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This game was TOUGH to watch. It seemed at times the Eagles were trying to win this game IN SPITE of the coaching staff and star QB. Certain players coming back healthy makes a difference against a team that is losing players quickly. NO. We did not lose to a 3rd string QB but we almost did. This was a true NFC EAST matchup in 2020. And at 3-4-1, the Philadelphia Eagles are leading the division going into the bye week.
Coaches: D-
Doug Pederson did absolutely nothing to contribute to this win tonight. This coaching staff is CONSTANTLY overthinking themselves. Calling trick plays on 3rd and 6 when you don't have to. Sending Hurts into the game after a HUGE pickup by Fulgham in the 1st Quarter which then resulted in a delay of game. NOT ROLLING CARSON OUT OF THE POCKET. Abandoning the run game against a team that is ranked DEAD LAST IN THE NFL ! Not blitzing the pants off of a rookie 3rd string QB. The non stop sticks defense. Why go for 2 after the fumble recovery TD? You are already up 21-9? Just kick the XP man!
This team is constantly underwhelming. It is the coaching staff to start. They are preparing this team each week to be ready to compete AT or JUST BELOW the level of their opponent. That is not ok. That is not long term investment. That is not good coaching.
Quarterbacks: D
Carson looked BAD tonight. 4 turnovers all by himself. Holding onto the ball WAY too long and trying to be a hero every single play. The 2nd interception wasn't necessarily his fault as Hightower has to track the ball better but Wentz is reckless with the football. HE IS NOT A POCKET PASSER. Doug is really putting him no position to succeed.
The second fumble was unforgivable. Wentz scrambled out of the pocket but the WRONG WAY. Then held it and held it and held it when there was not a single player on his side of the field and got sacked.
He did have some success though with his new favorite targets. Fulgham and Reagor are going to be studs in this league and Wentz will capitalize from their connection.
Running Backs: B-
Boston Scott is the killer of the NFC East. He set a new career high in yards in the first half. Finished with 15 carries and 70 yards. Clement added his 24 yards. Nothing too flashy there. This group was good. Did what they needed to do.
Wide Receivers: B+
This group of young WRs is going to be special (as long as we don't let the old/injured come back and take reps). Fulgham continues to be VERY impressive with his route running and catching ability. Reagor coming back gave a JOLT to this offense. Ward added his 3 catches as well but a very bad drop on a 3rd down. This group is young and growing together.
On the negative: Hightower really needs to learn to track a ball if he is going to be the only WR that Carson is allowed to throw deep to. And I'm pretty sure (will find out when they release the snaps per player) that JJAW did not hit the field even once.
Tight Ends: NG
For all of you "non-teachers" out there, NG stands for NO GRADE. This group didn't do much. Dallas Goedert caught one ball. Was targeted one other time. Rodgers no targets. This group didn't matter tonight.
OLINE: C+
This group had a rough night. Carson spent a lot of the evening on his backside because the OLine couldn't block. Mailata was not good on the right side. Peters limped a bit but he played the whole game. Kelce continues to be the monster All-Pro and future HOFer he is.
DLINE: A+++++
This group was vicious. Graham with strip sack. Hargrave with a HUGE hit in the redzone. Vinny Curry with a sack (and technically a fumble recovery). Fletcher Cox was DOMINANT. This group flatout won the game for the team this evening.
LBs: B
This group without Nathan Gerry is better. SHOCKING. Singleton and Edwards had good games. That strip sack to seal the game was a literal game changer. Singleton did drop a potential INT but only so much can be done. This was a Cowboys team that relied on the run game tonight and the LBs had to step up. They did.
Secondary: B
Sticks defense (not the fault of the players). Allowed some big catches and then missed tackles. BUT McLeod's TD was magical. Never gave up. NRC looked lost on many plays. Slay left the game with an injury. This group needs to get healthy together to get better together.
Special Teams: NG
NO field goal attempts. NO XP attempts. Very few punt attempts. Very few returns. The only thing that really stood out with this group was the one punt that had a lot of time to be covered and pinned at the goalline. They failed on that. But not enough of a contribution for an official grade.
IN CONCLUSION:
This game was by no means pretty. Doug and Carson did everything in their power to lose the game for the team. However other players stepped up. Going into the bye week this team needs to get healthy. I don't see this team being very active at the trade deadline. I think this is the team we are going to get for the rest of 2020.