Well, the Philadelphia Eagles won on Sunday. It may not seem like it, but the Birds are 6-2 on the season. Week 9 was stressful. We have seen controversy, but regardless of what transpired, a win is a win.
A tough win hasn't cured some of the concerns. Frankly, it gave birth to a few. We get why there are discussions. A team this good isn't supposed to struggle with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Sure, the refs handed the Jags six points. No one cares about that. The bigger issue is Nick Sirianni kept throwing the wrong team alley-oop passes.
Here's another nugget. Nick isn't the only Eagle who needs to perform better. Young guys need to step up. So do some of the veterans. Pro Football Focus's Week 9 grades seem to support that theory.
Here are the lowest graded Eagles from Philly's Week 9 win over the Jaguars.
Jack Driscoll took one snap at left tackle. Reed Blankenship and Will Shipley took four total snaps at halfback (and, Reed took three of them). All three were given offensive grades of 60.0. We can live with a 62.0 grade for Ben VanSumeren. He has been a breath of fresh air as a lead blocker.
Remove Driscoll, Blankenship, and Shipley's names, and here are the lowest-graded Eagles from Week 9's win. It's worth noting that Bryce Huff only played six snaps. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and head coach Nick Sirianni both said he was dealing with a hand/wrist injury.
- TE Jack Stoll (45.9)
- RB Kenneth Gainwell (46.7)
- EDGE Brandon Graham (48.3)
- FS C.J. Gardner-Johnson (48.9)
- SS Avonte Maddox (50.1)
- LT Fred Johnson (51.6)
- WR Johnny Wilson (52.0)
- DT Jordan Davis (53.9)
- C Cam Jurgens (54.0)
- WR Ainias Smith (54.1)
- DT Milton Williams (59.8)
- DT Thomas Booker (60.4)
- TE Grant Calcaterra (61.1)
- RB Saquon Barkley (61.3)
- FB Ben VanSumeren (62.0)
Random thoughts about the list.
We've probably seen enough to say this. Jordan Davis isn't going to be a consistent game-wrecker or pass rusher. He's had some moments, but Philly needs him to be more dominant.
The same can be said for Brandon Graham, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Nolan Smith, and Milton Williams. Philly's ballers have to ball. Sure, we know B.G. is getting older, but if young guys aren't stepping up, that puts pressure on the veterans.
Here's something else we'll throw out for fodder. The rookie wideouts (Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith haven't been impressive). Jahan Dotson is what he is, relatively average despite a great catch on Sunday.
Someone not named A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith must show up for the WR corps. Thankfully, AJ isn't seriously injured, but the stars need some help. Who can provide them with some?
Worth mentioning:
We hate to kick a man while he's down. Avonte Maddox was always decent when healthy, but as you know, he was never healthy. Now, he's watching Cooper DeJean leave him in the dust.
Philly has elevated the quality of its secondary's play since Coop entered the lineup. Maddox played one snap in coverage, and it was so bad he earned a grade of 50.1.
Ouch...