Catching Up

I haven’t written a lot in the last week due to traveling and some other stuff that popped up. Since I’m a bit behind, no normal Game Review. Instead I’ll post some short thoughts on the win over the Vikings and then get into other Eagles news.

PHI 34, MIN 28 – Game Notes

What a weird game. On one hand, the Eagles felt lucky to win. On the other hand, they were up 27-7 at one point and felt totally in control. This felt a bit like the Detroit game from last year. The Eagles just couldn’t put the Vikings away. Injuries to the back seven didn’t help in a game where the opponent wanted to throw the ball. I do love the fact the Eagles coaches leaned on the run the way they did. If the defense dares you to run, do it. Don’t try to outsmart yourself by forcing the passing game. The Eagles played this game on a short week and it felt like that showed.

This felt a bit like a Nick Sirianni special. He loves explosive plays and takeaways. The Eagles had TDs of 63 and 43 yards and another pass play that covered 54 yards. They had 4 takeaways and only turned the ball over once.

The biggest issue from a coaching perspective was Sirianni not going for 2 late in the game. That could have proved to be critical. The Vikings never got the TD they needed to make that anything more than a point of discussion.

OFFENSE

For the second week in a row, the defense tried to make Jalen Hurts a pocket passer. He was 12-35 on the ground with a long run of 8 yards. The Vikings did a good job of limiting him as a runner. They played a really creative defense. Felt like they were in a 3-3-5 for a lot of the game. They mixed things up between blitzing and dropping as many as 8 into coverage. That kind of variance kept Hurts from getting comfortable and into a good rhythm.

Hurts went 18 for 23 as a passer and had some good moments. He stood tough in the pocket on the deep TD to DeVonta and paid for that with a big hit. Hurts had a late TD to AJ wiped out by a questionable holding call. His presence on the field opened up running room for the RBs.

Playing the light box gave the running game a chance to shine. Eagles RBs were 36-224 on the ground. D’Andre Swift was outstanding. His combination of vision, cutback ability and burst was perfect for this game. Boston Scott was 5-40 and looked good. His burst was perfect on the final drive of the half, as the Eagles were able march down for a FG.

The OL was outstanding in the run game. Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata bullied Vikings defenders. They were a lot of fun to watch. Cam Jurgens was up and down. He’s still getting used to the speed of the NFL game. Pass pro was more of a mixed bag. The Vikings used a mush rush at times, where the rushers try to box the QB in rather than going all out to get to him. Hurts bailed from that at times, which gave them a chance to get to him.

…this OL will eat the lunch of mugged up backers. They destroy 300lb DL – these LBs are gnats. Landon Dickerson is 320lbs. Mailata is a ox.

You don't want this. pic.twitter.com/FyBIOZ70Fd

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) September 15, 2023

DeVonta Smith was terrific, going 4-131-1. He also blocked well. AJ Brown did not have his best game, as a receiver or blocker. He let his slow start to the season affect his effort and that’s not good. I’m sure Sirianni will have a word with him.

Dallas Goedert was 6-22 as a receiver. He made his presence felt as a blocker.

Just sitting here watching Dallas Goedert getting after people in the run game. @goedert33's role in the success of this rushing attack the last 3 years is severely underrated #FlyEaglesFly #GoBirds pic.twitter.com/s2mEYriYH3

— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) September 18, 2023

That ability helps make Goedert such a weapon. He can burn you as a receiver or get the best of you as a blocker.

DEFENSE

Remember last year when the Eagles had the best pass defense in the league, but were vulnerable to the run? Times have changed. They now have the best run D and a leaky pass defense. Minnesota ran 9 times for 28 yards before just giving up. Jordan Davis and the DL did a fantastic job of clogging up the middle.

The real star up front was Josh Sweat. He played DE and DT and was disruptive wherever he lined up. He had a sack, a FF and 5 QB hits. Sweat has special potential because of his combination of athleticism, strength and length.

https://twitter.com/PhillyTruthr/status/1702713510650626292

That is a wow play.

Davis added a sack and a couple of QB hits. Fletcher Cox had a couple of QB hits and recovered the fumble after Sweat’s strip-sack. Jalen Carter had a couple of tackles and a TFL, but was quieter in this game than I expected.

I thought Zach Cunningham played well. He led the team with 8 total tackles and had a TFL. He’ll never be considered a cover LB, but I thought he had some good moments in coverage. He’s solid when keeping things in front of him and then making the tackle. He struggles when he’s asked to cover a TE man-to-man.

Nick Morrow started over Christian Elliss and I thought he was solid. He had 3 tackles and got a good shot on Cousins.

Justin Evans is physical, but has serious coverage limitations. Terrell Edmunds had 6 tackles and a FF.

Darius Slay was credited with 1 PD. He got his hands on several passes and just missed a couple of INTs. The Eagles tried to match him up vs Justin Jefferson, but the Vikings did an excellent job of moving JJ around so that he got favorable matchups.

Josh Jobe did some good things in his first start. He did give up a long TD to Addison, but was physical and aggressive most of the time. Mario Goodrich took over in the slot after Avonte’s injury. Goodrich struggled initially. MIN went after him and had good success.

Sean Desai did some creative things. Sweat was at DT in some passing situations. Cunningham lined up like an edge rusher in one look. The ILBs blitzed multiple times. Desai didn’t have a healthy back seven, but tried to be creative with his defense. There is no question that the pass defense must improve.

STs

Jake Elliott nailed a 61-yard FG at the end of the first half. He’s been great so far this year.

The Eagles only had 2 return yards for the game. Britain Covey did fumble, but luckily the Eagles recovered it.

Evans did force a fumble and the Eagles were able to recover that. The FF came at the end of a 20-yard PR.

Siposs did not have a good game. There is a reason they let him go.

*****

There have been a few roster changes this week.

We've signed WR Britain Covey to the active roster, signed RB Bryant Koback to the Practice Squad, and placed CB Avonte Maddox on Injured Reserve. pic.twitter.com/BmbRLl9WxO

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 20, 2023

We've signed CB Tiawan Mullen to the Practice Squad. pic.twitter.com/3HI1Akh7Vd

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 19, 2023

We've signed LB Kyron Johnson to the Practice Squad. pic.twitter.com/9gbIqbXTHM

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 20, 2023

Quez Watkins got hurt last week. He didn’t practice today. The Eagles needed another WR on the roster so Covey made sense because of his ability as a PR. The Eagles could elevate another WR for Monday’s game.

Koback replaces Trey Sermon who is now with the Colts. Koback is a good downhill runner. I love those guys so I’m fine with his addition.

Mullen is a slot corner who could help as the team figures out what they want to do. Seems like Goodrich will be in the slot for now.

Kyron Johnson is mainly a STer at this point.

It would really help to start getting some of the injured guys back in the lineup.

*****

An MRI already confirmed Trevon Diggs' injury, per source. He's done for the season. https://t.co/PQ7mS4a9hV

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 21, 2023

Dallas has a lot of talent. They don’t always have great depth. We’ll see how this affects them.

Diggs is part of the enemy, but you never wish ACL injuries on anyone. Hope he comes back healthy next year.

*****

I’m sure most people penciled in the Bucs as a W for the Eagles a couple of months ago. Don’t be so sure of that anymore. Tampa is 2-0. The defense has been good, but QB Baker Mayfield is the real story. He’s playing the best football of his career.

Baker Mayfield has been cooking for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar are here to break down why with the All-22. https://t.co/kGwej9Av4r

— Touchdown Wire (@TheNFLWire) September 21, 2023

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