Titans vs. Eagles: Full Report Card Grades for Philadelphia
At times it was a sloppy game, but still, the Philadelphia Eagles won easily by a 43-24 score to improve to 8-3 on the season. The offense put up 464 yards, the defense forced two more turnovers, and the special teams units shone behind strong days from both Josh Huff and Cody Parkey.
After losing 10 home games in a row to close out the Andy Reid era, the Eagles have now flipped that number and won 10 straight.
"Eagles: Philadelphia extends home win streak to 10 games, 1 shy of matching club record (1991-93) (ESPN) http://t.co/dPAyThIeKH#Eagles
— Scott R. Pierson (@ESPNHQ) November 23, 2014"
It gives the Eagles their first-ever win against the Tennessee Titans (they were previously 0-4, and 0-3 under Andy Reid), and gives Philadelphia a clean sweep of the AFC South.
"vs JAX: 34-17 W at IND: 30-27 W at HOU: 31-21 W vs TEN: 43-21 W #Eagles sweep AFC South for the first time since division's 2002 inception.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 23, 2014 "
The Eagles have just four days to prepare for a Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, one that will have a vast impact on the NFC East race.
"McCoy on Dallas game: "it's a must-win type of game. I look forward to battles with Dallas. #Eagles #Cowboys
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) November 23, 2014"
For now, here are full report card grades for each of the Eagles’ positional units.
Quarterback
1 of 8
Again, Mark Sanchez’s numbers look significantly better than he played. He threw for 307 yards, his third such game with over 300 passing yards.
"Under Chip Kelly, Mark Sanchez has now thrown for 300 yards in three-straight games. Always fantasy relevant in this offense. #Eagles
— Adam Pfeifer (@aPfeiferFF) November 23, 2014 "
His 30 completions tied his personal best. But Sanchez threw just one touchdown, and his two interceptions give him multiple interceptions for the third time in the four games in which he’s seen action this season.
Sanchez did lead the Philadelphia Eagles to 36 points (seven came courtesy of a kick return touchdown), but still, that’s five field goals and two offensive touchdowns. When the quarterback leads the team on seven scoring possessions, there’s a pretty good chance the team will win the game, and such was the case today.
The problem is that Sanchez continues to turn the ball over at way too high of a frequency. The Eagles really have no choice but to ride with him this season, but interceptions like today can’t happen in the postseason.
Grade: C+
Running Backs
2 of 8
For maybe the first time this season, LeSean McCoy looked like the All-Pro back who led the National Football League in rushing in 2013. McCoy torched the Tennessee Titans for 130 yards and a touchdown, doing so on just 21 carries.
"Over the last seven weeks, LeSean McCoy is averaging 95 yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) November 23, 2014 "
His 53-yard burst down the left sideline was a thing of beauty, with McCoy outracing the defender to the outside.
Darren Sproles carried six times for 25 yards, picking up another rushing touchdown. He looked pretty elusive Sunday, earning the admiration of one of Philadelphia’s all-time great backs.
"Darren Sproles just refuses to be tackled by one person
— Brian Westbrook (@36westbrook) November 23, 2014"
Sproles also caught three passes for 14 yards.
Chris Polk was a non-factor, rushing just seven times for five yards, although he did catch one pass for 15 yards.
Grade: A
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
3 of 8
Rookie second-round receiver Jordan Matthews continued his hot streak, hauling in six more catches for 77 yards. That reception total tied for the team lead, and the yardage total topped the team.
"Can see Jordan Matthews growing as a player. Breaks more tackles, makes more contested catches than 1st half of season. 5/53 so far today.
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) November 23, 2014"
Jeremy Maclin is looking more like the No. 2 option in this offense, catching six passes for 59 yards. He’s easily going to shatter his previous bests in all statistics.
"Jeremy Maclin has a career high in receiving yards and he's bearing down on 1,000.
— Ryan Messick (@Ryan_Messick) November 23, 2014"
Maclin’s best play was a sideline catch he made right before halftime, reminiscent of the game-winner he had against Denver in 2009.
"Jeremy Maclin with another unbelievable sideline reception to get the #Eagles in field goal position
— LincolnFinatic (@LincolnFinatic) November 23, 2014"
Riley Cooper turned in a solid effort, picking up 49 yards on three catches. Josh Huff didn’t produce as a receiver, but he was dynamic as a returner.
It was perhaps the finest all-around performance by the tight ends, with Brent Celek catching five passes for 48 yards, Zach Ertz totaling four grabs for 30 yards and third-stringer James Casey snaring a touchdown reception on an out route.
Grade: A-
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Offensive Line
4 of 8
The Philadelphia Eagles offensive line held up pretty well Sunday. The unit paved the way for over 460 total yards, with Mark Sanchez accumulating over 300 in the air and LeSean McCoy averaging six-plus yards per carry.
Mark Sanchez was sacked just twice, once by Pro Bowl lineman Jurrell Casey and once by 3-4 outside linebacker Derrick Morgan. Considering it was the eighth different unit the Eagles have put forth this season, that’s a pretty good job.
McCoy was outspoken in praising the offensive line afterwards, and they deserved it for both their run and pass blocking.
"Asked Eagles RB LeSean McCoy how he felt about his 130-yard game. Said: "It's all about the offensive line. They were great."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) November 23, 2014"
The offensive line was called for a few penalties, with Jason Peters committing a false start and Lane Johnson getting called for unnecessary roughness, but they didn’t seem to factor in the game’s outcome.
Grade: A-
Defensive Line
5 of 8
The Philadelphia Eagles had another strong performance from their front seven, picking up five more sacks and seven tackles for a loss.
Fletcher Cox burst through the line for a sack, initially lining up at right defensive end but sliding in through the A-gap to get to quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Cox also batted a pass down at the line of scrimmage (although it was then caught by center Brian Schwenke).
Nose tackle Bennie Logan forced a fumble on a Bishop Sankey run. Vinny Curry had a pair of sacks, although both were negated by penalties. In all, the defensive line held Tennessee to just 52 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 19 carries.
Grade: A
Linebackers
6 of 8
The dominance from the Philadelphia Eagles’ linebackers continued, and it’s led by the play of Connor Barwin and Trent Cole.
Barwin picked up two sacks, giving him 12.5 for the year. He pressured Zach Mettenberger on the game’s second play, forcing an incompletion, and then sacked him on the third play. Unbelievably, all of those sacks have come in the past eight weeks.
"It looks like Connor Barwin is 2nd in NFL with 12.5 sacks behind Justin Houston (13). #Eagles #Barwinning
— John Clark CSN (@JClarkCSN) November 23, 2014"
Barwin also forced a fumble on the second sack.
Veteran pass-rusher Cole picked up a pair of sacks himself, making Mettenberger just another of the many quarterbacks he’s taken down. Cole also added two quarterback hits.
"Zach Mettenberger becomes the 50th quarterback to be taken down by #Eagles LB Trent Cole
— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) November 23, 2014"
Inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks led the team with seven tackles, one of those for a loss. He also forced a fumble on the deflected reception to center Brian Schwenke.
Grade: A
Secondary
7 of 8
It wasn’t a particularly strong day for the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive backfield, although many of those yards came on two busted plays. Delanie Walker had a 68-yarder, and Justin Hunter had a freak catch on a 40-yard touchdown that was actually deflected off of safety Malcolm Jenkins.
"Wow. Malcolm Jenkins tips the ball back right into Justin Hunter's hands. That's an incompletion otherwise.
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) November 23, 2014"
In all, Jenkins seemed to have a strong day in coverage. He knocked down a pass on the first play of the game and was tight in coverage on the second series, which resulted in another incompletion. Jenkins led all defensive backs with five tackles.
The cornerbacks were respectable, although Zach Mettenberger put up a lot of yards. In fact, the 345 he threw for were the most ever by a rookie against the Eagles.
But considering how many pass attempts Mettenberger threw to the receivers, the Eagles held up well. Justin Hunter had just four catches on 10 targets. Unbelievably, Kendall Wright had just one for 28 yards, and nickel corner Brandon Boykin came up with his first interception of the season.
Grade: B-
Special Teams
8 of 8
This 2014 Philadelphia Eagles’ special teams unit is something pretty special, and they didn’t waste any time making their mark on today’s game.
Rookie returner Josh Huff took the opening kickoff 107 yards for a touchdown, marking the longest score in franchise history. Darren Sproles added 50 yards on six punt returns, and rookie kicker Cody Parkey converted five of his six field-goal attempts.
"END OF 1st QTR: Josh Huff makes history, #SproleTrain speeds into the end zone and #LOVEParkey continues his streak. pic.twitter.com/eVCDyinhBH
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 23, 2014"
Parkey did miss from 49 yards, but he’s been pretty effective from 50-plus this season.
"Cody Parkey makes history with his 4th 50+ yard field goal of the season, the most in franchise history
— EaglesNation (8-3) (@PHLEaglesNation) November 23, 2014"
Donnie Jones punted three times for an average of 45.0 yards per kick.
Grade: A
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