Another week, another Eagles win. It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to say those words but it feels good. The media is already beginning to overhype the implications of this game on the future direction of the Eagles. Before we get ahead of ourselves here are 3 key takeaways from this game.
- Jalen Hurts is a better scheme fit for this Eagles team
Carson Wentz leads the NFL in total sacks taken. Jalen Hurts was not sacked once yesterday, is that a coincidence? No, and here is why. Jalen Hurts is much more mobile and was able to use his legs to avoid sacks, that Carson Wentz would have taken. The Eagles O-line is depleted and broken, as a result they cannot be relied on to hold up on blocks and protect the pass. Therefore, getting our quarterbacks out of the pocket is needed. It is important to note Jalen was much better with the same offensive line that Wentz had. While Wentz can run the ball he is not nearly as good as Jalen Hurts. Hurts had 106 yards rushing, against a defense that hadn’t allowed a 100 yard rusher since 2017. I’m not saying Hurts is better than Wentz, but with this current train wreck of a roster Jalen Hurts gives the Eagles the best opportunity to win the rest of the season.
2. The Eagles defense is legit
Despite several injuries throughout the game that sent undrafted free agents into the secondary, the Eagles defense never really wavered. The defensive line is finally coming together, Javon Hargrave has finally started to show up racking up 2 sacks and a huge fumble recovery in yesterdays game. They were able to limit Alvin Kamara to only 50 yards and the Saints to 96 total rushing yards. The secondary deserves credit with having to insert players such as Kevon Seymour, who was playing in his first Eagles game and first NFL game since 2017 after key injuries to Darius Slay and Rodney Mcleod. Most importantly however, the Eagles FINALLY got an interception. Duke Riley got the first INT for the Eagles since October and it was beautiful.
3. The Eagles need to explore alternative kicking options
Jake Elliot has been a disaster kicking the football this season. In a day that saw kickers across the NFL miss a multitude of kicks, RIP Dan Bailey. Jake Elliot had perhaps the worst miss yesterday. 22 FUCKING YARDS, you gotta be kidding me. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of high school and college kickers who could make that kick. Elliot’s miss totally changed the momentum of the game as the Saints scored the next 14 points. That kick aside Jake Elliot is making 72.2% of his kicks, that’s fucking atrocious. Being a kicker is the hardest position in the NFL, one mistake and your immediately criticized, but Elliot has made multiple mistakes this season and if he doesn’t fix himself he needs to go.
A win is a win, I’m happy and if you are an Eagles fan than you should be too. It wasn’t the prettiest game and it came with some scares, but this team and coaching staff deserves credit for the shit roster Howie Roseman has assembled. I’m going to leave you with one thing. GOOOOOOOOO BIRDSSSSSSS.
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