It almost defies explanation that the Eagles lead the NFL with an 8-1 record with the numbers they’ve posted halfway through the 19-week season.
The Eagles average 28.0 points per game, second in the league, but allow 21.7 points, 20th overall. The Eagles lead the league in rushing defense (66.3 ypg.) but are last in passing defense (257.0 ypg.).
The Eagles have slipped to seventh in rushing offense (129.7), the category where they typically rank among the top three. They are winning with the passing game (247.1 ypg.) and quarterback Jalen Hurts, who, despite being slowed by a sore knee, has thrown eight scoring passes and rushed for two TDs in his last three games.
The Eagles also are minus-2 in turnover ratio largely because Hurts ranks among the league leaders with 11 turnovers. The Birds have won four of five games decided by seven or fewer points. With eight games remaining, the Eagles enter the bye well aware they’ve been cutting it too close for comfort.
Let’s go to the grades …
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OFFENSIVE LINE >> A
The Eagles wouldn’t have a winning record without this group, which for the most part has protected the quarterback very well.
Center Jason Kelce is having his best season, his streak of 146 consecutive starts solidifying him as a future Hall of Fame inductee. The unit has barely missed a step plugging and playing Sua Opeta, and now rookie Tyler Steen at right guard. Lane Johnson has remained healthy as well.
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QUARTERBACK >> A-minus
After a turnover-marred start Jalen Hurts has shifted gears. For just the second time this season, he played turnover-free, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another to help beat the Cowboys Sunday. He still ranks among league leaders with 11 giveaways. But that hasn’t impacted the bottom line: The Eagles are 25-2 in Hurts’ last 27 regular season starts.
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RUNNING BACK >> B
Hard to believe D’Andre Swift still ranks third among all rushers after his electric start, but he does. Shovel passes are his new forte, and with a running start he’s explosive.
Kenneth Gainwell bounced back from a fumble/cell phone gaffe with a big TD against the Cowboys, and Rashad Penny got his first carry this past weekend with Boston Scott taking care of personal business.
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RECEIVER >> A
A.J. Brown drew a lot of attention Sunday, the Cowboys snapping his streak of six straight games with 125 or more receiving yards. But Brown went over 1,000 yards for the second straight season and doing it in just nine games is a club record. With Brown the guy the opposition plans for, DeVonta Smith has accepted his WR2 role and marked his 200th career reception with a 39-yard scoring pass against the Cowboys.
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TIGHT ENDS >> A-minus
Dallas Goedert was having a stellar season not just catching the ball but blocking when a fractured forearm knocked him out of the Cowboys game. That’s going to leave marks on both the run and pass games.
Grant Calcaterra, who has excellent hands, has the skills set to help but is coming back from a concussion. Wide receiver Julio Jones likely will be the big body replacement for Goedert in the red zone.
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DEFENSIVE LINE >> B
After a slow start Haason Reddick shed the cast on his hand and collected sacks in five of his last six games. He leads the Birds with 7.5 quarterback drops, which is tied for 10th in the league.
Don’t be surprised if the Eagles announce a contract extension for Reddick, who has emerged as a game wrecker.
Josh Sweat (6.5 sacks) sets the edge as well as an edge rusher can, and Brandon Graham (1.5 sacks) is doing what he can on an early season pitch count. Rookie Nolan Smith has had trouble getting snaps.
Fletcher Cox, who turns 33 next month, has turned back the clock with a stellar first half to the season. He’s also helped elevate the games of defensive tackles Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams.
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LINEBACKERS >> D
The Eagles are overmatched here compared to last year when T.J. Edwards dominated at this position. Nakobe Dean is learning to shed professional blocks. Nicholas Morrow has disappeared. Zach Cunningham is useful in the run game, period. This group needs help.
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CORNEBACKS >> C-minus
The opposition has run 30-plus-year-old veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry ragged. Without slot corner Avonte Maddox, the Eagles have tried seven other players there without much success.
Slay has two interceptions but the lack of playmaking and just flat-out coverage in the back end is a clear weakness.
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SAFETIES >> D-plus
Reed Blankenship has a couple of interceptions but that’s it as far as takeaways by this group. Newcomer Kevin Byard still is figuring it out. All others, including rookie Sydney Brown, are rotating among all positions.
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SPECIAL TEAMS (KICKERS) >> A
Jake Elliott has been almost flawless as he’s made 18 of 20 field goals, including 5 of 6 from 50 or more yards. Punter/holder Braden Mann was outstanding against the Cowboys with five boots averaging 51.8 yards, including a 47.2 net average.
SPECIAL TEAMS (RETURNERS) >> B
Britain Covey ranks third in the league with a 14.0 average per punt return.
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COACHING >> B-plus
Nick Sirianni owns a 31-12 career record, the highest regular season winning percentage (.721) by an Eagles head coach. They are 22-4 since the start of last season. Sirianni doesn’t get enough credit for continuing to win with new offensive and defensive coordinators in Brian Johnson and Sean Desai.
At the same time the Eagles have been outscored 70-60 in the fourth quarter, and that will be an issue if it continues because the Eagles oppose the Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers and Cowboys in their first four games after the bye.
Contact Bob Grotz at rgrotz@delcotimes.com
Source: Berkshire mont