Eagles PFF Grades: Philadelphia's inside linebackers were terrible against Washington

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 Eagles players from Philadelphia's loss to Washington in Week 16. PFF offers explanation on their grading system on their website. Read more about that here.

OFFENSE

Best

Lane Johnson +3.6
Sam Bradford +3.0

Analysis:

Johnson graded out well in pass protection and as a run blocker. Johnson ranks as the 11th best right tackle overall this season.

Bradford earned a positive grade. The Eagles' starting quarterback finished with 37 completions on 56 attempts for 380 yards, one touchdown, and a 91.4 rating. It's worth noting Bradford had to deal with a total of eight drops from his passing targets in this game. One of those was a would-be touchdown for Nelson Agholor. Then again, Bradford also missed some throws. He overthrew a WIDE OPEN Zach Ertz down the field. He also had Agholor open on a fade route in the end zone but the ball was overthrown again.

On the season, Bradford ranks 15th out of 28 NFL quarterbacks (min. 50% snaps).

Worst

Matt Tobin -10.0
Kenjon Barner -2.4
Zach Ertz -2.4
Josh Huff -2.1
Jason Peters -2.0
Brent Celek -1.2
Jason Kelce -1.2
Nelson Agholor -1.2

Analysis:

Tobin got destroyed by Washington's pass rush. The team's starting right guard allowed two quarterback hits and nine hurries, which is awful.

Barner was targeted three times. He had one reception for negative seven yards and two drops. Bad.

Ertz had a big game: 13 receptions for 122 yards. Unfortunately for him, however, he also had two drops and one costly fumble.

Huff had one reception for eight yards and a drop.

Peters visibly struggled in pass protection. The once-sturdy veteran allowed two sacks, two hurries, and committed three penalties. Peters didn't even play the whole game because he reportedly pulled himself out early.

Celek and Kelce both struggled in pass protection. They combined for three hurries allowed.

Agholor dropped a touchdown pass that hit him right in the hands. The rookie still ranks as the worst wide receiver in the NFL this season.

DEFENSE

Best

Fletcher Cox +2.1
Malcolm Jenkins +1.7
Jaylen Watkins +1.7
E.J. Biggers +1.2
Vinny Curry +1.1

Analysis:

Even when the Eagles look bad, Cox always looks good. He was one of the few Eagles defenders actually providing a pass rush. Cox had two sacks, one hit, and two hurries on Kirk Cousins.

Jenkins, Watkins, and Biggers all played well in coverage. It hurts that Jenkins and Watkins had opportunities to pick off passes but dropped them instead. Biggers had a surprisingly good performance relative to expectations. I also found it funny how he was doing the Asante Samuel pose:

S\O to EJ holding down the G stance. #eightiesnation pic.twitter.com/S9zJjiFFCx

— Asante Samuel (@pick_six22) December 27, 2015

Curry had seven hurries on just 29 pass rush snaps.

Worst

Kiko Alonso -4.2
Mychal Kendricks -2.8
DeMeco Ryans -2.8
Walter Thurmond -2.1
Brandon Bair -1.8
Taylor Hart -1.5

Analysis:

Philadelphia's inside linebackers were awful, especially in coverage. Alonso, Kendricks, and Ryans each missed at least one tackle. Alonso was targeted six times. He allowed six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Kendricks was targeted six times. He allowed five receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. Ryans was targeted twice. He allowed 46 yards and a touchdown. Mufasa bit so bad on a Washington play-fake to leave Jordan Reed wide open for Washington's first touchdown. Just terrible. This is a game where the Eagles clearly missed impact rookie Jordan Hicks.

Thurmond struggled in coverage and committed a really dumb penalty late in the first half. Luckily for him he was bailed out by Cousins' bone-headed decision to take a knee.

Bair and Hart both graded out poorly in run defense.