:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41839642/457140114.0.jpg)
Pro Football Focus is everyone's favorite site that grades NFL player performances. Let's take a look at what they had to say about the performances from the Philadelphia Eagles 27-0 win over the New York Giants. [Recap]
PFF offers explanation on their grading system on their website. Read more about that here.
OFFENSE
Best
David Molk +3.0
Brent Celek +3.0
Jason Peters +2.4
LeSean McCoy +2.4
Zach Ertz +2.1
Riley Cooper +1.8
Analysis
Molk easily had his best performance of the season. He struggled in pass protection by allowing 2 QB hurries but he was very strong as a run blocker. Veteran tight end Brent Celek also graded out highly as a run blocker. Jason Peters was strong in pass protection and really shut down Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. LeSean McCoy returned to form behind improved blocking with 22 attempts for 149 yards (6.8 average). He also forced 5 missed tackles. Zach Ertz caught 3 passes on 5 targets for 47 yards (15.7 average) including one spectacular touchdown reception. Riley Cooper turned in a good performance with 5 catches on 6 targets for 59 yards. Cooper also graded out well as a blocker.
Worst
Darren Sproles -3.0
Todd Herremans -2.9
Nick Foles -2.1
Matt Tobin -1.4
Analysis
Darren Sproles finished with 7 attempts for 39 yards (5.6 average) and one touchdown but PFF marked him down for his fumble on an attempted toss to wide receiver Josh Huff. As a receiver, Sproles was targeted 4 times but did not catch a pass. He dropped one ball but this grading seems harsh.
Todd Herremans was marked down for 2 QB hits and 1 QB hurry allowed. Matt Tobin gave up 1 and 1 in the same categories.
Nick Foles was great when he wasn't pressured: 19/24 (79.2%), 224 yards, 9.3 yards/attempt, 1 TD, 0 INT, 119.4 passer rating. The problem was that he completely folded under pressure. While some of that blame is on the offensive line, some of it is also on Foles for holding onto the ball too long and drifting horizontally instead of stepping up in the pocket. Foles' stats under pressure: 2/10 (20%), 24 yards, 2.4 yards/attempt, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 sack, 33.3 passer rating.
DEFENSE
Best
Connor Barwin +4.5
Fletcher Cox +2.2
Trent Cole +2.2
DeMeco Ryans +1.6
Vinny Curry +1.4
Cedric Thornton +1.1
Analysis
Philadelphia's pass rush came alive against the Giants. The unit recorded a total of 8 sacks. Connor Barwin stole the show with 3 of those sacks. He also recorded 1 QB hurry, 2 tackles, and 5 run stops. Barwin was a beast. Trent Cole joined in on the pass rush fun with 1 sack, 2 QB hits, and 2 QB hurries. Fun fact: Cole currently leads all NFL players in QB hits. Third year defensive end Vinny Curry notched 2 sacks in just 17 pass rush snaps.
Fletcher Cox and Cedric Thornton were very strong against the run. Cox finished with 4 tackles and 3 run stops while Thornton recorded 3 and 2.
Veteran linebacker DeMeco Ryans, who was playing through injury, struggled a little in coverage but was strong against the run with 3 tackles and 3 stops.
Worst
N/A
Analysis
No defensive players finished at or below the -1.0 mark. Impressive. The lowest graded player was linebacker Emmanuel Acho, who only played 26 snaps, at -0.7.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Best
Chris Maragos +1.5
Cody Parkey +1.2
Darren Sproles +1.1
Analysis
Chris Maragos tipped a Steve Weatherford punt which caused it to only travel 36 yards. Maragos also recorded a special teams tackle. Kicker Cody Parkey was 2-2 on field goal attempts but also kicked 4 touchbacks on 6 kickoffs. Darren Sproles returned 4 punts for 57 yards including a long of 43.