Grayson’s Grades: Eagles Defeat Chiefs

It was billed as a Super Bowl rematch and while it did not play out exactly the same was as the Super Bowl, it did have the same result. The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs again, but this one much closer with a 20-17 final score.

The biggest sequence of events occurred in the second half with the Chiefs driving. Patrick Mahomes looked for Travis Kelce at the goal line. The pass hit off Kelce’s hands and bounced into the arms of Eagles Rookie Andrew Makuba. Not only did he get the pick, he returned it 41 yards. The Eagles took the ensuing possession down the field and ultimately scored on a tush push. It was a ten to 14 point swing.

The Eagles offense was not very explosive again. However, they did not turn it over and did gain some solid yardage on the ground and through the air.

It was another gutsy victory and this time on the road in a hostile environment. So how does the report card look? Here is the latest edition of Grayson’s Grades:

A

DeVonta Smith - Smith was a much bigger part of the offensive attack than he was last week. His biggest catch was on a blitz, Jalen Hurts just put it in the air and trusted Smith to adjust. He did shaking off the defender at the last second. That set the Eagles up at the five yard-line. Smith was the leading Eagles receiver catching four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Jalen Carter - This was essentially Jalen Carter's first game of the season after getting ejected before the start of the Cowboys game last week. Carter did what he usually does, draw a lot of attention from the opponent allowing a bunch of his teammates to create pressure. He wanted to make up to his teammates the huge mistake he made last week. Carter recorded two tackles with one of them going for a loss.

Andrew Makuba - Makuba is out to a great rookie season. He picked up his first career interception today after it deflected off Travis Kelce and into his arms. Makuba even tacked on a great return. Makuba also earned half a sack on Mahomes when he and Za'Darius Smith met at the Quarterback. Makuba finished the game with six tackles including half of a sack, an incredible loss, Makuba finished with six tackles, a half of a sack, one tackle for a loss, one pass successfully defended and one quarterback hit.

Jihaad Campbell - Campbell is a lot of fun to watch. He can be strong and tangle with offensive linemen. He can also line up on the outside and go after the quarterback. Campbell finished second on the team with seven tackles. He also recorded one quarterback hit.

Jake Elliott - Elliott was perfect on field goals and the Eagles definitely needed him to be. Elliott was 2-for-2 including a 58 yarder as time expired before halftime. That kick also tied the game at 10.

Vic Fangio - I like what Vic did to confuse Mahomes. He rarely blitzed in the Super Bowl, but flipped that script around and did blitz a lot more this time around. It has become fun to watch Fangio work his defense over. He likes to watch his young guys grow up as the season goes on and then open up the playbook when they are ready.

Saquon Barkley - Barkley had to grind out every yard he got in this game. He absorbed hits well and broke one free for a 15 yard touchdown run at the point. Barkley averaged four yards per carry. He finished with 22 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. He also added two catches for six yards.

Zack Baun - Baun was flying around the field and did a good job in coverage when asked. He seems to work very well with Jihaad Campbell. Baun was tied for third on the team with six tackles. He also had one quarterback hit.

Quinyon Mitchell - Mitchell looked good in coverage. Patrick Mahomes was not afraid to test Mitchell and he responded almost every time. Mitchell finished the game with three tackles.

B

Jalen Hurts - The best thing Hurts did again this week was protect the ball and avoid turning it over. I wish he would take a few more deep shots, but there is also something to be said for wearing down an opponent. The Eagles did that in this game. Hurts completed 15 of 22 passes for 101 yards. He also carried it nine times for 15 yards and a touchdown.

AJ Brown - I like how the Eagles got AJ Brown a target and reception early in this one. You have to have your best player involved, especially in big games like this one. He didn't break anything for a huge gain but got his hands on the ball. Brown caught five passes for 27 yards.

Nick Sirianni - Sirianni definitely did a good job of getting his guys to be focused on this year's Chiefs, not the ones that beat them in the Super Bowl three years ago. He did a good job of keeping the Jalen Carter situation in-house and managed within the confines of the locker room or team meeting rooms. Give Sirianni credit for letting Jake Elliott try a field goal from 58 yards out.

C

 Offensive Line - The offensive line definitely had the Chiefs defensive line to worry about. The Chiefs were mixing their looks and trying to confuse the Eagles. Overall, they did a good job of blocking it, but there were also a few times the pocket collapsed leaving Hurts with nowhere to go.

D

 None

F

None