LANDOVER, Md. — Of route it wasn’t lovely, however the Philadelphia Eagles are 7-1 and possesses the most productive document within the NFL after defeating the Commanders 38-31 in Week 8. This is acquainted territory for Philadelphia, overcoming miscues right through the sport but making the performs vital to come back away with a victory.
The Eagles have had or shared the most productive document in soccer for 27 consecutive weeks, a testomony to how gifted and resilient this staff is. This staff is just right, however there are all the time marked spaces for development because the league heads into November.
There have been a variety of reviews shaped from the Eagles’ win over the Commanders, however which might be overreactions and which might be reality? Here’s a glance:
Jalen Hurts knee harm is a larger fear than we predict
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
Hurts does not wish to communicate in regards to the knee harm and the Eagles will downplay it. The brace on Hurts’ knee is not as giant as one avid gamers with knee accidents most often put on, but it is transparent Hurts is enjoying thru ache — even supposing he went 29 of 38 for 319 yards with 4 touchdowns and a 135.7 score.
Hurts took longer to reach at his press convention than same old — chatting with newshounds greater than an hour after the sport. The Eagles quarterback used to be getting remedy on his knee, an harm that is bothering him even supposing Hurts is wholesome sufficient to play.
Hurts goes to play thru an harm that is been bothering him for a number of weeks, and the bye week goes at a very good time for him to relaxation it up. If Hurts can tolerate the ache and proceed his good fortune as some of the recreation’s easiest quarterbacks within the pocket, the Eagles are going to position issues at the board and win video games.
As for the working recreation? That’s some other factor that must be corrected, with Hurts getting wholesome as precedence No. 1.
The working recreation wishes outdoor help
Overreaction or reality: Reality
With the trade deadline drawing near and Hurts restricted working the soccer along with his knee harm, the Eagles need to had observed sufficient to understand their present crop of No. 2 working backs are not slicing it. Kenneth Gainwell fumbled the soccer within the 5 backyard line right through a day which he had two carries for -4 yards.
Since Week 1, Gainwell has 37 carries for 99 yards — a mean of two.68 yards in step with lift. Boston Scott has simply two carries since Week 4 and Rashaad Penny is a wholesome scratch each week. This unit needs to be advanced at the back of D’Andre Swift, who’s averaging simply 3.65 yards in step with lift since Week 4 (72 carries, 263 yards, two touchdowns).
The Eagles are averaging simply 79.3 dashing yards in step with recreation over the closing 3 weeks. Part of it comes to Hurts being restricted at the flooring, however Philadelphia is getting necessarily not anything at the back of Swift.
Howie Roseman will have to be energetic find an development.
Slot CB wishes outdoor help
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
The Eagles entrance place of work can be having a look at slot cornerback heading into the trade deadline, because of the entire accidents that took place on the place. With Kevin Byard at protection, the Eagles moved Sydney Brown and attempted Eli Ricks within the slot for some other week.
Ricks used to be nice in his 19 protection snaps, as Sam Howell went 3 of five for 12 yards with a 64.6 passer score and a cross interference referred to as in opposition to him on 3rd down early within the recreation. Brown had a coarse day in his 30 protection snaps, as Howell went 4 of five for 41 yards and a landing (118.8 score).
Perhaps the Eagles pass with Ricks extra and nonetheless use Brown in box-nickel formations, however the heart of the sphere used to be open because of fast drops and throws by way of Howell The Eagles do not precisely have nice protection linebackers both, even supposing Nicholas Morrow has been a pleasing wonder.
Bradley Roby is also coming again quickly, so he might issue into the combination. The Eagles may get one thing extra everlasting within the slot, however Ricks might deserve extra of a possibility going ahead. There nonetheless is a task for Brown too.
Overreaction or reality: Reality
When Steen entered the sport for Sua Opeta, he performed smartly at proper guard. Steen simplest used to be a cross blocker on six snaps, however he did not permit a unmarried quarterback hit or power. Opeta had 35 cross blocking off snaps and allowed 3 pressures, whilst the run recreation as additionally been affected.
The Eagles have not rushed for over 100 yards in 3 consecutive video games, all 3 of which Opeta has began. Opeta is a serviceable backup proper guard, however Steen is a second-round pick out this is projected to begin in this offensive line as soon as Jeff Stoutland develops him.
Cam Jurgens is eligible to come back off injured reserve this week and will have to be again to help out the working recreation and cross coverage at the proper facet. The time is now to raise Steen at the intensity chart when Jurgens returns.
Steen is a long term starter in this offensive line.