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The Eagles were able to drown out the noise from the past few weeks and get the win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Things weren’t exactly smooth sailing leading up to the Week 8 contest, with some former players making interesting comments about the Philadelphia locker room — and lots of roster moves ahead of the trade deadline.
Let’s see how former Eagles fared in Week 8:
Michael Bennett traded to the Cowboys
This is not great news.
After being suspended by the Patriots for conduct detrimental to the team in Week 7, the team sent defensive end Michael Bennett to the Cowboys.
New England is trading DE Michael Bennett to the Dallas Cowboys for 7th-round pick that can go to a 6th-round pick in 2021, league sources tell @Schultz_Report and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 24, 2019
Bennett had seen a big reduction of snaps through the first six games of the season, and it seemed to continue in that direction. So, now, he’ll play in Dallas and face his former Eagles team in late-December.
The Cowboys are on bye in Week 8, so we’ll have to wait to see what kind of playing time he gets early.
Other roster moves this week
- Akeem Spence was a surprising cut by the Eagles earlier in the week, but he was quickly signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars — joining an almost-back-from-IR Nick Foles and linebacker Najee Goode. Spence made 3 tackles in Sunday’s win over the Jets.
- After missing a couple games earlier this season, and then suffering a foot injury in Week 7, the Jaguars put linebacker D.J. Alexander on IR.
- Wide receiver Braxton Miller was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.
- It’s been a bit of a back and forth with Jordan Matthews and the 49ers, but after just a couple weeks back on the roster, they decided to cut him Saturday afternoon. He’s spent most of this season unsigned, and didn’t get snaps in his return with the team.
Some find a place on special teams
- The Titans beat the Buccaneers, 27-23, and newly signed Tennessee kicker Cody Parkey played a big role in the win. Parkey finished the game with 9 points, 3 extra kicks and 2 field goals (51-yard long).
- Houston narrowly beat the Raiders on Sunday, and DeAndre Carter has become the Texans go-to special teams players. Carter had 4 punt returns for 32 total yards, 1 kick return for 22 yards, and was even targeted on offense 3 times, catching 1 pass for 46 yards.
- In Atlanta, running back Kenjon Barner has found his role as a returner. On Sunday against the Seahawks, Barner had 3 punt returns for 8 yards and 1 kick return for 22 yards.
LJ Fort finds a role in Baltimore
The Eagles released the linebacker after Week 4, and he was quickly signed by the Ravens. He didn’t get any snaps in his first game with the team, but in Week 6, lined up for 44% of defensive snaps, and 76% of special teams. With a good performance, he earned more playing time last week against Seattle (78% of defensive snaps and 80% special teams), and earned his first sack of the season.
In two games, Fort has 8 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and 1 pass defended. The Ravens are on bye in Week 8, but LJ Fort seems to be finding his legs within the defense.
I’d like to think that Fort is having more success due to the scheme — because it’s not like the Eagles are exactly stacked at the linebacker position.
Orlando Scandrick... and, yikes
Someone was mad he was released by the Eagles after just three games...
Et tu Akeem Spence
From Jaguars newest member DT Akeem Spence on his release from Eagles: 'Its been crazy from getting the news on Monday you are released and I was down and out. I felt like I didn't do anything wrong and I was playing well. It was just unfortunate and I was kind of bummed out.''
— John Reid (@JohnReid64) October 25, 2019
Other notables
- Surprise, surprise, Washington ended up losing to the Vikings on Thursday Night Football. Running back Wendell Smallwood had two carries for 9 yards, and 1 reception for 11 yards — Adrian Peterson took the majority of reps (14). Defensive tackle Treyvon Hester was on the field for 11 defensive snaps (15%).
- The Arizona Cardinals pretty much got demolished by the Saints, 31-9, but it was still a good double-digit performance by linebacker Jordan Hicks — he finished the day with 10 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass defended. Arizona teammate, and fellow linebacker, Joe Walker had a season-high 4 total tackles in the contest.
- On Sunday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Green Bay Packers. For the Chiefs, running back LeSean McCoy had 9 carries for 40 yards and connected on 4-of-10 targets for 23 yards. Blocking for McCoy was (occasionally) Stefen Wisniewski, who lined up for 11 offensive snaps (19%) in addition to 5 special teams snaps (19%). On the other sideline, cornerback Chandon Sullivan had one pass breakup on the night.
- The Giants lost to the Lions in Week 8, and New York wide receiver Golden Tate claimed 8 catches for 85 yards.
- Cornerback Daryl Worley had 5 tackles on Sunday for the Raiders.
- Linebacker Mychal Kendricks continues to have a great season for the Seahawks, and on Sunday, registered 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended and 1 interception.
Mychal Kendricks’ interception is a good illustration of why the Seahawks are able to defy convention and stay in their base defense as much as they have this year: they’ve got LBs who can cover. Atlanta had three WRs on the field, which usually calls for a DB to replace a LB. pic.twitter.com/ahPXoGJrVW
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) October 28, 2019
Injuries and Inactives
- After suffering a hamstring injury last week, Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson was inactive in Week 8.
- Kurt Coleman wasn’t able to face off against the Eagles on Sunday, as the safety was inactive for the Bills with a hamstring issue.
- Linebacker Najee Goode earned a starting defensive spot for the Jaguars two weeks ago, but was injured in Week 7 against the Bengals and was ruled out this week.