Eagles vs. Packers: 12 winners, 4 losers, 4 IDKs

The Philadelphia Eagles are 1-0 after beating the Inexperienced Bay Packers in Brazil! The one NFL workforce to ever win in South America. Time at hand out some winners, losers, and IDKs.

WINNERS

SAQUON BARKLEY

Between non-contact coaching camp practices not being the perfect setting to completely consider working backs and Barkley being stored on ice (together with many of the offensive starters) within the preseason, this was our first actual take a look at Saquon since he signed with the workforce again in March.

And boy did he look actually good!

Barkley’s 24 carries went for 109 yards (4.5 common) and two touchdowns. He caught each of his two targets for 23 receiving yards and the Eagles’ first landing of the season.

Saquon checked all of the packing containers; he left nothing to be desired. There have been instances when ran downhill and powered by contact with bruising physicality. There have been instances when he used his quickness to make cuts and discover holes to run by. He confirmed his large play means with the 34-yard run that he broke off. He confirmed means to contribute within the passing recreation along with his leaping catch alongside the left sideline for a landing. He confirmed greatness consciousness to leap on the botched Brotherly Shove snap on the Eagles’ last drive. He confirmed the sturdiness to deal with a serious workload with 26 complete touches.

I’d prefer to stress that final level because it simply hasn’t been widespread for the Eagles to rely so closely upon their high working again lately:

Barkley is clearly higher than the likes of Miles Sanders and D’Andre Swift. Nonetheless, I wasn’t able to full belief that they’d use him so closely as a result of that’s simply not how the Eagles have ever actually dealt with the working again place within the trendy period. Eagles franchise main rusher LeSean McCoy averaged slightly below 23 touches per recreation (19.6 carries plus 3.3 receptions) in his highest utilization season again in 2013. He completed that yr with 366.

Clearly, it’s only one recreation, so on-pace stats are fairly foolish at this level … however at this fee Barkley is on observe for 442 touches this season. He very probably received’t find yourself being near that quantity since solely seven gamers in NFL historical past have ever gone over that quantity.

Nonetheless, the purpose right here is that the Eagles clearly aren’t shy about leaning on Barkley. The concept they’re replicating the San Francisco 49ers’ blueprint with Christian McCaffrey isn’t far-fetched.

KELLEN MOORE

Pre-snap movement! Scheming gamers open! Solutions in opposition to the blitz!

Dare I say the Eagles at the moment are working a contemporary NFL offense?!

Actually encouraging debut from the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator.

Regardless of three giveaways and solely going 4/14 on third down, the offense nonetheless managed to place up 34 factors and 410 yards. And so they had been a botched snap on the final Brotherly Shove try away from gaining yet another yard to have 38 factors. That complete would’ve tied the Eagles’ season-high in factors scored from final yr.

It’s fairly doable the Packers’ protection isn’t superb beneath their new and unproven coordinator. Nonetheless, kudos to Moore for taking benefit and provoking confidence as a play-caller.

NICK SIRIANNI

Now that his offensive position has diminished, it’s particularly essential that Sirianni will get the sport administration facet proper. He was method too conservative final yr and he should do a greater job of giving the Eagles an edge transferring ahead.

Up to now, so good on that entrance. Props to the top coach for not simply being content material with working the ball, taking part in to accept a area objective, and giving the ball again to the Packers with over a minute left. The Eagles had been as an alternative aggressive by throwing the ball to select up first downs late within the recreation, which pressured the Packers to burn their timeouts. That strategy clearly comes with the danger of the Eagles stopping the clock with an incompletion. However specializing in what may go flawed in that scenario as an alternative of trusting his offense to successfully finish the sport on their phrases can be loser shit.

(I’ve seen some push-back on Sirianni getting credit score for the top of recreation sequence since Moore calls the performs. I discover it fairly laborious to consider the top coach isn’t dictating the strategy/technique in that scenario and he’s merely watching Moore do no matter he desires.)

DEVONTA SMITH

The field rating reveals DeVonta catching seven of his eight targets for 84 yards. The numbers don’t almost inform the entire story there, although.

Lining up within the slot extra typically than ever, Smith did job of getting open and producing yards after the catch. Smith truly ranks eleventh out of 61 broad receivers (minimal 4 targets) in YAC per reception from Week 1.

On the Eagles’ last drive, Smith had two large catches to maneuver the chains. The primary picked up 16 yards on 2nd-and-13 whereas the second gained 11 yards on 2nd-and-8 to maneuver to the 6-yard line and permit the clock to run right down to the two-minute warning with Inexperienced Bay having only one timeout left.

Clutch.

Oh, and DeVonta even had deal with on Hurts’ second interception the place he put in (albeit unsuccessful) effort to attempt to strip Jaire Alexander from behind.

A.J. BROWN

Ho-hum: 5 receptions for 119 yards and one landing. Simple elite participant. Alexander making an attempt to begin BS with him clearly wasn’t good; no want to offer A.J. further motivation.

ZACK BAUN

Baun led the Eagles in complete tackles with 15, together with 11 solo, two sacks (the Eagles’ solely two sacks, one in all which was the game-clinching take-down on Malik Willis), and one TFL. No different Eagles defender had greater than eight complete tackles and 4 solo tackles.

Merely put, Baun was flying round on the market. He seemed greater than succesful in protection, he was clearly in a position to present pass-rushing juice, and he was robust in opposition to the run. There was a sequence the place Baun made back-to-back tackles for no achieve to arrange a Third-and-10 that the Packers couldn’t convert, which led to their missed 43-yard area objective.

It’s fairly wild to assume again to how Zack “Thomas” Baun obtained thus far. When the Eagles signed him on the primary day of free company, there was no real looking expectation that he’d play a serious position this season. Throughout his introductory press convention in Philly, Baun talked about how he was trying ahead to taking part in much less off-ball linebacker and focusing extra on speeding the passer. However then Baun was surprisingly the primary title introduced up by Vic Fangio when the Eagles defensive coordinator was first requested in regards to the workforce’s inside linebacker output. Baun then spent most offseason practices repping at first-team linebacker subsequent to Devin White. If Nakobe Dean was set to overhaul both projected starter, it appeared like it will be Baun. However that clearly wasn’t the case! Baun emerged the workforce’s high linebacker, taking part in 100% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in Week 1.

It’ll be fascinating to see if Baun can stick with it. It looks as if Vic Fangio has discovered his new Andrew Van Ginkel (which is humorous as a result of precise AVG was accessible to be signed this offseason), a flexible defender that he’ll look to get artistic with.

NAKOBE DEAN

As soon as once more, Dean seemed good taking part in downhill. He smacked the crap out of Emanuel Wilson right here:

There are nonetheless questions on him dropping into protection. And Dean did miss a very large alternative by not catching what probably would’ve been a pick-six. With the Packers scoring a landing two performs later, that’s a vital 14-point swing.

Nonetheless, extra cause to be inspired than not.

REED BLANKENSHIP

Blankenship is a playmaker. His diving interception on a Jordan Love move up the seam got here at a vital time to permit the Eagles offense to take a 31 to 25 lead that was by no means surrendered.

Blankenship entered this season along with his justifiable share of doubters (as represented within the feedback right here) after some uneven performances final yr. As somebody who’s been flawed about loads of different issues however is greater than consensus on Blankenship, I’m going to take a second to get pleasure from his success.

One can be mistaken to assume he’s routinely going to the bench as soon as Sydney Brown is wholesome sufficient to play.

QUINYON MITCHELL

Q certain appears like he belongs, doesn’t he?

The rookie cornerback confirmed swagger early on when he trash talked Christian Watson after having good downfield protection to assist drive an incompletion. Mitchell completed the sport with two passes defensed, persevering with his behavior of getting his palms on the ball. He allowed a passer score of simply 88.2 when focused, per Professional Soccer Focus.

Mitchell goes to get examined lots as a consequence of his youth and groups probably not wanting to check Darius Slay as a lot. He definitely appears up for the problem.

VIC FANGIO

At first look, not perfect to surrender 29 factors and 414 yards of offense.

However Fangio’s protection stored the workforce within the recreation early on after two straight turnovers. The Packers had been held to simply six factors regardless of beginning their second drive 19 yards away from the top zone and their third drive 13 yards away from the top zone.

The protection additionally restricted the Packers to a area objective after Hurts’ second interception for simply 9 complete factors allowed instantly off of three turnovers. That’s large.

There are clearly some points to handle. Permitting 163 speeding yards and one landing on 21 makes an attempt (7.8 common) is troubling. The move rush must get going (extra on that later).

However the Eagles employed Fangio for — on the very least — some baseline stage competency that they didn’t have final yr, particularly late within the season. There’s cause to consider Fangio can present that a lot, if no more.

MEKHI BECTON

It’s not too stunning that Becton, an enormous man, seemed good as a run blocker. The larger query was: can he maintain up in move safety? My good good friend Jimmy Kempski put collectively a terrific movie thread on Becton, right here’s a sampling:

Only one recreation … however Becton generally is a long-term fixture for the Eagles at proper guard if he can construct on this efficiency. One can surprise if Howie Roseman is already making an attempt to get an extension accomplished.

BRADEN MANN

Along with dealing with kickoff responsibility, Mann quietly had two actually good punts. The primary one went 54 yards to assist flip the sphere. The second went 47 yards to be honest caught on the 13-yard line.

Mann had the third-best punter EPA from Week 1:

LOSERS

JOHN MARA

I believe the New York Giants co-owner isn’t getting a lot sleep lately.

It’s not just like the Giants wouldn’t nonetheless stink in the event that they merely re-signed Barkley. However, man, it’s gotta sting to see him off to a powerful begin in Philly. You hate to see it.

AVONTE MADDOX

With Isaiah Rodgers dominated out, Maddox was the Eagles’ nickel cornerback with Mitchell remaining on the skin. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see in the event that they proceed with that configuration or in the event that they’ll have Rodgers play on the skin with Mitchell shifting inside to the slot, as initially anticipated. Cooper DeJean may finally emerge as the highest nickel possibility however most likely not as quickly as Week 2.

Maddox ended up taking part in 90% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in Week 1. That’s partially as a consequence of how the Packers deploy their receivers. Nonetheless, that’s simply an excessive amount of for Maddox, who was clearly picked on as a weak level at instances. It looks as if Maddox, who’s handled a whole lot of accidents, simply isn’t the identical participant he was. He’s extra ideally suited to be a backup/position participant than a daily fixture.

Maddox allowed a 116.7 passer score when Jordan Love threw his method.

THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

From an August 13 article by way of Sportico:

The common NFL workforce is value $5.93 billion—and the collective fair-market worth of the league’s 32 franchises is $190 billion.

Hm, looks as if some huge cash to me. Possibly use a few of it to, I don’t know, be sure the taking part in surfaces aren’t complete slip and slides?!

BRANDON LEE GOWTON

I’ve been skeptical of Saquon’s impression. I additionally picked the Eagles to lose to the Packers in Week 1.

Idiot!

I DON’T KNOWS

JALEN HURTS

The field rating numbers: 20/34 (58.8% completion), 278 yards (8.2 common), 2 TD, 2 INT, 80.3 passer score … 13 runs, 33 yards (2.5 common).

Bizarre recreation for Hurts. I felt so inspired about his outlook after watching him hold the ball out of hurt’s method and look quicker than ever in coaching camp. Someway, neither of these issues translated to recreation motion.

Hurts’ first interception was clearly dangerous but it surely’s one I really feel like is simpler to stay with within the context that it’s early on and he’s making an attempt to make a play down the sphere. Against this, the second was fairly unforgivable. Actually, that entire sequence was troubling with the Eagles up 5 factors earlyish within the fourth quarter:

1st-and-10 on the Packers’ 11-yard line: Hurts seemingly makes the flawed learn and takes a 3-yard loss.
2nd-and-13 on the Packers’ 14-yard line: Hurts forces a move to Jahan Dotson and it’s a dropped decide.
Third-and-13 on the Packers’ 14-yard line: Hurts holds onto the ball, rolls proper, and throws in opposition to his physique again into visitors to get picked off by Jaire Alexander.

How is Hurts forcing that throw in that scenario?! You’re lucky sufficient to get away with a dropped decide and also you immediately put the ball in hurt’s method once more? When you possibly can as an alternative accept a chip-shot area objective that places you up eight factors? Only a horrible determination made worse by a complete lack of situational consciousness.

Hurts additionally obtained away with one other dropped interception that A.J. Brown needed to break up. He may’ve been credited with a second misplaced fumble (in equity, the primary seemed to be Cam Jurgens’ fault for snapping it too early) and fourth total giveaway with a much less favorable bounce in direction of the top.

In fact, it wasn’t all dangerous. Hurts made some actually good and essential throws. The landing move to Saquon alongside the left sideline was good. Hurts put the ball proper on A.J.’s to permit him to run to the top zone on his 67-yard landing. Hurts’ first down completions to DeVonta on the ultimate drive had been large, as was his run by contact to select up a primary down.

Hurts had success in opposition to the blitz, which was crucial to see.

Then once more, he wasn’t actually examined like he was late final season:

One other level in Hurts’ favor is that it’s not like quarterbacks had been lighting it up left and proper in Week 1. SB Nation’s Joseph Acosta wrote an article that particulars how passing is method down to begin this season.

Maybe Hurts will settle in. I are likely to assume he’ll. He can put these Week 1 struggles behind him with a a lot stronger displaying in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.

THE BROTHERLY SHOVE

So … the Eagles won’t be capable to depend on this as a lot as final yr?

Too early to say for certain however solely a 2/4 success fee up to now. Think about that they went 37/40 final season.

Scrapping it fully appears excessive however they need to most likely be leaning on Saquon in brief yardage and never simply the Brotherly Shove.

THE EAGLES’ EDGE RUSH

I don’t assume it’s honest to say something definitive in regards to the Eagles’ move rush (or lack thereof) after only one recreation that occurred on a slippery area the place the sting defenders had been often sliding throughout their rushes (Tremendous Bowl loss flashbacks).

It’s not just like the Packers’ move rush was lighting it up on the market; their two sacks and 5 quarterback hits had been an identical to what the Eagles’ protection generated.

That stated, the Eagles’ edge rushers particularly had zero sacks, one TFL, and one quarterback hit. That’s not very inspiring.

Neither is seeing Bryce Huff — the man the Eagles signed to a three-year, $51.1 million contract — generate zero pressures whereas taking part in fewer snaps than Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Nolan Smith.

It’s fully doable that the sting rush will change into an issue. That unit ought to and can completely be monitored intently transferring ahead. However not able to say they’ve obtained no juice simply but.

JAHAN DOTSON

Dotson did play essentially the most snaps because the Eagles’ WR3 however he solely noticed one goal. It’s clearly early and he’s solely had 5 practices to take reps in. It’s fairly doable his position will increase because the season goes on. Heck, it higher. However it may take a while. Not just for him to be taught the offense (maybe a constructive spin to the early Week 5 bye?) but additionally to earn Hurts’ belief, which is essential.