Monday Problems with Saturday Solutions: Playoff wide receivers inspire hope

Despite the Eagles winning on Monday and staying in the NFC East race, the team has clear problems. As has been the case for the whole year, the Eagles’ wide receivers failed to provide any sort of spark for the offense. Now with Alshon Jeffery out for the season, the team is truly working with spare parts. While immediate help isn’t on the way, Saturday’s college games show that the upcoming class of wide receivers could truly cure a lot of the Eagles’ offensive woes.

Oklahoma advanced to the College Football Playoff after a win over Baylor. Their win in the Big 12 championship owes some serious credit to another masterful performance from CeeDee Lamb. The junior playmaker caught 8 passes for 173 yards, including an incredible 71 yard catch where he showed off his big time YAC skills. Lamb has been outstanding this year, averaging almost 21 yards a catch on 58 receptions and scoring 14 touchdowns. He will have a tough match in the playoffs against LSU, but he has already established himself as one of the premier playmakers in the upcoming draft.

For LSU, it was Justin Jefferson who shines in their domination of Georgia to win the SEC. Jefferson caught seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown against the stingy Bulldog offense. The junior touchdown machine has been competing all season with Ja’marr Chase for targets, but Saturday was all about Jefferson. Jefferson is a top ten player in the country in terms of receptions, yards and touchdowns. He will no doubt continue his dominance into the playoffs. Clemson won the ACC in a convincing fashion, beating UVA 62-17.

Clemson’s dismantling of the Cavaliers was partly due to a monstrous game from Tee Higgins. The 6’4” red zone nightmare caught nine passes for 182 yards and a touchdown hat trick. Higgins showed off his great hands and his rare blend of size and athleticism. Higgins is 99th in the country in receptions but is top ten in touchdowns and yards per catch. He has been the number two option in the Clemson offense this year but has been deadly efficient when he’s been targeted. Higgins will be facing down Ohio State’s multiple NFL caliber defensive backs in a few weeks in what will be must watch television for draftniks.

Finally, Ohio State came back to beat Wisconsin in an exciting Big 10 championship. Their comeback win rode partially on the play of KJ Hill. Hill caught seven passes for over 80 yards and two scores. Hill has been a touchdown machine for the Buckeyes this year, scoring once every five catches. He is a quick footed, sure handed player who will he key for the Buckeyes down the stretch.

All the playoff teams have true playmakers at the wide receiver position and those pass catchers were crucial in them advancing to the postseason. For Eagles fans, they’ll want to keep their eyes peeled in the playoffs for these outstanding prospects.