Week 3: Eagles Studs And Duds
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It is so nice to be able to write this column after a win, finally. If you didn't already know, 1-2 teams make the playoffs 26-percent of the time. 0-3 teams make the playoffs just two-percent of the time.
That was a big---as Chip Kelly called it---"gritty" 24-17 win for the Eagles over the Jets.
Were there negatives? Sure. But at least this season isn't doomed---far from it, actually.
Duds
3. Sam Bradford
This play kind of sums it up for Bradford. 3rd-and-3, early in the second quarter. The Jets are playing single-high man-to-man defense. Eagles are in shotgun, four WRs, with Ryan Mathews in the backfield. First off, Bradford lets the play clock get all the way to :01. No idea why.
Secondly, Miles Austin has separation and all kinds of grass ahead. Bradford fails to lead Austin and the defense gets a hand in, forcing an Eagles punt.
It's been three games. I just need more. Was he terrible? No, certainly not (14-28, 118 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT).
But he needs to be better. The offense needs to be faster. There is no way the play clock should get below 20 seconds, let alone to one second! It just can't happen in this offense. A few drops didn't help him, but Bradford needs to start making winning throws and better decisions if this team wants to play into January.
Ps. Bradford still hasn't attempted a pass longer than 32-yards this season.
2. Nelson Agholor
It's been three games. I need more! Everybody raved about his talent and explosiveness in the preseason (and we caught a glimpse of it against the Ravens), but where has it been? Four targets, no catches for Agholor on Sunday, and two of them (one negated by a penalty pictured above) could have (and probably should have) been caught.
1. Zach Ertz
It's probably my expectations for him, but two catches? That's it? I know the Eagles had just 14 completions, and I don't know if it's game plan or what, but I need more Zertz. He needs to be a force the defense can't handle.
Studs
3. Eric Rowe
Welcome the league, rook. Rowe made two terrific plays, both against Jets rookie WR Devin Smith, pictured above. Look at Rowe locating the ball! Holy heck! He was so bad in the preseason, what happened?
The first one he broke up to force a punt. The second one he picked off, beautifully.
2. Darren Sproles
Just 17 rushing yards, 19 receiving yards, an one egregious drop that may have went to the house, but that punt return touchdown starting it all. It was the spark the Eagles needed.
1. Jordan Hicks
On this play, a 3rd-and-17 late in the first quarter, Hicks---the rookie---is the first to recognize the screen and attacks the pass catcher (Jeremy Kerley). Hicks actually missed the tackle, but disrupts the play, and Connor Barwin tackles Kerley for just a short six-yard gain.
Hicks finished with a team high 10 total tackles, one interception, and a fumble recovery. Not bad for your first NFL start. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of Hicks throughout the season.
