The Eagles bounced back with a decisive 34-13 victory Thursday over the Giants in North Jersey, improving to 3-3 in the process (see Roob's observations). Still, several groups saw room for improvement on this week’s report card.
Quarterback
Carson Wentz: 26/36, 278 YDS, 3 TD, 122.2 RT
The first touchdown was sensational — extended the play, rolling right, cross-body throw in a tight window. Wentz was nearly perfect on third downs and in the red zone. Got a little sloppy with the football under duress, at one point throwing an intercept-able pass right into the arms of a D-linemen, but made few mistakes otherwise.
Grade: A
Running backs
Corey Clement: 11 ATT, 43 YDS, 1 TD, 3 REC, 26 YDS
NFL
Wendell Smallwood served as the primary back, though he was not as effective as Clement, plus he almost turned the ball over. Fumble aside, Smallwood ran hard but found little space, totaling 51 yards from scrimmage with 2.8 yards per carry.
Grade: B-
Wide receivers/tight ends
Alshon Jeffery: 8 REC, 74 YDS, 2 TD
Despite big numbers from Jeffery and Zach Ertz (seven receptions, 43 yards, one touchdown), Nelson Agholor came up with the Eagles’ two longest plays of the game. Agholor snatched a tipped pass away from a Giants defender for a 32-yard gain, and later broke off his route and produced a 58-yard catch-and-run. Even Jordan Matthews pitched in a pair of third-down conversions.
Grade: A+
Offensive line
Gritty effort. Neither Jason Peters nor Lane Johnson finished and weren’t 100 percent going in, but got the job done long enough to help the Eagles amass a nice lead. Pass protection was an issue early, but the unit settled down, largely keeping the quarterback clean even as starters were exiting.
Grade: A-
Defensive line
Michael Bennett: 6 TKL, 1 TFL, 1.0 SK, 3 QH, 1 FF
Six tackles for Fletcher Cox. One sack and one tackle for loss each for Cox, Bennett and Destiny Vaeao. Three quarterback hits each for Cox, Bennett and Derek Barnett, 12 total by the D-line. Just relentless.
Grade: A
Linebackers
Jordan Hicks: 10 TKL, 1 PD
Kamu Grugier-Hill was credited with the interception, but it was Hicks’ deflection that made it possible. Either way, huge play by the linebacker corps to set the Eagles up in Giants territory. Nigel Bradham (five tackles, one tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, one pass defensed) had a line, too, but was left flatfooted on a 50-yard touchdown run.
Grade: A-
Defensive backs
Ronald Darby: 2 TKL, 4 PD
Aside from one obligatory deep ball over Jalen Mills’ head, the secondary was solid. Darby was lockdown-corner good. The Giants were held to 6.5 yards per pass, while All-Pro wideout Odell Beckham Jr. managed six catches for 44 yards. Filling in at safety, Rasul Douglas was also to blame on the 50-yard run.
Grade: A
Special teams
Jake Elliott was responsible for 10 points. Cameron Johnston averaged 48.0 yards per punt with two inside the 20. DeAndre Carter averaged 9.4 yards per punt return with a long of 53.
Grade: B+
Coaching
Eagles’ record: 3-3
The only thing Jim Schwartz didn’t have an answer for was Saquon Barkley, and most of that was plain inability to tackle him. The rookie sensation racked up 229 yards from scrimmage, accounting for 60 percent of the Giants’ production. Doug Pederson could’ve called more runs early on, but it didn’t matter against an inept opponent.
Grade: B+