Something tells us this didn't slip past any of you, but the Philadelphia Eagles hit the road to play the Cincinnati Bengals this week. This should be fun, though it would be more fun if the game ends with Philly on the right side of the final score.
Points scored are the most important stat of any NFL game, but let's be honest. That isn't why we pay for premium subscriptions to Pro Football Focus.
Admittedly, we're football enthusiasts or nerds. It just depends on the circles we travel in. We obsess over Next-Gen stats and the like. We exercised the same game plan ahead of this NFC East-AFC North tussle.
We dug up some numbers. Here are a few you'll find to be intriguing.
Jalen Hurts crafted a 141.4 passer rating on throws that traveled ten air yards or more in weeks 6 and 7.
Credit CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr for doing his homework here. Jalen Hurts may be finding something with his deep ball.
He has truly put the ball in some fantastic spots when throwing downfield lately. He completed two of five passes that traveled 25 yards or more in Week 6 and Week 7.
He has racked up 81 yards and a 127.1 passer rating in that scenario. He completed eight of 14 passes that traveled ten yards or more, resulting in 176 yards, two TDs and zero interceptions. That adds up to a 141.4 passer rating.
Heading into Week 8, the Eagles are one of five NFL teams that have crafted six offensive plays of 40 yards or more. Granted, four of those six plays were runs by Saquon Barkley, but the Birds are also credited with 17 plays of 20 yards or more.
Seven of those are Saquon Barkley runs. That's a huge reason why he's our pick for NFL Offensive Player of the Year candidate. Let's not forget about Philly's franchise QB though. Sure, there are areas for improvement, but Jalen could be turning a corner now.
Also read: Intriguing Jalen Hurts film studies
AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith tie Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for the most TD receptions by a WR duo since 2022.
We often argue if there's a better WR duo in the NFL than DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. We say there isn't, but we could also be showing some biased opinion.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are good, but statistically, A.J. and DeVonta have been more productive. They tie the Cincinnati Bengals' star duo, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for the most TD receptions by a WR duo. Both tandems have turned in 37. Perhaps Brown and Smith can step ahead during Week 8's Eagles-Bengals clash.
That's especially true if Higgins doesn't play. He popped up on the Bengals injury report on Friday. He's questionable with a quadricep injury.
AJ Brown has scored three TDs versus single coverage this season.
A.J. Brown has been unstoppable versus single coverage this season. Just look at the numbers: 16 targets, 16 receptions, 325 yards, three TD passes. A perfect 158.3 QB rating has been the result whenever he has been targeted.
OUr advice... When Jalen Hurts sees A.J. Brown has single coverage, he should throw him the football. It seemingly doesn't matter who is covering him.
Brandon Graham's bull rush has been unstoppable.
Brandon Graham's bull rush is elite. That isn't an exaggeration.
Pro Football Focus credits him with a 43.75% win rate when using the bull rush on 16 snaps this season. Only Dexter Lawrence (58.82% on 17 snaps), Myles Garrett (50.00% on 18 snaps), and Aidan Hutchinson (44.44% on 18 snaps) have been better.
It kind of makes you wonder why they wouldn't go to the well more often, doesn't it? We know this is supposed to be B.G.'s swan song, but he could truly play one more year if he wants to.