Eagles vs. Jets PFF Grades: Philadelphia's run game is showing some promise

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 victory over the New York Jets in Week 3. PFF offers explanation on their grading system on their website. Read more about that here.

OFFENSE

Best

Jason Peters +2.2
Brent Celek +2.2
Andrew Gardner +1.7

Analysis:

The Eagles run game got back on track against the Jets due to some improved blocking up front. Peters had a good game. Celek bounced back as a good run blocker after grading out terribly in Week 2. Gardner struggled in pass protection by allowing two hurries and a quarterback hit but he opened up space as a run blocker.

Worst

Sam Bradford -3.5
Nelson Agholor -2.2
Jason Kelce -2.0
Allen Barbre -2.0
Ryan Mathews -1.9
Miles Austin -1.7
Matt Tobin -1.3
Lane Johnson -1.3

Analysis:

Still a lot of bad performances on the Eagles' offense. The worst performer is none other than the team's starting quarterback: Sam Bradford. He was truly terrible against the Jets. Too often did he look hesitant. He mightily struggled with accuracy issues. Perhaps the worst part about Bradford's struggles is they came when he wasn't even pressured. He completed 12 passes on 21 attempts (57.1%) for a mere 74 yards (3.5 attempt, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 64.4 passer rating while facing no pressure. That's bad. There's no question Bradford needs to be way better moving forward.

Despite playing 93% of the Eagles' snaps and being targeted four times, Agholor was held without a single catch. He dropped one pass.

Kelce and Barbre were both marked down with bad run blocking grades. So not everyone on the offensive line has improved just yet.

Mathews was marked down for his mistakes. The Eagles running back dropped two wide open passes and also had a fumble that could have turned out very costly late in the game.

Austin was targeted four times and didn't make a catch. He was credited for one drop.

Tobin came in to replace Gardner at right guard before later replacing Peters at left tackle for a few snaps. Tobin mostly held up in pass protection but struggled as a run blocker.

Johnson held up very well as a pass blocker but really struggled as a run blocker. Johnson was also flagged once.

DEFENSE

Best

Walter Thurmond +2.8
Brandon Bair +2.5
Eric Rowe +1.8
Vinny Curry +1.6
Nolan Carroll +1.5
Brandon Graham +1.5
Fletcher Cox +1.2

Analysis:

Thurmond is currently PFF's No. 2 overall graded safety. He's been awesome in coverage, as seen with his interception against the Jets. He's also been getting the job done in run support. He had five tackles against New York, including at least one tackle for loss.

Bair had heck of a game, especially for a player who was a healthy scratch for the first two weeks. He batted two passes and made three tackles. PFF also credited him with a hurry on Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Rowe excelled during limited playing time. The rookie was targeted three times. He picked off one pass and knocked down another.

Curry was solid as always off the bench. He recorded two hurries and one hit on the quarterback.

Carroll has quietly been a real solid starting cornerback. He was targeted nine times against the Jets but only allowed five receptions for 49 yards (5.4 average). He had two passes defensed.

Graham generated a lot of pressure with five hurries and two hits.

Cox was also responsible for pressure on a regular basis with five hurries.

Worst

Byron Maxwell -2.4
Connor Barwin -2.1
Beau Allen -2.0
Malcolm Jenkins -1.2

Analysis:

Maxwell's struggles continued on Sunday. He was targeted six times and allowed six receptions for 75 yards. He was also flagged three times, with one of those penalties being declined.

Despite having a sack, a hit, and a hurry, Barwin was marked down for not generating enough pressure in 37 total pass rush snaps. He was also penalized at one point.

Allen got marked down for bad run defense.

Jenkins allowed two touchdowns, but they were short ones. Jenkins seemed to play better than his grade indicates here.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Best

Donnie Jones +2.0
Jerome Couplin +1.5
Darren Sproles +1.2

Analysis:

Jones punted nine times for a 41.2 net average. Two of those punts were downed inside the 20.

Couplin stepped up in the absence of Chris Maragos on the special teams unit and finished with two tackles.

Do I really need to explain why Sproles got a good grade?

Worst

Cody Parkey -4.2

Analysis:

Parkey suffered an injury during pregame, according to Chip Kelly. It really showed. Parkey didn't manage to kick a single touchback on his five kickoffs. He was penalized for one kickoff that went out of bounds. The Eagles are working out six free agent kickers on Monday.