The Eagles might just be back! The Birds have been 3-0 since the bye week and aren't just winning games; they're making statements after two straight blowout wins on the road. It may not seem super impressive to blow out a 3-4 team with zero home wins. However, all of the Bengals' losses have been by one possession, and Philly just won by 20 points. For the first time in 71 years, the Eagles put together two straight 20+ point wins on the road. Philadelphia is 13-1 in their last 14 games played against AFC opponents. They lead the league in 40+ yards with 11, after having 11 total in 2023.
Defense Wins Championships
The Eagles' defense continues to impress after holding the Bengals, who average 25 PPG, to just 17 points, 10 of which came in the first half. This was tied for the second least points Cincinnati has put up this season. The defensive line wasn't as impressive this week as the past two, with just one sack coming from Nolan Smith Jr. and Milton Williams and two TFLs coming from Cooper DeJean and Nakobe Dean. They were highly effective at stopping the run, giving up just 58 yards on 20 attempts, but they did give up a rushing TD, their fourth allowed through seven games played.
The secondary played well again, holding Ja'Marr Chase to 54 yards, just six per reception. Chase scored a touchdown while being guarded by Nolan Smith Jr. Why was Nolan Smith on Ja'Marr Chase? Cooper DeJean has done nothing but show up and show out since becoming a starter. He had three tackles this week; one was an open-field touchdown-saving tackle, and one other was a stop on a Ja'Marr Chase screen pass on fourth down. DeJean has been a significant upgrade at Nickel since taking over for Avonte Maddox.
The team's other rookie DB, Quinyon Mitchell, has locked up yet another elite receiver. He allowed two receptions for 16 yards on Sunday. Mitchell almost got his first career INT (again) but dropped it (AGAIN). Once that young man learns how to catch, the league is in even more trouble.
Darius Slay left the game with a knee injury that he was questionable with coming into the game. Isaiah Rodgers Sr. took his place and did it effectively. He was targeted on a deep ball in the fourth quarter and batted the pass into the hands of CJ Gardner Johnson, who came away with the INT, Burrow's third of the season. Overall, this defense performed beautifully, especially the secondary.
HURTS SO GOOD
It would appear Jalen Hurts is back. He now has three straight games without a turnover and just had a four-touchdown performance. Hurts hasn't had to pass as much lately, but when he does, he does it extremely effectively. This week, he completed 80% of his passes, completing 12 straight passes to end the game, nine of which came in the second half. He's completing 69% of his passes this season, fifth most in the league. His career high is 66.5%; we are arguably witnessing Hurt's greatest passer season. His decision-making and pocket presence are looking sharp again. Hurts escaped the pocket and rushed for positive yardage multiple times, whereas earlier in the season, he would hold onto the ball for too long, waiting for someone to get open, resulting in a big sack or an interception. After Week 2 against the Falcons, I talked about how Hurts was extending runs by cutting and lowering his shoulder, showing off his strength that most QBs don't have, and he showed it again this week.
When QB1 plays how he should, so does the rest of the team. This was the most complete Eagles game this season and arguably the most complete game since 2022. AJ Brown did what AJ Brown does, putting up 84 yards on five receptions. However, this was his first game played this season with no receiving touchdown. That's because the only receiving touchdown of the game was a 45-yard DOT to DeVonta Smith, who led the team with 85 yards on six receptions.
Grant Calcaterra filled Dallas Goedert's shoes once again, putting up 58 yards on three receptions. He had the highest yards per reception on the team, with 19.3! Hurts may have had all three rushing TDs, but Saquon had 108 rushing yards, averaging 4.9 a carry.
The Offense is Evolving
The Eagles still have yet to score in the first quarter this season, but this time, it was because the Bengals' first drive was 17 plays and 10 minutes long. Philly did score on their first offensive drive, kicking a 39-yard field goal. All four of Hurts' incompletions came in the first two drives, three of them came during seven play span in Philadelphia's second drive of the game. Like Kellen Moore's offense, the playcalling is finally looking more creative and fresh. This week, Jalen Hurts threw passes all over the field, including the middle. We see how well it worked with him completing 80% of his passes and throwing for 236 yards.
The Eagles ranked 10th in under-center usage rate this week, and they're even getting more creative running the ball. Philadelphia ran the ball to the outside zone on 22% of runs after averaging 7% on the season. If the play-calling and decision-making continue to trend in this direction, the Eagles' offense will find its identity very soon if they haven't already. If the defense keeps playing how it has, the Eagles could live up to their pre-season expectations of being Super Bowl contenders.
Final Score: Eagles 37, Bengals 17
Dixon's Three Stars:
1st Star: Jalen Hurts (16/20, 236 Passing Yards, 37 Rushing Yards, 4 Total Touchdowns)
2nd Star: DeVonta Smith (6 Receptions, 85 Yards, 45 Yard Touchdown)
3rd Star: Cooper DeJean (3 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD)
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