The Eagles had a giant win over the Bengals, and completed the sport actually robust. Head coach Nick Sirianni spoke to reporters earlier than the workforce left Cincinnati, and talked concerning the physicality of the soccer workforce, how necessary it’s for them to win the turn-over battle, and talked concerning the performances by Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith.
Right here’s what the top coach needed to say:
On the Eagles’ win over the Bengals
“I believe now we have a bodily soccer workforce.”
Sirianni gave credit score to the Bengals for being a very good soccer workforce, however thought that the Eagles seven-minute drive within the second-half was actually well-executed, resulted in factors, and acknowledged OC Kellen Moore did a terrific job with the play calls.
“Nice job by Jalen [Hurts] for executing that. That’s not at all times the simplest factor, if you’re taking the clock down, after which unbelievable job in our run recreation — and we threw the ball once we wanted to. So, good job there.”
The pinnacle coach later stated that the workforce was excited post-game within the locker room. He defined that it’s actually arduous to win on this league — whether or not it’s a blow-out or by only a level —, they usually put every little thing they’ve into this recreation each week. Sirianni stated he’s pleased with the workforce for being mentally robust and for getting the win on Sunday.
He additionally admitted that Jalen Hurts being beneath middle and doing somewhat extra play-action was by design.
“I believe the id of this soccer workforce is bodily and that’s what we’re going to try to play by every week, is bodily. Now, if you say bodily, that doesn’t imply it’s a must to run it each time — you run it, you cross it, you might be bodily in each elements.
On the lengthy landing cross to DeVonta [Smith], Jack Stoll was bodily on that block on the perimeter. Wait till you see that one once more, the place you’re watching Jack Stoll block the perimeter and giving Jalen [Hurts] sufficient time to make an ideal throw and anyone to make a big-time catch.”
Sirianni went on to notice that he thinks id will get overblown, as a result of actually their id is to play with nice element, to play bodily with nice toughness, and to play collectively. Every thing else, goes to alter each week, each recreation.
On DeVonta Smith’s efficiency
“He made clutch catches.”
Sirianni defined that it wasn’t actually a shock that Smith had a giant recreation, particularly coming off a one catch for -2 yard efficiency final week. The pinnacle coach famous that the final time Smith was shut out of a recreation, he got here again with a giant recreation the week after. Having up and down weeks is simply how the sport goes, however that’s why they’ll’t overreact when issues occur, however Sirianni is pleased with Smith for the way he tunes every little thing out and assaults the work.
On closing out the sport
Sirianni stated that the turnovers created on protection, together with the spectacular seven-minute drive, all allowed for the Eagles to take care of and prolong their lead late within the recreation.
The pinnacle coach lauded Isaiah Rodgers for coming in for an injured Darius Slay — for the third recreation in a row — and the way he was capable of assist create a turnover towards probably the greatest receivers within the league. Rodgers made a play on the ball that allowed C.J. Gardner-Johnson an opportunity to catch the interception.
Sirianni additionally gave credit score to Zack Baun who was capable of pressure a fumble. He defined that they’ve a very good report in video games after they win the turnover battle. And whereas the official stats will present +2 within the turnover battle, they’ll take into account it +3 in-house with the large fourth-down cease that created a turnover on downs.
On Jalen Hurts’ efficiency
The pinnacle coach had loads of constructive issues to say about Jalen Hurts and the day he had in Cincinnati. Sirianni famous that it’s actually arduous to bleed the clock in sure conditions, however the QB made good selections and good throws to each get them within the recreation, and to shut it out.
Hurts hasn’t had a turnover because the bye week, and Sirianni was requested about how the QB has been so environment friendly the previous three weeks.
“Jalen [Hurts] places the work in. That’s one thing that doesn’t get talked about sufficient for Jalen Hurts — how a lot he loves soccer and the period of time he places into this recreation, and that’s what you need one among your leaders in your workforce to be.”
Sirianni went on to say that throughout the bye week, they have been ready to take a look at a number of the issues they have been inefficient on and a number of the issues they did properly, and the QB put a lot work into it, that they’re seeing the outcomes.
Different notables
Sirianni was proud of how the offensive line performed on Sunday, notably Fred Johnson and Tyler Steen, and the way they have been capable of fill some beginning spots. They game-planned particularly for Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson, and he thought Fred Johnson did a great job managing that scenario when he was one-on-one.
The pinnacle coach gave loads of credit score to gamers all through the offense for doing a great job securing the soccer and ensuring they weren’t turning it over. He famous that quite a bit is product of Hurts not throwing interceptions, however Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown each had moments the place they stored the ball secure in robust conditions.
He was requested about being superstitious and buzzing his hair, however quipped that his spouse doesn’t actually like the brand new hair-do, so he’ll must see if it’s one thing that sticks round.