10 Things We Learned About the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3

Against all odds, the Philadelphia Eagles just keep finding ways to win. They’ve trailed by at least 10 points in all three games this year. They’ve been losing or tied in all three fourth quarters. They’ve had an All-Pro running back struggle to find holes, an offensive line that is quickly turning into the second-string offensive line and a defense that ranks 27th in scoring.

Give credit to Chip Kelly’s brilliant offensive mind, as Kelly’s bunch has managed to score at least 30 points in all three games this season.

Their most recent victory will be etched in the minds of their fanbase for a long time, as it featured a slew of storylines: Quarterback Nick Foles’ heroic performance through pain, Jason Peters initiating an all-out brawl, yet another defensive stand to win the game and, oh yeah, the return of that guy: DeSean Jackson.

Below I count down 10 things we learned about the still-undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. 

1. After a Rocky-like performance, Nick Foles is a true MVP candidate.

Nick Foles was knocked down multiple times, including a cheap shot by a Washington Redskins defensive end that somehow wasn’t ruled an illegal hit by the NFL. The Eagles quarterback was battered behind an offensive line that lost left tackle Jason Peters to ejection and center Jason Kelce to a sports hernia.

But in the midst of it all, Foles stood tall, leading the Eagles to 37 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 325 passing yards and three touchdowns, and most importantly, he persevered despite playing through obvious pain.

It was a Rocky-like performance for a city that loves its tough guys, and it vaulted the Eagles into the discussion of most dangerous team in the NFL. With three game-winning drives in the fourth quarter, Foles is proving that 2013 was no fluke. He’s a legitimate MVP candidate.

2. Jeremy Maclin is a true No. 1 option in Chip Kelly’s offense.

He might be the most overcriticized athlete in Philadelphia sports, but without Jeremy Maclin on Sunday, the Eagles wouldn’t have come close to winning.

The 2009 first-round draft pick caught eight passes for 154 yards and a go-ahead 27-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. This came two plays after he displayed terrific awareness near the sideline to haul in a 17-yard reception on third down to extend the drive.

Was it not for a block in the back on Jason Kelce nullifying an 80-yard touchdown, Maclin would have finished the day with 184 yards and two scores. As it is, he’s caught 16 balls for 296 yards and three touchdowns, putting him on pace for 1,579 yards this season. I’d say that’s worthy of a five-year extension this offseason.

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NFL record for most rec yards by a player following a year in which he had zero is '11 Victor Cruz (1,536). Jeremy Maclin on pace for 1,579.

— Cody Swartz (@cbswartz5) September 23, 2014"

3. Jordan Matthews gives the Eagles a solid one-two punch at wide receiver.

I predicted Jordan Matthews would turn in his breakout game in Week 3. That second-round rookie out of Vanderbilt came through with a memorable performance. Matthews grabbed eight balls, the most by an Eagles rookie since Keith Jackson’s 10 catches in 1988.

He also caught two first-half touchdowns. Moving forward, it makes sense that a portion of Riley Cooper’s targets will go to Matthews. Don’t be surprised if Matthews challenges Maclin and Zach Ertz as the Eagles’ go-to guy in crunch time by the end of the 2014 season.

4. Second-string offensive line can prevent sacks. Just don’t expect a dominant rushing attack.

What has flown under the radar regarding the Eagles' offensive line is its strength as a unit in pass blocking. For the second straight game, Nick Foles wasn’t sacked once.

He did take a major beating—although the biggest hit (by defensive end Chris Baker) wasn’t the fault of the offensive line—and it’s obvious that the running game won’t be the same without Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce. And thankfully the Eagles’ patchwork offensive line won’t face star pass-rushers Aldon Smith in Week 4 or Chris Long in Week 5.

5. You can expect anyone on this offensive line to suit up at any position (minus the rock at left tackle).

According to Philly.com's Les Bowen, when asked about the Eagles' offensive line for this week, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said that the team will send out five guys.

That’s about all the Eagles know right now. My expectation for the line is as follows: left tackle Jason Peters, left guard Matt Tobin, center David Molk, right guard Dennis Kelly and right tackle Todd Herremans.

Since injuries are killing the Eagles’ offensive line, versatility becomes a key factor. Tobin, Kelly and Herremans can play either guard or tackle. Molk can play any of the interior three positions. And veteran Wade Smith, currently the top backup on the line, can play any of the five positions if needed.

6. The defense is playing the way we expected it to play in 2013.

The Eagles definitely overachieved on defense during the 2013 season. Billy Davis led a bend-but-don’t-break squad that ranked 29th in the NFL in total yards but 17th in points. Throw in the third-highest amount of turnovers in the league, including two to win games in the final minute, and you can make a legitimate case that the Eagles had an average defense at worst.

That hasn’t been the case at all this year. Despite 10 returning starters and a big upgrade at one of the safety positions, the Eagles rank 27th in the NFL in scoring defense through the first three weeks.

They’re practically invisible in the pass rush, evoking memories of the horrific four-game slide without a sack in 2012. The only saving grace for this defense is a tendency to, once again, make the game-saving plays at the most opportune moments.

7. Cary Williams probably speaks more of the truth than we’d like to admit.

Cary Williams’ postgame comments about Chip Kelly's conditioning practices were inappropriate and ill-timed when you consider that the veteran cornerback was roasted on DeSean Jackson’s 81-yard touchdown reception.

However, his comments are also probably more true than we’d like to admit. As CBSSports.com's Will Brinson notes, Williams insists several of his teammates feel the same way about Chip Kelly’s practices. But as noted by Football Nation and Scout.com's Michael Quinn, former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed also indicated in Inside the NFL that Williams had an issue dating back to his days as Reed's teammate in Baltimore.

After a talk with Kelly on Tuesday, Williams apologized to his teammates for causing a distraction, per Philly.com's Jeff McLane. Let’s hope this is the last we hear about Cary Williams off the field.

8. Brandon Boykin just isn’t going to get his chance to start.

For reasons that continue to baffle the entire frustrated fanbase, the Eagles refuse to allow nickel corner Brandon Boykin an opportunity to start over either veteran Cary Williams or Bradley Fletcher. 

Defensive coordinator Billy Davis was blunt to Eagles’ reporters, per NJ.com's Eliot Shorr-Parks, saying the Eagles start their two best corners. The implication Boykin is not a top-two cornerback on this team is absurd.

Last year, he intercepted six passes, including two-game winners, despite playing in just 51 percent of defensive snaps. He rated as Pro Football Focus’ (subscription required) second-best cover corner and even collected 42 tackles in 44 attempts.

This year, he’s allowed just a 62.6 passer rating, but he’s played in a measly 32 percent of snaps, significantly fewer than last year. By this point, it’s become apparent that Boykin just isn’t going to get his chance, and that’s baffling to a fanbase who has watched Cary Williams (110.8 passer rating against in 2014) and Bradley Fletcher (nine completions allowed against Washington) struggle, to say the least.

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#Eagles fans are just going to have to accept it: Coaching staff does not think Boykin is good enough to play outside over Cary or Fletch

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) September 23, 2014"

9. Chris Polk could be the Eagles’ kick returner of the future.

Chris Polk was speculated to be close to getting cut during an offseason that saw him sidelined by a hamstring injury. He didn’t play in any of the four preseason games or the first two regular-season games. And he didn’t carry the ball once during Week 3, despite LeSean McCoy turning in a historically bad rushing performance.

Yet Polk found a way to contribute a new way—as a kick returner. Polk scored on a 102-yard kick return touchdown, the first by an Eagles player since Quintin Demps in 2008. Polk later added a 35-yard return, giving him 137 all-purpose yards on just two touches. Expect Polk to be the kick returner for the Eagles moving forward.

10. Special teams kick return coverage will be practically irrelevant this year.

Who needs special teams coverage when you have Cody Parkey as your kicker? The Eagles rookie ranks tied for second in the NFL with 14 touchbacks on kickoffs. He’s practically eliminated the opportunity for a big return, something that cost the Eagles quite a few times last season.

Add in Parkey’s second 50-yard field goal in three games, already more than Alex Henery had in his entire career, and you likely have the makings of this team’s kicker for the next few years.