Eagles vs. Cowboys: Three Storylines to Watch For
By Matt Giraldi
Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Julio Jones(11) catches a touchdown pass past Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Byron Maxwell (31) in the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Byron Maxwell Is Not Overrated…Unless He Is
The picture above looks eerily similar to a frame burned into Philadelphia Eagles fans minds everywhere. Of course, I am referring to that of Bradley Fletcher getting roasted by Dez Bryant over and over last season. Over the course of the game, Maxwell was targeted 11 times. The Falcons completed 10 passes for 179 yards. Maxwell also was flagged for an 18 yard pass interference penalty as well.
I understand the common narrative everyone is finding. Maxwell no longer has the Legion of Boom to cover his fallacies as a corner. And that’s fine. But let’s also realize that Julio Jones is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. One of the key points I focused on last week was the pass rush affecting the timing of Matt Ryan. That failed to happen.
Sam Bradford was hit eight times, according to #Eagles-Falcons stat book. Matt Ryan, by comparison, was hit three times.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) September 15, 2015
Matt Ryan was sacked twice by Fletcher Cox, but the most important sack (resulting in a fumble and Eagles recovery) was negated by an illegal contact penalty. The very next play was Julio Jones’ 22 yard touchdown before halftime. Sometimes things snowball. Sometimes things are also not taken in full context. In the second half, Jones only had two catches. It’s important to realize that Maxwell should never have been expected to be a Chris Harris Jr. or Richard Sherman. Expectations didn’t need to surpass his contract, and criticisms need to take in context.
If Maxwell continues to struggle, then we can liken him to Nnamdi Asomugha. With a matchup against Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Devin Street, and Brice Butler, I have a feeling that the overreactions following this week will liken Maxwell to a hybrid combination of Deion Sanders and Willie Brown. For all of our sakes, let’s hope his performance Sunday can entertain that thought process.
Next: Zach Ertz and Brent Celek Conundrum