What We Learned: Defense Shines, Eagles Run Through Jets
What We Learned: Defense Shines, Eagles Run Through Jets
Statement win? Check. The Eagles defense racked up ten sacks in a 25-point victory over the New York Jets. Here are some takeaways:
1. The Jets Can’t Beat The Eagles
With the victory on Sunday, the Eagles moved to 11-0 all-time against the Jets. Unless an unlikely Super Bowl matchup between the two clubs takes place, it’ll remain completely one-sided until at least 2023.
2. Orlando Scandrick, Pass Rusher
Even though Luke Falk was the starting QB on the other side, there was still some cause for concern as the Eagles top three cornerbacks were Rasul Douglas, Craig James, and Orlando Scandrick. It turned out to be no problem. Scandrick had a HUGE game, but not in the way you’d expect from a defensive back. He picked up two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown in which he literally took the ball away from Falk and ran it back for a score. This wasn’t the best game in which to test his coverage abilities, but with a date with Minnesota on the horizon, hopefully, his coverage abilities will shine as well.
3. There’s That Talented D-Line
It doesn’t matter if you’re facing the offensive line of the All-Pro first team or a quintet of Week Two Isaac Seumalo; ten sacks are ten sacks. Brandon Graham and Orlando Scandrick led the charge with five takedowns between themselves. In addition, Philadelphia scored two defensive touchdowns (the defense almost outscored the offense), the aforementioned one from Scandrick and a pick-six from Nathan Gerry. Statement performance by the defense.
4. It Wasn’t All Good Though
The defense was stout, but man did the offense struggle. It just felt like they were going backwards for most of the game. Off games happen, but it’s not encouraging to see going into an extremely tough part of the schedule. Doug Pederson even said he wasn’t happy with the performance on the offensive side of the ball. Nelson Agholor hasn’t been a factor even with the absence of DeSean Jackson, and that’s a huge problem for someone going into a contract year. Speaking of Jackson, nobody really knows what’s going on with him. It seems to be a lot worse than the team has let on, and some even speculate he secretly underwent surgery. Jordan Howard looked good as usual, and he should continue to get more carries as the season goes on. He is a workhorse back and the Eagles cannot waste what they have in him. Especially in games where the passing offense isn’t going, he’s the man to go to. Luckily for the Eagles today, their opponent only scored six points.
5. The Eagles Run Defense is Very Good
For the third season in a row, the Eagles boast one of the NFL’s most superior run defenses. Running backs just cannot get anything going against them. Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott are the next two RBs on the bracket, so it would be amazing for this to continue.
6. The Schedule Gets HARD
As I said in the preview, this game needed to be a confidence-booster for Philadelphia entering a ridiculous seven-week stretch. First up are the Minnesota Vikings, and Kirk Cousins had a bounce-back game this past Sunday. Next, come the hated Cowboys, who have dropped two games in a row in unimpressive fashion. Amari Cooper looked amazing against Green Bay (career-high 226 yards), and we all remember what he did to a similarly decimated Eagles secondary last season. After that comes Buffalo, and even though the league has become accustomed to the Bills being a bottom-dweller, they are 4-1 this season and their defense is elite. Khalil Mack and the Chicago Bears follow (no Cody Parkey this time around), then comes the bye week, and then the Eagles host the New England Patriots (not much needs to be said about them). Finishing off the brutal slate are the Seattle Seahawks, a team that the Eagles just never seem to beat (the Eagles haven’t won against them in over a decade). If the Eagles come out of that stretch alive and well, they receive the Dolphins as a prize. Get well DJax.
The Eagles (3-2) travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings (3-2) next Sunday at 1:00.
-By: Micah Jimoh