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Week 5: Eagles Studs And Duds

By Andrew Porter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- If you listen closely, you can hear the collective sigh of relief in Philadelphia on this glorious Monday morning.

The Eagles avoided a disastrous 1-4 start by beating the New Orleans Saints 39-17 on Sunday at the Linc. All of the sudden, with a win next Monday night over the Giants, the Eagles could find themselves atop the NFC East.

 

Duds

 

3. Caleb Sturgis

Hey, he was 4-4 on field-goals and I get that, but he missed an extra-point and likely caused Chip Kelly to go for it on two 4th-and-long situations. It's still hard to trust Sturgis and he scares me going forward.

2. Riley Cooper

Cooper
With 25 seconds left in the first half, Riley Cooper drops a pass around the 15-yard line of the Saints. (Photo credit: NFL Game Rewind screen shot)

None of the Eagles' wideouts, maybe sans Josh Huff, played well on Sunday and the Eagles still managed 519 yards of total offense. Kind of amazing. But anyway, Cooper had just three catches on eight targets (tied for team-high). Not good.

His route-running wasn't great either.

 

1. Jordan Matthews

As bad as Cooper was, and he was bad, Matthews had his worst game as an Eagle. Matthews did have five catches on seven targets for 44 yards, but his worst play doesn't show up on the stat sheet. Matthews had multiple drops, but none more egregious than a wide open touchdown drop which---thankfully for Matthews---was negated by an Eagles penalty.

 

Studs

 

Honorable mention: Offensive line

Collectively, they were impressive. 186 rushing yards and 0 sacks allowed with Jason Peters and Lane Johnson banged up. Warrior-like game by those guys.

3. Sam Bradford

New Orleans Saints v Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 11: Sam Bradford #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles attempts a pass in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on October 11, 2015 at Lincoln Financial field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Saints 39-17. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

I know he threw two abysmal interceptions in the end zone (and abysmal doesn't even do the first one justice), but when your quarterback completes 32 of 45 passes for 333 yards, two touchdowns, and doesn't take a sack en route to 519 total yards of offense and 39 points, you must give him credit.

More impressive than the numbers though was Bradford's poise and confidence in the pocket. The offense consistently rant smoothly all game for the first time this year, and it was beautiful to see.

2. Brent Celek

New Orleans Saints v Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 11: Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch for a first down and attempts to hurdle Delvin Breaux #40 of the New Orleans Saints in the third quarter during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 11, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Saints 39-17. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)

I have to give Brent Celek credit today. Celek is the pro-typical Philadelphia Eagle. Just a man's man. Celek, 30, is in his 9th NFL season and he just keeps ballin'. Blocking in the run game, passing game, and then he explodes for three catches, 44 yards, and a touchdown when you least expect it.

1. Fletcher Cox

New Orleans Saints v Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 11: Fletcher Cox #91 and Byron Maxwell #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles react after Cox forced and recovered a fumble in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints on October 11, 2015 at Lincoln Financial field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Saints 39-17. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Cox is a star, it's as simple as that.

  • 6 tackles (one tackle for loss)
  • 3 sacks
  • 2 forced fumbles (leading to 10 Eagles' points)
  • 1 fumble recovery

 

Cox became the first Eagle with three sacks and two forced fumbles in the same game since sacks became an official stat in 1982.

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