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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.
.@Eagles @PatRobinson25 is the guy that can finally cover Cole Beasely #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/hwjiexpOh1
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
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.
.@Eagles @realronalddarby back from the training room and this is why you make the deal for an elite CB #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/bMkQR8RnNv
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
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.
.@Eagles @CoreyClement_6 goes to paydirt behind @bbrooks_79 trap block. Nothing exotic , just great execution #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/ptK1YeahlV
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
Shot 1 - The #Eagles gained large chunks of yardage vs DAL using their 'Trap' scheme. Let DT David Irving upfield, get playside OL up to the 2nd level. Quick-hitting run play. pic.twitter.com/Rc223dFtfS
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
Shot 3 - The #Eagles have used plenty of 'Tackle-Over' sets this year (Unbalanced OL). Had a lot of success with Pin-Pull scheme on Sunday night from that look. Get guards on the move, use Kelce's athleticism at 2nd level, great angles for both OTs pic.twitter.com/N2YqYfIEsE
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
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.
Shot 6 - Wentz hits Jeffery on this 2-point conversion on a play outside of structure. Pressured by 3-man rush in Empty set. Makes both David Irving and Demarcus Lawrence miss. Alshon uncovers and they convert. Great play #Eagles pic.twitter.com/LgX8RCj6KO
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
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.
Frank Reich on Alshon Jeffery: “Totally unselfish. Hard worker.”
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) November 21, 2017
Says plays Alshon made in Cowboys game explain why Eagles signed him.
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!
Shot 8 - This throw by Wentz vs Cover 2 Man in the red zone is bananas. On 4th-and-5, he hits Alshon on a rope at the goal line for six. Stuck it between the corner and the safety where only his WR could get it #Eagles pic.twitter.com/IdqKqshSzx
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
Wentz elusive as ever against the Cowboys. He’s such a magician when it comes to avoiding pressure.
Shot 7 - Great play by Wentz off play-action. Makes LB miss, protects the ball, makes a throw to Jeffery on the run with pinpoint accuracy with defender still wrapped around his legs. Big-time throw. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/xPwPGKW48y
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
Shot 6 - Wentz hits Jeffery on this 2-point conversion on a play outside of structure. Pressured by 3-man rush in Empty set. Makes both David Irving and Demarcus Lawrence miss. Alshon uncovers and they convert. Great play #Eagles pic.twitter.com/LgX8RCj6KO
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
Here are some more great throws from Wentz.
Shot 4 - Maybe my favorite #Eagles play vs DAL. 3x1 set w/ Ertz at X-Iso. CB lines up over him. That signals zone coverage. Wentz changes the concept, moves big WR Alshon Jeffery into the slot. Attacks void in Cover 3. Keeps eyes off Alshon to hold LB. Big time 1st down. pic.twitter.com/K3KRLmPkNy
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
I think this is one of my favorite plays from Wentz this yr. Understanding of coverage tendencies, awareness to move big WR into the MOF, manipulation of multiple defenders, willingness to make tight window throw vs zone & ability to fit it right on the numbers to move the chains
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
Shot 5 - Another great hookup between Wentz and Jeffery. Wentz starts to the 3-WR side on 3rd-and-9. Doesn't like what he sees, so gets to the backside Dig route. Bangs a throw in with huge David Irving in his face for first down. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/eCAXLtzOrz
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
Shot 9 - #Eagles are one of the best in the NFL at creating matchups & diagnosing coverage out of 13 personnel. Here's a 2-play sequence on the 1st TD drive. Barner matched up vs a CB 1on1 outside signals zone. Wentz puts throw right in 'Turkey Hole' for big play to set up TD run pic.twitter.com/EdT5hjZx9M
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) November 20, 2017
.@Eagles @cj_wentz is absolutely fearless as he is willing to take the "gut punch " to deliver another TD strike #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/M6Kqnl6u6U
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
.@Eagles @CoreyClement_6 scores on a 2 point try and it's the threat of @cj_wentz running that makes this play work #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/CM3STd9DgY
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
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.
.@Eagles #DerekBarnett is not fooled by "bootleg action" and down goes Dak #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/SqPhl0a6fc
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
.@Eagles #DerekBarnett with the "sack-fumble-hustle" This rookie could play in the " black and white TV era" #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/UxikVrgLvq
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
.@Eagles #DerekBarnett never takes a play off even in "mop up duty" with the score 37-9. The ROOK is wired the right way #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/jA9mp8XMXQ
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
.@Eagles #DerekBarnett shows you why stats and the love of stats can't always describe a player. He is like a cobra under the bedsheets of QB's #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/wmVEffixdg
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
.@Eagles #DerekBarnett affects this Dak throw to Dez and the @realronalddarby gets the INT. #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/h86hHNzdxf
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017
.@Eagles #DerekBarnett forces Dak to step up and rushes this 3-10 throw. Punt Team ! #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/wg8wNt0xGY
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2017