Eagles-Cowboys PFF Grades: Top five players from Philadelphia’s win over Dallas

Pro Football Focus releases the top five graded players from each team after every single NFL game. Here’s what PFF had to say about the Philadelphia Eagles following their Week 11 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

CB Patrick Robinson, 92.4 overall grade

CB Ronald Darby, 89.8 overall grade

G Brandon Brooks, 86.6 overall grade

LB Nigel Bradham, 84.1 overall grade

WR Alshon Jeffery, 84.0 overall grade

PATRICK ROBINSON

Robinson’s been having a fantastic season. He actually ranks as PFF’s No. 1 overall corner, which is crazy.

Robinson had a great night in coverage. He allowed three catches for just 16 yards on seven targets, including two pass breakups. Robinson also had three tackles in coverage that resulted in defensive stops.

Quarterbacks have a 54.5 passer rating when targeting the guy covered by Robinson in the slot this season. That’s tied for the best in the NFL.

Cole Beasley has been a thorn in Philly’s side during previous Eagles-Cowboys games. With Robinson covering him, however, Beasley only had two receptions for seven yards.

RONALD DARBY

Darby was also great in his first game back from injury. He led the team in tackles with eight. Having a lot of tackles as a corner typically isn’t a great thing because it means they’re getting targeted a lot. But the Cowboys were throwing short passes to Dez Bryant and Darby was eliminating the possibility of yards after the catch time after time.

Darby also had two passes defensed and one interceptions. His presence makes the Eagles’ defense even better.

Quarterbacks have a 48.6 passer rating when targeting Darby’s man this season. If he played enough snaps to qualify for PFF’s grade rankings, he’d be 19th out of 118 corners.

BRANDON BROOKS

Brooks was a key part of an Eagles offensive line that paved the way for two rushing touchdowns and 215 rushing yards on 33 carries (6.5 average).

Brooks also ranks second in PFF’s Pass Blocking Efficiency stat. He hasn’t allowed a single sack all season. Brooks grades fourth out of 78 guards this season.

NIGEL BRADHAM

Bradham finished the game with six tackles (four solo). He also recovered Dak Prescott’s fumble and returned it to the house for a defensive touchdown. Bradham ranks 32nd out of 98 4-3 outside linebackers this season.

ALSHON JEFFERY

Jeffery led the Eagles in receiving on Sunday night.

On a night where the Eagles rushing attack wore down the Cowboys, Alshon Jeffery made the most of the targets that came his way. He was thrown to six times, catching four for 67 yards and a touchdown reception while being draped on by CB Jourdan Lewis. Jeffery was the bright spot in the Eagles passing attack as they struggled with drops throughout the game amassing four on the night.

Not mentioned here is that Jeffery also caught a two-point conversion.

Jeffery got off to a slow start this season but he’s been heating up recently: 12 receptions for 213 yards and four touchdowns (plus two 2-point conversions) in the last three games.

He’s looking like a legitimate No. 1 WR. Pay the man, Eagles.

HONORABLE MENTION

Carson Wentz finished JUST outside the top five.

The Eagles offensive game plan worked to perfection, relying heavily on their athletic offensive line in the run game and allowing Carson Wentz to work off of that with the play action and quick passing game. Wentz was under pressure on only 12 of his dropbacks and he was efficient when not blitzed, completing 12-of-24 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns when given time. As mentioned earlier, the Eagles offensive line was dominant as tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai was the only one not to grade above 80.0.

Wentz got off to a slow start against Dallas but he made some really nice throws. His touchdown pass to Jeffery was incredible. Look at this!

Wentz elusive as ever against the Cowboys. He’s such a magician when it comes to avoiding pressure.

Here are some more great throws from Wentz.

Carson Wentz: He’s good.

Also earning honorable mention: Eagles rookie pass rusher Derek Barnett. He’s also pretty good.

Barnett didn’t make much of an impact in run defense, but he has come on strong of late as a pass-rusher. Barnett disrupted the quarterback six times on 22 snaps rushing the passer, tying a season-high. He had two sacks and two hits, including the aforementioned strip sack in the fourth quarter that was the final nail in the coffin.

Barnett ranks ninth out of 37 4-3 defensive ends in pressure rate this season with 31 total pressures in 213 pass rush snaps. That ranks first on the team; Brandon Graham is 11th, Chris Long is 13th, and Vinny Curry is 19th.

Here’s a Derek Barnett love-fest from Baldy.