Grading the Eagles' 51-23 win Sunday over the Denver Broncos at Lincoln Financial Field (see breakdown):
QUARTERBACK
Carson Wentz: 15/27, 199 YDS, 4 TD
Wentz put it to the Broncos' defense and the vaunted "No Fly Zone," and he made it look easy. This was supposed to be the No. 1 unit in the NFL, yet the Eagles moved up and down the field with ease. Wentz threw three touchdown passes in the game's first 21 minutes and then was, more or less, on autopilot the rest of the game. Also, something that won't show up in the box score, Wentz was able to draw Denver offside three times. Nick Foles was called upon to close out the fourth quarter for the second straight week.
Grade: A+
RUNNING BACKS
Jay Ajay: 8 ATT, 77 YDS, 1 TD
Corey Clement: 12 ATT, 51 YDS, 2 TD
What a debut for Ajayi. He served as a decoy on the Eagles' opening drive, which included a 32-yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery in the first quarter. Then Ajayi broke off a 46-yard run to paydirt before halftime. If this is what the Eagles can expect for a fourth-round draft pick, they're straight stealing from the Dolphins. Clement also took a screen pass 15 yards for a score, found the end zone again on a two-yard carry and another from four out (see rookie report).
Grade: A+
NFL
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jeffery: 6 REC, 84 YDS, 2 TD
This was by far Jeffery's best game as an Eagle, and it came in a tough matchup against arguably the best secondary in the league. There were one or two he couldn't hold on to in tight coverage, but overall, this was more in line with the type of impact the club imagined when he signed in March. Quiet day for the rest of the group, though Nelson Agholor tacked on a 35-yard reception in garbage time.
Grade: A-
TIGHT ENDS
Trey Burton: 2 REC, 41 YDS, 1 TD
No Zach Ertz, no problem (see Roob's observations). Burton and Brent Celek filled in more than ably for the most productive tight end in the league. Burton hauled in a 27-yard touchdown on a rainbow pass from Wentz, and with three catches for 39 yards, Celek enjoyed his most productive game in over a year.
Grade: A+
OFFENSIVE LINE
Lane Johnson: Left game in fourth quarter
Brandon Brooks was absolutely mauling people out there. The right guard had the key block on both Clement's and Ajayi's touchdowns, taking out two Broncos defenders on the latter. This was probably the cleanest Wentz's jersey has been all season, too. Denver's vaunted pass rush managed to register just one hit on Wentz, as tackles Johnson and Halapoulivaati Vaitai combined to silence the great Von Miller. Even without Jason Peters, this looks like one of the best O-lines in football as long as Johnson can stay healthy.
Grade: A+
DEFENSIVE LINE
Vinny Curry: 2 TKL, 2 TFL, 1.0 SK
The Eagles established themselves as the No. 1 run defense in the NFL. The Broncos ran 19 times for a whopping 35 yards. That's 1.8 yards per carry. That's so bad, it's a wonder they bothered trying for so long in such a lopsided game. Of course, Denver needed to do something to take the heat off of their quarterback. The front four whacked Brock Osweiler six times, including three hits from Fletcher Cox alone. Brandon Graham had a team-high five tackles.
Grade: A+
LINEBACKERS
Mychal Kendricks: 4 TKL, 2 PD, 1 QBH
Life must be good behind the Eagles' D-line. Kendricks and Nigel Bradham didn't do much, really. The duo combined to make eight tackles and Bradham registered a sack. They didn't have the numbers, but they got the job done.
Grade: A-
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Patrick Robinson, Rodney McLeod: 1 INT each
In all, the Eagles' secondary got hands on seven Osweiler passes, including the two interceptions. It was nearly three turnovers, but Rasul Douglas couldn't hang on to a potential pick-six on Denver's opening possession. Demaryius Thomas was kept in check — eight receptions for 70 yards and a late, meaningless score — and the rest of the Broncos' receivers never really threatened. Just think about this group once Ronald Darby gets back in the mix.
Grade: A
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Elliott: 1/1 FG, 6/7 XP
The Eagles had a rare special teams miscue that resulted in a 44-yard punt return. Mack Hollins whiffed on the tackle, but Corey Graham was there to clean up the mistake and save a touchdown. Little else of note from this phase.
Grade: B
COACHING
Eagles' record: 8-1
Doug Pederson's game plan was on point in the first half. He rolled Wentz out of the pocket. He used Ajayi as a decoy. He attacked Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib's aggressive nature. His screens and misdirection plays all seemed to be perfectly timed. The play-calling was great. Jim Schwartz's plan was money, too. His defense got after the quarterback early and often and never let the new starter get into a rhythm. Pederson and Schwartz look brilliant right now — probably because they have been more weeks than not.
Grade: A+