In what appeared to be a pretty solid performance for about three quarters, the wheels fell off a bit for 2024 first-round pick cornerback Quinyon Mitchell as the Philadelphia Eagles blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead to lose to the Denver Broncos 21-17 on Sunday.
Mitchell, who through the first four games (and three quarters) has been one of the NFL's best defensive backs this season. While Mitchell's performance wasn't the worst among NFL cornerbacks by any means, his late-game implosion is what will be remembered during film study and by pundits come Monday morning (or even Sunday night).
Eagles star cornerback was exposed against the Broncos
Mitchell was targeted nine times, giving up six receptions for 81 yards, while allowing five first downs. Mitchell had one pass breakup, while also recording seven tackles (a career high).
Even more frustrating was Cortland Sutton's performance against Mitchell specifically. Sutton caught six of his eight targets against Mitchell for 81 yards, with three receptions for 64 yards coming in the fourth quarter.
Mitchell has been dynamic this year; however, on Sunday, Sutton had his number. Previously, Mitchell had never allowed more than two receptions or more than 49 yards against a receiver in an entire game. Sutton finished the game with eight receptions (on 10 targets) for 99 receiving yards.
It's definitely not the time to panic with Mitchell as the second-year quarterback has put up "All-Pro" performances against players like Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, and DeVantae Adams over the past couple of weeks. As we stated earlier, Sutton was pretty quiet for the first three quarters of Sunday's game with only three receptions for 17 yards against Mitchell prior to his implosion.
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While many may use Sunday's game as a measure of Mitchell folding when the game mattered most, that thought process may be extremely premature. Mitchell has been one of the NFL's top defensive backs since entering the league. Mitchell will have his chance to redeem himself this Thursday against the rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants.