Philadelphia Eagles Week 3: Stock Up, Stock Down
Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) is hit by Washington Redskins free safety Ryan Clark (25) and cornerback David Amerson (39) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. He was injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Stock Down
1) LeSean McCoy
Less than a year removed from his spectacular 2013 season where he won the NFL rushing title, running back LeSean McCoy has undoubtedly struggled this year. I had anticipated big things of him in this game infront of a home crowd, but McCoy was unable to get it going against a stout defense by Washington that is beginning to make a name for itself. While he exited the game briefly following a helmet to helmet collision, McCoy came back but was unable to find any success rushing.
Shady’s patented cutback and shake-and-bake moves that electrify the fanbase (as well as SportsCenter) were nowhere to be found as he was held to just 22 yards on 20 carries. There were very few positives to take away from McCoy this game, but at least the Philadelphia medical staff did their due diligence evaluating him before letting him return to the game.
The injuries and suspensions to the offensive line have taken a toll on Philadelphia’s running game as they’ve averaged just under 100 yards rushing through three games. The Eagles should be thankful they get back Lane Johnson in two weeks but may need to scour some practice squads for some immediate depth if the injuries keep up at this rate.
2) Jason Kelce
Center Jason Kelce had a brutal day leaving the game with a lower abdomen injury during the second half. He unfortunately took points off the board for the Eagles after an 80-yard receiving touchdown by Jeremy Maclin that was called back due to Kelce’s unnecessary block in the back penalty. Maclin had a good step on the nearest defender and it looked like Kelce was just trying to preserve that lead but did so from a poor angle.
Kelce’s injury leaves the Philadelphia Eagles dangerously thin on the offensive line. Only right guard Todd Herremans remains of the unit’s starting lineup. With Jason Peters also missing time to due to his ejection following an altercation during the game, the Eagles really needed Kelce during this game. Philadelphia can’t afford to lose Kelce for an extended period of time, so hopefully this injury won’t cause him to miss anymore time as they face a tough San Francisco 49ers defense next week.
3) Pass Rush
Where was the pass rush throughout the game? After last week’s abysmal lack of pressure against Andrew Luck, surely the front seven of the defense would be more inclined to show up in this week’s game. Yet Philadelphia was unable to sack the quarterback again this week as Kirk Cousins escaped unscathed with only a handful of QB pressures. Outside linebackers Trent Cole and Connor Barwin seemed nearly invisible combining for just five tackles without any sacks or tackles for loss. This is now two straight games where the Eagles defense has been unable to sack the opposing quarterback.
At times Cousins had all day to throw which was evident in him piling up 427 passing yards against the Eagles. Defensive coordinator Bill Davis needs to find ways to either mix up his scheme and strategy or mix up his personnel to find ways to consistently apply pressure to the quarterback. The secondary had been struggling all game against wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon and a better pass rush would have helped aid them spending less time in coverage. The Eagles have yet to provide Nick Foles with a comfortable lead in a game as the Eagles have already had a season’s worth full of drama-inducing 4th quarters.