10 Things We Learned About the Eagles in Week 2

Another week, another huge halftime deficit, another miraculous comeback for the Philadelphia Eagles. This time, the Eagles pulled off their magic against the defending AFC South champion Indianapolis Colts, handing Andrew Luck his second straight loss for the first time since he entered the NFL in 2012.

At 2-0, the Eagles are one of just three undefeated teams in the NFC along with the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers (both teams ironically are winning on the strength of a defense led by a former Eagles defensive coordinator—Todd Bowles in Arizona and Sean McDermott in Carolina).

It's tough not to feel overconfident, but at this point, the Eagles look like they will run away with the NFC East division title.

The big question is whether the Eagles can win enough games to grab a bye in the postseason. Lucky for them, the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers all have at least one loss, while the New Orleans Saints are in last place at 0-2.

Those four teams were considered the cream of the crop in the conference before the season along with the Eagles. But through two games, it's just the Eagles with an undefeated mark.

1. Something Is off with Nick Foles

It's been two games now, and Nick Foles doesn't look anything like the quarterback he was in 2013. We all know the numbers by now: 27 touchdowns, just two interceptions and a 119.2 passer rating, the third-highest single-season mark in NFL history.

Foles won't come close to those numbers in 2014. He rebounded from another atrocious first half to lead the Eagles to 24 second-half points, including a game-winning drive in the final two minutes. He's coming through in the clutch, but something still isn't right.

He's completing just 58.5 percent of his passes, and his four turnovers have already matched his entire 2013 output. He's clearly having trouble getting in sync with Jeremy Maclin (despite Maclin's 142 yards and two touchdowns) and Riley Cooper. Let's hope it's just a slump or funk and not the real Nick Foles.

2. Unlike 2013, the Offense Doesn't Go as Nick Foles Goes

Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rates Nick Foles as the worst quarterback in the NFL this season. Yet the Eagles lead the NFL in points scored. That really speaks wonders to Chip Kelly as a head coach. He's an offensive genius, and it's become apparent that the Eagles go as Kelly goes, not as Foles goes.

"

According to PFF, Nick Foles has been the NFL's worst QB this season. Eagles rank first in points.

— Bryn Swartz (@eaglescentral) September 16, 2014"

Remember last year's debacles against the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants when the Eagles scored three offensive points in a two-game span? I don't think that could happen this year.

Even with a quarterback who has yet to put together anything resembling a good game, the Eagles have scored 27 and 30 points on offense. The Eagles don't need Foles to post 119.2 passer ratings to win. They just need him to be average, and luckily for the Eagles, there's no doubt in my mind that he's above-average.

3. Darren Sproles Wasn't a One-Week Wonder

Darren Sproles was amazing against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. He was the best player on the field for the Eagles, and it wasn't even close. I was initially concerned that it was a fluke great game for Sproles, but his dominance against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 eliminates the possibility of Week 1 being a fluke.

Sproles was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week against the Colts, as he ran four times for 26 yards and a touchdown and caught seven passes for a ridiculous 152 yards. He scampered more than 50 yards on a screen pass twice, and his 17-yard catch-and-run in the final minute set up Cody Parkey's walk-off field goal.

Sproles leads the Eagles in total yards (263), receiving yards (166) and touchdowns (two). He's averaging more than 10 yards every time he touches the ball. Quite simply, he's been the best offseason acquisition by any NFL team so far.

4. Riley Cooper Looks Lost on the Football Field

It's been just two games without DeSean Jackson, yet there's basically no way to deny that Riley Cooper is lost without a deep threat drawing double coverage on the other side of the field. Cooper has caught just five passes for 37 yards through two games.

His drop in the end zone against the Colts could have easily cost the Eagles the game. He rates as the worst wide receiver in the NFL this season, per Pro Football Focus. 

5. Fletcher Cox Is the Best Player on the Defense

There are three young and very promising defensive players on the Eagles: Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks and Brandon Boykin. I'm going to go with the pass-rusher as the best. Through two games, Cox has been an absolute animal.

He scored his first career touchdown on a 17-yard fumble return against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, and he added a forced fumble against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. He also leads the team with 10 tackles in two games. 

6. Without Mychal Kendricks, the Eagles Are in Big Trouble

If Mychal Kendricks cannot play against Washington in Week 3 after injuring his calf last week, the Eagles could be in for a long game against Alfred Morris and the Redskins. The difference between Kendricks and backup Casey Matthews is tremendous. 

"

"The difference between Kendricks and Casey Matthews is the difference between Lawrence Taylor and a regular LB." @ZBerm #EaglesTalk

— PSTonCSN (@PSTonCSN) September 17, 2014"

"

I am really not trying to mean. I honestly believe this. Casey Mathews might be the worst player in the NFL. No BS

— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) September 16, 2014"

Personally, I would start Emmanuel Acho over Matthews and lean to a lot of nickel defenses and dime defenses—any package that requires one fewer linebacker on the field. 

7. Nothing Will Change Regarding Brandon Boykin's Playing Time

After playing in just 25 snaps against the Jaguars, Brandon Boykin was expected to see much more playing time against the Colts and their three-wide receiver formations. 

"

I think Brandon Boykin will see 50 snaps on Monday. - Mike Quick

— PSTonCSN (@PSTonCSN) September 12, 2014"

Yet that didn't happen. The Colts came out running, finishing the game with 38 runs for 169 yards. Boykin played in just 21 snaps, fewer than he did in Week 1. For what it's worth, he had a solid game, finishing with three catches allowed on six passes for just 24 yards, per Pro Football Focus. 

8. Malcolm Jenkins Is the Best Safety the Eagles Have Had Since Quintin Mikell

Consider me among the many who questioned the Eagles' signing of Malcolm Jenkins this past offseason, especially when Pro Bowl players Jairus Byrd and T.J. Ward were both available on the free-agent market. But through two games, Jenkins has outplayed both. He made four tackles and laid a massive hit on receiver Allen Hurns. 

"

That hit by Malcolm Jenkins may be the hardest I've seen since a certain future Hall of Famer roamed the secondary.. #Eagles

— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) September 7, 2014"

In Week 2, Jenkins provided the biggest defensive play of the season (so far), intercepting Andrew Luck near the red zone with just five minutes remaining. If he hadn't been tripped up, Jenkins may have taken the pick all the way. 

It's early, but right now, Jenkins looks like the best safety the Eagles have had since Quintin Mikell in 2010. 

"

Malcolm Jenkins rates as the sixth-best safety in NFL, per PFF. Ranked 65th of 86 in 2013.

— Bryn Swartz (@eaglescentral) September 16, 2014"

9. Cody Parkey > Michael Jordan

You really couldn't have scripted a better start to his career for Cody Parkey. After nailing a 50-plus yard field goal in Week 1, Parkey overcame a missed 38-yard field goal in Week 2 to drill a walk-off game-winner. 

"

Cody Parkey just kicked a walkoff field goal against his former team less than a month after they traded him for basically nothing. #Eagles

— Bryn Swartz (@eaglescentral) September 16, 2014"

"

Cody Parkey has one walkoff fourth quarter FG in 2 regular season games. David Akers had zero walkoff fourth quarter FGs in 188 games.

— Bryn Swartz (@eaglescentral) September 16, 2014"

10. 2014 Draft Class Contributing Virtually Nothing

It's early. It's been just two games. But right now, the Eagles' 2014 draft class is contributing virtually nothing on the football field. That's certainly disappointing. Or maybe it's a testament to this team's great depth.

First-round pick Marcus Smith hasn't been able to get on the field at outside linebacker. He was active in Week 1 but played zero snaps and was a healthy inactive in Week 2. The Eagles knew he was a project when they picked him, however, so nobody expects him to be a Pro Bowler right now.

Second-round pick Jordan Matthews was as hyped as any Eagles prospect in recent memory during OTAs in the spring, but he's struggled, to say the least, as a rookie. He's caught just three balls and has major issues with drops. 

The list goes on. Third-round receiver Josh Huff hasn't yet seen the field with a shoulder injury. Fourth-round defensive back Jaylen Watkins has played zero snaps. The same applies for fifth-round defensive end Taylor Hart. Fifth-round safety Ed Reynolds is on the practice squad. Only seventh-round defensive tackle Beau Allen has earned some playing time.

It's still early, and there's no reason to panic. But you'd certainly like to see these guys step it up in the next few weeks, especially Smith and Matthews. 

"

Snaps played this season by Eagles draft picks: Smith 0. Matthews 92. Huff 0. Watkins 0. Hart 0. Reynolds 0. Allen 29.

— Bryn Swartz (@eaglescentral) September 18, 2014"