The Eagles have won a home game. The only team in NFL history to start 5-5 without a home win now has a tally in a new column after the Eagles defeated the Redskins 24-16 on Sunday. Philadelphia was led by a great performance from running back LeSean McCoy and three quarters of dominant defense.
The Eagles have won three-straight games for the first time in since the end of the 2011 season. However, unlike in those meaningless victories, this one had a major purpose. The Eagles are now first in the NFC East and are just a half-game behind the 49ers for a wild card spot.
HOT
LeSean McCoy: Shady was terrific, despite a major injury scare. The league's leading rusher went for 77 yards on the ground and added 73 through the air. He was dynamic and shifty, while getting solid yardage and scoring two touchdowns. He is the team's best player and has 1,009 rushing yards on the season. He may be the best player in the division.
Nick Foles: I understand that there are some people that want to nitpick Foles because they want to bring in potential and I get that. However, Foles had his third-straight solid game on Sunday and has proved he can start in the NFL. Foles gained 11.5 yards per attempt on against the Redskins and had 47 yards on the ground with a touchdown. While he did not throw for a score, you could easily argue his strike to Riley Cooper in the third quarter was a touchdown but that is really semantics. Foles made solid reads and a lot of accurate throws to move the ball.
Connor Barwin: A lot of fans were not amused by Barwin's signing but he has been a very good player for Philadelphia this year. With four sacks on the season, Barwin is tied with Vinny Curry for the team's lead in quarterback takedowns. He had a sack/fumble on Sunday as well as a pass deflection. He is a legit factor on defense.
Chip Kelly and Billy Davis: These guys are quite the pair as of late. Kelly has been getting guys open and getting yards like they are going out of style. Davis has been dialing up great blitzes and shutout the Redskins for three quarters for the second time this season. They are both getting the most out of their talent.
The Replacements: Najee Goode and Roc Carmichael had their lumps against the Redskins, but they also had several good plays. Goode had a great blitz that brought down Robert Griffin III for a sack. Billy Davis deserves a ton of credit for that play. Carmichael handled himself relatively well against Leonard Hankerson, Pierre Garcon and Santana Moss. I have a ton of faith in these kids moving forward as top backups.
Nate Allen: Again, Allen has made solid tackles and has been starting-caliber in coverage. I hate to sound like a broken record, but he deserves to be re-signed thus far.
DeSean Jackson: He has just done wonderful as a receiver this year. He catches the ball cleanly and has been able to get yardage after he receives a pass. He had 82 yards on four receptions.
Fletcher Cox and Cedric Thornton: The "Fire and Ice" of the Eagles defense continues to play well. Cox gets penetration like very few and Thornton is a top run-stopper from the 3-4 defensive end position. The defensive line looks set for years. Cox recovered a fumble and had five total tackles on Sunday. Thornton had five solo tackles and was just dominant against the Redskins rushing game.
Bennie Logan: This kid can move. He was constantly in the backfield and if the referees did their jobs, he would have drawn at least two holding call. He is a good filling to the Cox and Thornton sandwich.
Donnie Jones: He is such a solid punter that to think about him being on a one-year deal gives me nightmares. He had a 70-yard punt and averaged 50.7 yards per punt. WOW!
Brandon Boykin: He has proven to be a solid special teamer and a slot corner. He stopped a punt within the five-yard line along with a forced fumble and the game-ending interception in the end zone.
Trent Cole and Brandon Graham: Welcome back, fellas! Cole had two big sacks and Graham made a few plays against the run. These guys aren't long for the roster but they did their part on Sunday.
NOT
Cary Williams: This happens every week, but this guy is just not worth starting. He is not a good player and frankly is incapable of stopping receptions to be made. It does not matter how well you tackle if you consistently give up first downs.
Pat Chung: He has no business in coverage and Kurt Coleman would likely do a better job as a run-stuffer at this point.
Offensive Line Penalties: Jason Peters, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Todd Herremans were all called for a variety of penalties. This cannot become a habit.
Jason Avant: He just doesn't have it anymore. He drops passes and cannot get open. It is a shame, but he is not worthy of the snaps anymore.
Miscellaneous Musings
- I want to give a shout out to my friends at Desert Eagles Nest. If you live on the west coast, just make to check them out. I have been to a lot of Eagles bars but none are as good as this one in Chandler, Arizona.
- The referees suck. I am not sure how they turnover calls that makes sense and those that don't. The league really needs to look into how bad the zebras are for all teams.
- Robert Griffin III: 10 games, 10 starts, 59.7 percent, 83.6 passer rating, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, 345 rushing yards and zero touchdowns. Nick Foles: 8 games, 5 starts, 63.6 percent, 128.0 passer rating, 16 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, 123 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
- Foles is now 4-1 as a starter and also helped win the Giants game after the Eagles were down in the 4th quarter. Keep that in mind when you go looking for draft picks.
- Interesting that Brandon Boykin fielded kickoffs on Sunday, but it seems they are getting Brad Smith up to task on his "football shape."