Zach Ertz Set Eagles Record for Catches in a Single Game

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz set a new franchise single-game record with his 15 receptions in Saturday's 27-24 loss to the Washington Redskins, per Eagles public relations manager Brett Strohsacker.

In addition to the 15 catches, Ertz finished the contest with 115 receiving yards and 18 targets, demolishing his previous career-best marks of six receptions, 86 yards and nine targets.

The breakout performance was rather surprising, as the second-year tight end recorded just five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown over the three previous games. He entered Saturday's contest with just 39 catches for 531 yards and three touchdowns on the season, having drawn a mere 62 targets through 14 appearances (4.4 per game).

With Saturday's loss eliminating Philadelphia from contention, the team may use a Week 17 matchup with the New York Giants as a tool for evaluating personnel. Such a scenario would likely lead to plenty more looks for the 24-year-old tight end, who figures to join rookie wide receiver Jordan Matthews as a key piece of the Eagles receiving corps for years to come.

The two youngsters may take on leading roles as soon as next season, given that veteran wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is slated to become a free agent.

Of course, with Maclin already sitting on a career-best 1,269 receiving yards through 15 games, Philadelphia may want to make room for all three players to feature prominently in the offense.