Eagles versus Commanders: Encouraging signs, troubling takeaways

There’s a ton of reason to be optimistic about the Eagles.

It doesn’t get any better than a 2-0 start. Who knows if the Eagles can sustain the machine-like efficiency that we saw at various points of their second game, but here’s what we can say. If this team continues to play as they did versus the Vikings, they won’t lose for a while.

Here’s the good news.

1. Jalen Hurts continues to improve.

It can’t be stated enough. Jalen Hurts‘ performance during the first two weeks of this season has been awe-inspiring. Do you now see what some experience, work ethic, and stability in the coaching staff can do for a young signal-caller?

2. Jonathan Gannon is making adjustments.

Those who don’t learn from mistakes are doomed to repeat them. Jonathan Gannon struggled to make in-game adjustments in 2021, but if Week 2 was any indication, we may be turning a corner.

3. Nobody wants any smoke with James Bradberry.

Darius Slay has been so good that people are ignoring what James Bradberry is doing on the other side of the defensive formation. He isn’t being tested much, and when he is, there’s been virtually no success rate.

Here’s the bad news.

1. The Birds are struggling to finish games.

In Week 1, the defense nearly fell apart at the game’s end. In Week 2, the offense fizzled after an explosive start. The next step to becoming elite means this team needs to find consistency on both sides of the ball for all four quarters

2. Jordan Mailata is struggling… big time.

We know Jordan Mailata can play. He’s committing a lot of penalties though, and following Week 2, he earned a grade of 52.7 from Pro Football Focus.

3. Where are the rookies and second-year stars?

We’ve praised Eagles vice president/general manager Howie Roseman for two good-looking drafts in succession. Unfortunately, this team hasn’t gotten much from their younger players, and this year’s first-rounder, Jordan Davis, is barely playing at all.