Grant Calcaterra (24 – 298 – 12.4 – 1) is a very good receiver. He’d be the starter, but his blocking leaves much to be desired.
E.J. Jenkins (1 – 7 – 7.0 – 1), veterans Kylen Gransonand Harrison Bryant and rookie Cameron Latu are all fighting for that #3 spot. The group has an excellent starter, but the steep fall-off after him, is troubling. Especially since he almost certainly will mis games again. (-)
OT: RTLane Johnson is one of the best EVER at his position. Here is the short listof players stacked ahead of him, and some of those rankings are very debatable.
RT Jordan Mailata is probably the most amazing story in the NFL. From never playing football until he was 22, to one of the NFL’s (and therefore the planet’s) premier players of the position, earning his first All-Pro nod at 27. This was despite missing 5 games. He’s still a better run blocker than pass blocker though.
Darian Kinnardhas been in the NFL for two years, with two different teams, and each year his team won the Super Bowl. So he can’t be allowed off the roster! Kendall Lamm is a career back-up coming from Miami to add depth. Brett Toth has been off and on with the Eagles organization since 2020. But the latter two players aren’t in the long-term picture.
The Eagles have a pair of well developing 2025 6th rounders, in Myles Hinton (son of former All-Pro OT Chris Hinton), and Cameron Williams. There’s also Laekin Vakalahi, an undrafted player on a three-year international development contract via the International Player Pathway, which the Eagles developed Mialata through. (+)
G: LG Landon Dickerson has developed into an annual Pro-Bowler, (for whatever that’s worth these days) and is the key to the Brotherly Shove play. Tyler Steen has been capable in spot duty, and will almost certainly be the starting RG to open 2025.
Swingman Matt Pryorreturns to the Eagles after aHeading into the pre-season, this is how things look today: four year, three team tour of the league. He’s better inside than on the edge. The Eagles traded Houston for Kenyon Green. He was a 1st round pick in 2022, but has so far underachieved. He has the tools for Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland to successfully harness the potential that the Texans were wasting.
Trevor Keegan was a 5th round pick last year but moves keep being made around him, instead of involving him. Hollin Pierce is a 6’8 341 pound college LT, being kicked inside and given the Mehki Becton treatment. The starters are solid, there’s a versatile veteran back-up, and even a couple of projects with very high upsides, in development. Stacked. (+)
C: In his first year of sliding over and taking over for a future Hall Of Famer, Cam Jurgens only won a Super Bowl and earned his first Pro Bowl nod. All that while playing through (since corrected) nerve pain in his back. Fucking legend. Drew Kendall is 5th round pick from this year, (who’s dad Pete also played some C in the NFL). To this point he’s made no noise in training camp.(+)
In A Nutshell: Despite a lack of depth at TE, this looks like it’ll be a top ten unit again in 2025.
DEFENSE
DE: The Eagles technically list just one player at this position, Ogbo Okoronknwo. He’s a 29 year old situational pass rusher, who won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021. In six seasons he has 17 sacks, with his career-high being 5 in 2022. (+)
DT: The Eagles are LOADED here. Jalen Carter (42 – 4.5 – 0 – 0) sees a double on almost every play and still produces big plays. Jordan Davis (27 – 1.0 – 0 – 1) was a terror during the 2024 playoff run, due to a fitness regiment that he began last season. He kept it up in the offseason, and now comes in more agile and much faster. Sweet Jesus.
Moro Ojomo (20 tackles) has spent the last two years playing behind Milton Williams, who left for the Patriots. Because of this and his high motor, Ojomo is expected to take a huge step up this season. Rookie 4th rounder Ty Robinson has the ability to play both inside and outside.Byron Young is a 2023 3rd round pick, who was out of football in 2024. (+)
OLB: Nolan Smith (42 – 6.5 – 0 – 2) took a big step in 2024 while starting ten games. He looks to do the same in 2025, as he is no longer splitting starts with the retired Brandon Graham. Second year man, Jaylx Hunt(21 – 1.5 – 0 – 0) takes over for the Josh Sweat, who left for Arizona.
Free agents Joshua Uche (Chiefs) and Azeez Ojulari (giants), provide excellent veteran depth, as well as a history of being very good pass rushers. Patrick Johnson comes back to Philadelphia after a season with the giants. Antwaun Powell-Ryland was a 2024 6th rounder. It’s crazy just how deep this position is. (+)
M/ILB: Zack Baun (151 – 3.5 – 1 – 1) transitioned from situational pass rusher, to NFL star last year. Rookie 1st rounderJihaad Campbell, is being shown the ropes at this position, even though all indications say a move to the outside is in the plans.
Nakobe Dean(128 – 3.0 – 1 – 2) started fifteen games last year, before being lost to a knee injury. He’s currently on the PUP List and was expected to miss some early games, but he is rehabbing like a demon, to get back Week One. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (25 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) isn’t just some nepo-baby. He’s actually good. Rookie 5th rounder Smael Mondon has been flashing since OTA’s. (+)
S: Interception machine C.J. Gardner-Johnson was traded to Houston; but we’re still okay because Reed Blankenship(78 – 0.0 – 4 – 1) has a knack for clutch takeaways. Honestly, he seems to play his best, in close games.Sydney Brown (7 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) is trying to earn the other starting spot. Brown plays very aggressively and throws his body around. Which is likely why he keeps missing time with injuries.
Rookie 2nd rounder Andrew Mukuba, has been making a strong bid since OTA’s, for the starting job. Tristin McCollum(33 tackles) and Andre Sam(1 tackle), are joined by free agent Lewis Cine, in competition for that last fourth roster spot. So there’s one starter and bunch of question marks. (-)
CB: Quinyon Mitchell (46 tackles) is the Eagles lockdown corner. Cooper DeJean (51 – 0.5 – 0 – 3) is the Nickel. He has the speed for the outside, but not the change of direction ability. There’s a battle between Kelee Ringo (15 – 0.0 – 0 – 1) and former giant Adoree Jackson, for that second starting spot.
According to Spotracthe Eagles currently have 30M in cap space, in part because they didn’t elect to pay Darius Slay 10M. So we are now looking for a 2nd starter here, and things in training camp don’t sound promising. But wait! A trade was just made with Las Vegas, to bring in Jakorian Bennett, to increase the competition. Eli Ricks may be the odd man out. (-)
In A Nutshell: There’s more than enough talent to patch the holes made by defections, if the chemistry is there.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
K: Jake Elliott(FG 28/36 (77.7%), XP 47/48 (97.9%)), struggled for much of last season, especially from 50+, where he was 1/7 (14.2%). But he caught fire in the playoffs nailing 10/11 (90.9%) FG and 13/16 XP. (+)
P: Braden Mann(48.8ypp, 41.9 net) put together a very good season. The highlight being that of his 54 punts the Eagles allowed just 187 return yards. ALL. SEASON. LONG. (+)
In A Nutshell: Hey, if it ain’t broke…
BOTTOM LINE: No way is a team supposed to lose as much talent as the Eagles did, and still be a favorite to appear in a Super Bowl. The roster is deep, young, and hungry. It’s also led by a coaching staff that philosophically bends scheme to the player’s strengths, instead of trying to do it the other way around. This team is a monster.
LAST week we clinched a playoff spot. It wasn’t our best showing, but we didn’t panic, or point fingers. We just stayed at it, got the “W”, and then set-up to get this next one. This week’s opponent doesn’t have any glaring or obvious weaknesses. That means our stars like QBJalen Hurts, RB Saquon Barkley, WRA.J. Brown; as well as DT Jalen Carter, LB Zack Baun, and CB Darius “Big Play” Slay, are going to have to keep the troops focused and in the moment.
A win gets us to 12 – 2. Couple that with a Washington loss to New Orleans, and we would clinch the division. However, if Washington also wins, then we have to hold the confetti.
A loss would hold us to 11 – 3. It would also add significance to the upcoming row of division games for us.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Steelers
1) Run Behind Becton: The Steelers list themselves as a 3-4, but often present as a 4-3 with OLB T.J. Watt playing as a DE. Doesn’t matter what it is, or what it looks like. We need to beat on it. If they want to line-up a 250 pound LB directly across from our 320 pound RT Lane Johnson, we should run the ball that way.
What does that have to do with RG Mekhi Becton? If we run tosses and pitches behind Johnson, Watt gets to use speed to go around Johnson. However, if the runs go behind Becton, Watt has to put himself in Johnson’s cross-hairs to help make a tackle. Let Lane spend the day beating on a man 70 pounds smaller, to reduce his impact on the game.
2) More Big Fella: We’ve been running Jalen Carter into the ground. Against Washington, he played 100% of the 66 snaps. Since then it’s been 54 (84%), 71 (99%), and 64 (90%) vs Carolina. Most of this is vs double teams. If we want him to have anything left for the playoffs, we need to start subbing him out more.
On the flip-side, DT Jordan Davis hasn’t played 40% of snaps in any game, since our loss to Tampa. If he were 34 years old, I’d get it. But he’s a 24 year old, first round pick, in his third year. He can’t be productive on the bench, playing just 3 in every 10 snaps.
DT Jordan Davis runs over a Carr (QB Derek in N.O.)
What does any of that have to do with the Steelers specifically? They’re a physical, running team. Especially in a week where their number one WR will either be out with an injury, or not quite his actual self. Davis’s 6’6 frame and long arms, will also create vision issues for the Steelers 5’10” QB. Use this!
3) Set the Edges: We’ve been pretty bad at this lately, and have allowed 108 rushing yards to QB’s in the last two games. We have too much speed on the outside for this to be happening. The problem is that, our DE’s aren’t setting the edges. They are instead crashing down, and then being easily blocked out of the plays.
Playing the run on the way to the QB. That’s an old piece of NFL wisdom, and this is where we really miss DE Brandon Graham. Our younger Edge guys don’t do this. Instead, they strictly hunt QB’s, overrun the play, give up contain, and allow QB’s to improvise and rescue plays. This needs to stop.
4) Punish Their Single-high Coverage:Single-high means one S in deep middle coverage splitting the field into left and right halves. The other S will be playing close to, or in the box. What that means is, at least one WR will be in true one-on-one, vs this coverage. If that deep S declares that he’s leaning left or right, the read is to go deep the opposite way.
We can’t of course do this every time they come out in Single-high, but we can go to ths well more than just once or twice. And we should.
WR A.J. Brown had THREE touchdown catches in this 2022 game
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
I expect a better more focused Eagles team than we saw last week. While I don’t think the players were looking past the Panthers, I firmly believe that they didn’t really get “up” for them either. This is different. This is bragging rights, vs a playoff caliber opponent, while defending home turf.
This is also an opportunity to change the narrative from media click-bait, to serious discussions about this team’s role in this year’s playoffs. Last time we faced the Steelers, the Eagles needed to make statement to the world. Two years later and here we are again.
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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
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: PACKERSdid the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
RB Saquon Barkley scoring one of his three touchdowns on the night
1) Establish the Inside Run: The idea was to get Saquon Barkley going early, on inside runs. It didn’t happen early in the game (which is what I was aiming for), but it did happen early in his workload (by carry #7 of 24). That helped set the tone for the second half, where the Eagles did pile up points.
The Offense didn’t salt away the win, in terms of running the clock out, or scoring a back-breaking touchdown. However they tried to do both. On our last possession, 8 of those 19 plays, were hand-offs to Saquon, and we should have had that touchdown, but Jalen Hurts fumbled the snap. Heroically, Saquon was there to recover it, and we kicked a FG, putting us up by 5 points. (NOT DONE)
2) Take Away the Run: The idea was to stymie the Packers interior run game, and we did a great job of that. Our Defensive Linemen didn’t record a bunch of stats, but they did keep Zack Baun clean enough to make 13 tackles (9 solo) and 2 sacks.
Before you point out the Packers RB Josh Jacobs (16 – 84 – 5.25 – 0 – 0) rushing stats, consider that 43 of those rushing yards, are from the Packers last two drives, and 32 of those yards are from one carry. We absolutely made their QB carry this game on his own. Which was the second half of this key. (DONE)
WR A.J. Brown scores on a 67 yard catch and run as WR Jahan Dotson trails
3) Drive A Dotson:Nawp! Didn’t get within 1,000 yards of this one. Only one pass was thrown to WR Jahan Dotson (no stats) all game long. Shame too! Looking at the meager rushing numbers put up by every Eagle not named Saquon, a little loser box, might have helped out quite a bit. Thank goodness that Brown delivers. (NOT DONE)
4) Mix It Up: Reed Blankenship making the interception out of Robber Coverage, almost took my breath away. Visions of Ronnie Lott’s 8 interception season with the Raiders, started to dance in my head. That interception was downright predatory! Not the catch. The way it was set-up.
S Reed Blankenship makes the interception. With an assist from LB Zack Baun.
Blankenship dropped out of the coverage window, leaving it open for a split second. Just long enough to bait the throw. Then he broke on the receiver. If the ball had gone elsewhere, he’d have been out of position to help deep. Instead, it was a pick that led to the go-ahead score (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score is 2 of 4, though it could have been 3 of 4. Next week the Birds defend our nest, from an 0 – 1 Falcons team, that lost to 6 field goals and no touchdowns.
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Saquon catching an 18 yard dime.
Game Hero: RB Saquon Barkley – He piled up 109 rushing yards, and three touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving), in his Eagles debut. While his 26 touches feels a little high this early in the season, it was good to see him put them down with no injury, nicks, or otherwise ill effects.
Game goat: Eagles pass rush – MLB Zack Baun ran down QB Jordan Love (17/34 – 50 – 260 – 2 – 1) a couple of times, but none of our linemen got a good lick on the guy. That is, until DT Jalen Carter(2 – 0 – 0 – 0) tried to tackle Love (subsequently injuring him), as he fought to toss the ball to Josh Jacobs. We need sacks out of our linemen. Period.
On The Whole: The early miscues on both sides of the ball, justified every Eagles fan’s misgivings about the starters not playing at all in the preseason. Particularly Jalen Hurts who was not sharp, to say the least. Throwing two picks and fumbling twice, (once at the goal line), either indicates rust, or an outright lack of talent.
Though it’s too late to unspill that milk, I said it once before but it bears repeating now. Our starting guys should have played. The coach needs to hear that, for the next couple weeks at least.
ANOTHERThrilla In South Phila, last week. Down ten at the half, our Eagles battled back and won the game, with a walk-off touchdown by Mr. Clutch, QB Jalen Hurts. It was almost unfair. I practically knew it was in the bag. The world was on fire, and I sat calmly watching, while shelling and eating pecans.
When the shit hit the fan, we didn’t point fingers. We didn’t flinch. We shut our mouths, and we got to work. Eventually we climbed out of the hole we’d dug ourselves, and reached the peak called ‘Victory’.
This week’s opponent isn’t built like us. Talking is the thing they do best. Followed by whining. Followed by complaining. Eventually, if you go far enough down the list, I hear that they’re supposed to be good at playing football.
A win and we go to 11 – 1, maintaining a two game lead in the NFC East. (It’s too early to get wrapped up in other scenarios, just yet.)
A loss would stall us at 10 – 2. We’d still have a one game lead in the East, but it would be a lot easier to encroach on our turf.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. So here are theFour Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the 49ers
1) Impose Our Will By Running: By running, I mean handing the ball off. I get a feeling in my gut that they’re going to try to hurt our QB, and I don’t think we should hand them extra opportunities to do so. The Eagles like RB D’Andre Swift to top out around 14 carries, so 15 or more would be a great way to take hits off of Hurts.
We have a massive and powerful Offensive Line. We should be unleashing it early and often. The 9ers are a bit undersized up front, and their D-line is the source of their pass rush. So we should beat on them early, to tire their pass rushers out late.
2) Take Away Short, Quick Throws: Using more Man-Press on the corners, and bumping their TE at the line, would be great. Anything to get their QB to hold the ball just a second or two longer. Also, would it kill LB Nick Morrow(or anybody)to unleash a vicious hit on someone running across the middle?
3) Go Deep, Early:We need to clear space underneath for the run game. The best way to do that quickly, is to test the 49ers commitment to stopping our deep passing game. The sooner we create that space underneath, the easier the entire game will be for our Offense.
If the last few games are any indicator, WR A.J. Brown will see heavy double-team action for most of the day. If that holds true, then run Brown on Slant routes, and let WR Devonta Smith and WR Quez Watkinsbe the deep options.
4) Set the Edges:The 9ers are going to use a lot of pre-snap movement, in order to confuse us. Our guys need to stay in our lanes, trust the scheme, and their teammates. If our DE’s set the edges of the line, it makes it easier for our LB’s to read, and fill their run gaps. No need to play undisciplined football.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
Months ago I predicted this to be a loss for our Eagles. Today I’m not so sure. And I LOVE that.
After the Eagles dominated in the NFC Championship game, the 49ers ran around screaming and crying like Michael Jackson filming a Pepsi commercial. (Look it up.)
The 9ers talked shit in the national media for months, even alluding to this up-coming game between us. It was clear that they’d built this game up into their Super Bowl. Meanwhile for us, it would just be another game. With the 9ers being so much more invested in this game since March, it was easy to see them winning this game.
They more or less went silent once the season started. Until this last week or so. Once again they’re running their mouths. This time though, it’s a little different. Eagles players have shown some annoyance over that, with some clapping back essentially “Come onnnnnn, wit’ it!”
The Eagles are 10 – 1. Playing at home. On a hot streak defeating quality opponents, yet it’s us that gets labeled (in gambling) as the underdog vs an 8 – 3 team. So the Eagles may be feeling just a tad disrespected. And what better way to dismiss that feeling, than grinding an opponent like the 9ers, under our boot heel.
I expect a good old-fashioned street fight. I expect fighting. Maybe an ejection. I expect to lose a player for the season. (Whether it’s an Eagle or a 49er remains to be seen.) I expect my six pack of Pepto Bismol to still not do the job. This should be a a good one.
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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days forFour Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
SEASON Reviews are usually done at the end of the season. A few are also done at the halfway mark. Starting in 2017, Eaglemaniacal.com began treating the season like a game, and breaking it into four quarters.
In 2021, the NFL expanded the season to 17 games, which makes for an uneven split. So this year (at least), these Quarterly Reports will come after Weeks 5, 9, 13, and 17. (Ugh. I hate even looking at that format.)
Since football is a hard sport, we’ll take a hard look at where our team currently stands, in relation to where it started. Then we can discuss where it needs to go next.
STATUS: 8 – 1, 1st place in the NFC East, 1st place in the NFC, best record in the NFL.
Darius really slays ’em
OPPONENTS:
L – New York Jets
W – Miami
W – Washington*
W – Dallas*
OVERVIEW:
We’re 8 – 1, with a 2 game lead and the head-to-head tie-breaker over 5 – 3 Dallas. After we swept 4 – 5 Washington, they immediately hung up their season, and traded away their two starting DE’s. Our Defense held Miami’s 37 point per game offense, to a single scoring drive, on national television, as we donned our Kelly Green uniforms for the first time in over twenty years. Amid a four turnover game, we earned a loss vs an oddly scrappy Jets team.
What’s crazy is that the Eagles have struggled with turnovers and penalties, but keep finding ways to claw back and claim wins. This team has yet to play the sort of game befitting an 8 – 1 record. The mantra this year has been: “Just you wait ‘til we put it all together!” The thing is, we’re 9 games into a 17 game season. Real talk? This is starting to look like who we are.
GRADES:
QB:Jalen Hurts (97/137 – 70.8% – 1,085 – 9 – 2) has stepped up his game in every regard as a passer. Much of that has to do with the reported bone bruise in his left knee, limiting his effectiveness as a runner (33 – 110 – 3.3 – 3). He still runs, but he’s clearly not as dangerous right now. Still, 50% of Hurts as a runner, is still more of a problem than half the QB’s in the league right now. His per carry average is also deceptively low, as it includes both kneel downs and Brotherly Shoves. (Grade: A)
RB:D’Andre Swift (59 – 180 – 3.0 – 1 – 3) was abysmal as a rusher last quarter. Don’t hand me the “injuries to the O-line” excuse. We were down ONE guy! Added to that, his receiving (18 – 15 – 91 – 6.0 – 1) isn’t lighting the world on fire, either. He’s helping to get the ball out of his QB;s hand and move the sticks, but it’s not the sort of performance that ends in a long term deal. Neither are his three fumbles this quarter.
Kenny Gainwell remains underwhelming whether rushing (15 – 47 – 3.1 – 2 – 1), or receiving (8 – 7 – 35 – 5.0 – 0); but the coaching staff seems to love him. Head Coach Nick Sirianniraves about him. Remember when this team was all about competition? Sirianni was paying rock-paper-scissors, and shooting hoops… You wonder how much competition Swift feels with Gainwell behind him. My guess is, he seems to feel pretty safe. Boston Scottand Rashaad Pennyeach logged just 2 carries during the quarter. (Grade: F)
Goedert finds paydirt.
TE:Dallas Goedert (24 – 17 – 205 – 12.0 – 1) was the only player at this position to touch the ball last quarter. His production had been consistent with 205 yards per quarter. However, the broken arm that he suffered vs Dallas, will shelve him for at least four games. His receiving will be missed, but where his absence will most be felt, is in the run game. Both in terms of blocking, and ability to draw defenders out of the box. Jack Stoll (no stats) is a very good blocker. Not developing depth here was stupid of us. (Grade: C)
WR:A.J. Brown (41 – 32 – 464 – 14.5 – 4) has been an outright menace. Despite frequent double coverage, he’s operated as volume receiver, while still catching 78% of the passes thrown to him. Oh, and he set an all-time NFL record, with six consecutive games of 125 or more receiving yards. Not Jerry. Not Megatron. Not T.O., Fitz, or even Julio. Just A.J. Alone.
I said before, that Devonta Smith (26 – 19 – 243 – 12.7 – 2) needs to be involved more. Instead, he saw a drop-off in targets, despite a 73.0% catch rate. Speaking of usage drop, start checking milk cartons for Olamide Zaccheaus (7 – 3 – 18 – 6.0 – 0). Quez Watkinshas been out with injury since Week Five. Julio Jones (3 – 2 – 11 – 5.5 – 1) may see more time next quarter, due to injury at TE. The ball needs to be spread around more, but there are loads of production coming from here. (Grade: A)
OT:Lane Johnson is the premier RT in the sport. Due to an injury beside him, he’s had to help compensate, and yet the Eagles are still 8 – 1, while averaging 27.7 points, last quarter. On the other hand, LT Jordan Mailata hasn’t been quite as smooth recently. He drew a false start against Washington, and allowed a sack vs Dallas. Nothing to cry about, but to this point Mailata has spoiled us. So it’s easy to notice when he’s not perfect. (Grade: B)
That blue line is where their defense lined up. So much for that shit!
OG: LG Landon Dickerson has shown improvement since last report, by drawing zero flags. He’s also a huge reason why the Brotherly Shove works as well as it does, as the left side of the line is far more dominant at generating a new line of scrimmage. At RG Sua Opeta filled in while Cam Jurgens was on I.R. Opeta is a gamer, but his lack of physicality is likely what led to him being benched for rookie Tyler Steen. With Steen’s first start being against Dallas, he acquitted himself well, recovering a fumble that could have changed the flow of the game. We still weren’t able to run the football the way we like, and that is an area for concern. (Grade: B)
C: Finalist for People magazine’s 2023 World’s Sexiest Man award, Jason Kelce has been burning so hot, that it’s starting to concern me, about how much he’ll have left in January/February. Nice worry to have, right? (Grade: A)
DE:Josh Sweat(9 – 4.0 – 0 – 0) has indeed stepped up his game as a pass rusher, with 4 sacks in four games to go with 5 tackles for losses (TFL). Now if he can start to get the ball out of opposing QB’s hands, that would be faaaaantastic. Brandon Graham (4 – 2.0 – 0 – 0) made a cameo in the Dallas game, getting to the QB on two consecutive downs. It was a moment of absolute fucking cool. Very much on the order of David Bowie’s cameo in Zoolander.
How Brandon Graham showed up vs Dallas.
Derek Barnett (1 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) played 27 snaps over three games, and was inactive vs Dallas. He’s healthy and has had no penalties, but the window to trade him has passed, so I have no clue what the plan for him is. This position is one player deep, and then staffed with part-timers. That allows us to surprise teams, but not to know what we can count on from down to down. (Grade: C)
DT:Fletcher Cox (7 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) is still a very disruptive force inside, but more and more, he’s gimping to the sideline during games. (Playing him as an End would mitigate some the abuse that he takes fighting through traffic.) Jordan Davis (7 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) isn’t making as many plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage. In fact, neither man has a TFL last quarter.
Jalen Carter (4 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) missed the Jets game (back pain), and therefore is undefeated as a pro. Milton Williams (8 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) has decreased in effectiveness with each game last quarter. This position was money for the Defense in the first quarter, but has taken a nose-dive since. Get it together! (Grade: D)
Once again… HAASON, CHOP!
OLB:Haason Reddick(14 – 4.5 – 0 – 0) also has 5 TFL last quarter, as if to underscore what a nightmare he is for opposing offensive lines. Zach Cunningham (21 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) has stepped up in coverage, breaking up 3 passes over the last two games. While his numbers aren’t flashy, his play has been rock solid. Rookie Nolan Smith (5 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) so far, has never seen more than NINE snaps in a game. That’s too few. The guy can’t be productive without a chance to produce. Patrick Johnson(1 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) is a Special Teamer who was drafted as a DE/LB hybrid. He’s since been rendered pointless by the additions of Reddick and Smith. Unless he can be a stop-gap for Barnett, he’s entering his last half season here. (Grade: B)
MLB:Nakobe Dean (23 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) makes tackles, with 2 for losses. What he doesn’t do (right now) is make plays. What he also doesn’t do, is stay on the field. He’s looking at a second I.R. stint this season. He’s also a bit of a liability in pass coverage. Some of it, (by the eyeball test) seems to be related to his height and short arms. Neither of which can be coached up. He’s got good instincts for the run, but until he becomes a factor in either underneath coverage or pass rushing, he’s running a serious JAG risk. (Just A Guy)
When Dean returned from I.R, Nick Morrow(10 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) saw a steep drop in his snaps. However, with Dean going out again, Morrow returns to the starting line-up. I think Morrow is the better option anyway, as he has a better feel for underneath coverage. (I’m already interested to see what our Front Seven’s production will look like, at the end of this next quarter.) Christian Elliss (3 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) hasn’t logged a defensive snap since Week Three. All of his quarterly production has been on Special Teams. That should change shortly. (Grade: C)
S: Before I get into this, I want to tip my cap to traded STerrell Edmunds (13 – 0.0 – 0 – 0). He deserved better than going from a 6 – 1 team that he helped build, to a Tennessee team with no shot this year. That being acknowledged, let’s dig in.
Reed Blankenship (21 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) missed the game vs Miami, but still managed to break up 4 passes and recover a fumble. He’s been up and down this year, but I have to keep reminding myself that he’s in just his second year. In all honesty, he’s probably playing way more than coaches planned for, when they didn’t draft him at all last year.
This is how you Reed a QB!
Who we did draft, was Sydney Brown (15 – 0.0 – 0 – 1). Lots of energy and wants to hit, but he seems slow to process routes, and ends up late to the play. Fans end up cheering a tackle, when they could have been cheering an interception. We traded to get Philly native Kevin Byard(16 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) only to handcuff him to a system that doesn’t let him challenge routes, and reduces him to a tackler only. Which is what we had with Edmunds. Meaning that we’re getting the same thing, but with higher expectations now, which is why the disappointment feels sharper. Hopefully the Bye will help our coaches realize their error.
Justin Evans (no stats) has been on I.R. since Week Four. Injuries have been the 2023 story of this position, so far. After the Bye, there should be a full stable to work from, but so far this position hasn’t been our strength. (Grade: D)
CB:Darius Slay(19 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) was out vs the Jets, but made a huge, possibly game saving interception vs Miami. He also has broken up 3 passes this quarter. James Bradberry (17 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) has 4 pass break-ups, but the completions and the FOUR touchdowns he allowed last quarter, are reason for alarm.
For comparison, while Slay has given up two this season, Bradberry has given up seven. Much of that can be laid at the feet of Bradberry being a Man-press player, forced to play off-coverage, thus exposing his lack of top-end speed. Put simply, the defensive coaches are hanging him out to dry.
Bradley Roby (1 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) returns from I.R. soon, and will almost certainly take over the Nickel spot. Refresher: We added Roby after Josh Jobe(4 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) proved to be an easy mark for QB’s to throw on, through the first quarter of the season.
Eli Ricks (7 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) took over the Nickel job, after Roby went on I.R. and Jobe still seemed to struggle. Respectively, Ricks and Jobe have broken up 1 and 2 passes this quarter. However, until the Dallas game, where he was frequently matched up with WR Ceedee Lamb, Ricks was seeing little traffic. He’s generally done a good job of making QB’s look off of his man.
Kelee Ringo (2 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) hasn’t seen a defensive snap since Week Two. Last quarter’s tackles are from Special Teams. According to Sports Illustrated, the Eagles want to develop him into a S, which makes sense when you see his body type and see him move. If that’s the case, unbury him from this depth pile, and move him to where he’ll see actual snaps. Another unforced coaching error! (Grade: D)
LS:Rick Lovato has been solid, steady, and uneventful. (Grade: A)
P:Braden Mann (10 – 514 – 51.4) is kicking the ball over half the field, which is a 10 yard improvement over the first quarter. Only 1 of those 10 punts has been a touchback, and 2 have been inside the 20. Over that same period, we’ve given up just 50 return yards on only 4 returns (12.5 ypr). Meaning that, generally Mann shifts the field position by half the field, and then you stay where he puts you. This is all awesome sauce! (Grade: A)
K:Jake Elliott (2/3 FG 66.6% – 15/15 XP 100%) Four games, just three field goal attempts. Should we get mad at the Offense? The miss was in the Jets game. Everything went wrong that day. Just shake it off and throw the game tape away. Elliotts is balling. Shows up in the clutch like a G when we call him. (Grade: A)
PR/KR: WR Britain Covey (5 – 38 – 7.6 – 0 / none) missed the game vs Miami, but otherwise is doing little to deserve a roster spot, if he’s not going to be more aggressive about helping with field position. No other Eagles has attempted a punt return season. RB Boston Scott had a 38 yard kickoff return vs Miami, but that’s really the highlight of the return game this quarter. It’s one thing to have poor results. It’s quite another to make no effort. (Grade: F)
SINCE LAST QUARTER:
We went 3 – 1, beating BOTH the Dolphins and Cowboys. Getting the sweep of the Redsk- Commanders, was big. Coupled with the win over the Cowboys, that sweep puts us up 3 – 0 in the division, holding a tie-breaker. Right after the sweep, the Commanders hung up their season at 4 – 5, and traded away both starting DE’s.
So that’s a kill.
MISSION FOR THIS QUARTER:
This is the tough part of the schedule. By “tough” I mean all the teams we face, are playoff caliber. Then again, so are we. Everyone in this arena is a killer, but every one of these teams has more losses than we do. So let’s not forget, they have to play US too. And no one is covered in more blood than we are.
I’m on record predicting a loss to the 49ers. I said as recently asJuly, that I expect to lose a close one to them.On December 3rd, we will be playing in that team’s Super Bowl. Meanwhile to us, it’ll just be a game. They’re not just going to want that game, psychologically they already NEED it. If we win that one, it could cause that whole roster to emotionally spiral out.
I want that game!
Getting out of this stretch 2 – 2 is fine, as long as one of the wins is over Dallas. That would put us at 10 – 3 and them at 9 – 4, even if they win their next three. The Eagles going 3 – 1 over this stretch puts us at 11 – 2. So if we go 3 – 1 or better, it won’t matter what Dallas does. If we go 4 – 0 it would break the NFL.
Guess which one I want!
(I gotta simmer down. Simmer down! Don’t burn up before the games get here!) So the mission is 2 – 2, with a win over Dallas at minimum. More than two wins removes conditions.
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