Philadelphia Eagles: 7 Players Who Made the Biggest Contributions Week 15

With a win against the New York Jets in Week 15, the Philadelphia Eagles were able to resuscitate their rapidly fading playoff hopes.

The team executed a near flawless game plan, displaying the level of talent that most fans expected of them all season long. Better late than never.

The following Eagles played major roles in securing Week 15’s crucial victory.

Jason Babin, DE

It is safe to say that Jason Babin has been the Philadelphia Eagles’ most valuable acquisition from this past offseason.

Coming off a three-sack performance against the Miami Dolphins, Babin continued his dominance in Week 15 by sacking quarterback Mark Sanchez three more times. His 18 sacks this season leads the Eagles and puts him three shy of tying the franchise sack record set by none other than Reggie White.

At the pace he is currently on, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Babin use the last two games of the season to surpass White’s record.

LeSean McCoy, RB

If words do not succeed in describing LeSean McCoy’s importance to the Eagles, then perhaps records will. Shady’s three touchdowns on the ground against the New York Jets bumped his total up to 20, which is good enough to pass Steve Van Buren for the franchise’s single-season  touchdown record.

McCoy has cemented his status as a top-5 running back in the league, and his shiftiness coming out of the backfield is eerily reminiscent of the great Barry Sanders.

It is becoming more and more apparent that the offense of the Eagles hinges on the legs of LeSean McCoy.

Brent Celek, TE

With cornerback Darelle Revis shadowing DeSean Jackson for much of the game, Brent Celek was able to have his way with the rest of the Jets’ secondary.

His 156 receiving yards were the most he has seen all season, with his touchdown merely being an added bonus for fantasy owners. He would have been credited with another touchdown if not for a questionable out-of-bounds call by the refs.

Celek has been showing up more and more on the stat sheet as the season progresses, and that is largely due to the improved play of the offensive line. Finally, the Eagles are once again employing the services of their talented young tight end.

Jason Peters, LT

Speaking of improved offensive line play, it would not be fair to leave out a member of the Eagles’ big men up front. 

Jason Peters has been his usual dominant self this season, but truth be told, you could fill in this slide with any of the five offensive linemen for the Eagles, as they all have been playing exceptionally well of late.

Against the Jets, quarterback Michael Vick had all day to find his targets. And when his receivers were covered, he had the room to make plays with his legs. 

Thought of as a weakness in recent years, the offensive line has transformed into one of the elite lines in the league.

Philip Hunt, DE

If Philip Hunt’s name doesn’t sound familiar, fear not. For the majority of the season, the little-used defensive end has merely played the role of a situational pass rusher. 

Things were different against the New York Jets.

Not only did Hunt sack quarterback Mark Sanchez, but he also led the Eagles in tackles with six. He played the best football of his NFL career, and as such deserves more playing time moving forward.

Michael Vick, QB

Credit where credit is due.

I have not been the biggest supporter of Michael Vick this season, but after watching the game against the New York Jets, I was left thinking that maybe Vick can still revert back to 2010 form.

Completing all but seven of his 22 passes, Vick registered a touchdown through the air and another one on the ground. He did have an interception, but it was on a deep pass in the final seconds of the first half. 

If he can continue this level of play the rest of the regular season, the Eagles still have a chance of making the playoffs.

Casey Matthews, LB

Up until Week 15, linebacker Casey Matthews was having a relatively forgettable rookie season. 

That changed quickly against the New York Jets.

Throughout the game, Matthews was breaking up passes or making tackles (he ended up with five). He was a beautiful blur of hair racing all over the field.

It was by far his best game of the season, and it makes you wonder if perhaps things have finally started to slow down for the young man.