Grayson’s Grades: Eagles at WFT

The Philadelphia Eagles outscored the Washington Football Team 13-0 in the second half to win 20-16. It was the second time the Eagles beat Washington in less than two weeks.

This victory guarantees a winning season and means the Eagles could clinch a playoff spot before taking on the Cowboys next week. After starting the year 2-5, the Eagles have won seven of their last nine games.

The offense was able to move the ball early but was unable to finish some of those drives with points. The defense meanwhile buckled down and shutout Washington in the second half after giving up 16 points in the first half.

One of the biggest problems facing this team right now deals with slow starts. They are getting behind early and have been able to come from behind and ultimately win. However, that is not something any team can do if it intends to win in the postseason.

The Eagles are knocking on the door of the playoffs just one year after winning four games. They picked up a big win on the road and as a result have another solid report card to hang on the refrigerator.

Here is the latest edition of Grayson's Grades:

A

Jalen Hurts - Hurts appeared to be somewhat hampered by his sore ankle the last few weeks. He looked to be more mobile in this game but still not 100 percent. That escape ability helps him extend plays and ultimately move the ball down the field. Washington stacked the box looking to take the run away from the Eagles so Hurts had to throw more down the field and was successful doing that. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 214 yards. He also carried the ball seven times for 44 yards.

Nick Sirianni - Sirianni must fix the slow starts by his offense. Other than that, he really has brought this team a long way. At the beginning of the season this was a team that lacked an identity and committed way too many penalties. Now it has the top rushing offense in the league, the team never feels out of a game and the defense is suffocating opponents in the second half.

Boston Scott - Scott had to carry most of the rushing load due to injuries to Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard. Sanders was inactive while Howard did play. Scott used his speed and quickness to hit some holes and scored two big touchdowns on fourth and goal. He was also a factor in the passing game. Scott carried the ball 14 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 39 yards.

Dallas Goedert - Goedert is emerging as one of the best tight ends in the league. He is a great receiver and great blocker. He gets open, makes big catches and also helps to open holes for the Eagles running backs. Goedert caught six passes for 71 yards.

Josh Sweat - Sweat had a high motor off the edge multiple times in this game. He recorded 1.5 sacks and created pressure. When he couldn't get to the quarterback he managed to tip a couple of passes and interrupt those plays. Sweat is helping to give the Eagles some of what they miss with Brandon Graham out for the season.

Fletcher Cox - Cox continues to play well late in the season. He helped to disrupt some passing plays and also combined to help stuff the run in the second half. They only allowed 26 rush yards in that half. Cox also combined with Josh Sweat for a sack. He has had a very strong second half of the season. He finished with four tackles including half of a sack and one quarterback hit.

Rodney McLeod - McLeod made the single biggest play of the game. His diving interception secured the win. There were less than 30 seconds left in the game with Washington driving and looking for the game-winning touchdown. McLeod dove in the endzone and managed to get his arms under the ball for the interception. He suffered a torn ACL a little over a year ago and has looked more and more like his old self as the season progressed. McLeod recorded five tackles with one interception and one pass successfully defended.

T.J. Edwards - Edwards has really played well since earning more playing time in the middle of the season. He helps in pass coverage and has been really good at helping to stuff the run. Edwards led the team with 13 tackles in this one.

Alex Singleton - Singleton does a good job of playing horizontally. That means he reads and attacks well. His biggest weakness in my opinion has been in pass coverage. Singleton has done better with that in the second half of the season. The big key he provided in this one was attacking the run plays off the edge. Singleton finished second on the team with eight tackles and had one quarterback hit.

Offensive Line - The offensive line deserves a lot of credit. The rushing stats don't jump out as big and bold as they have been in the past. But Washington loaded the box trying to take that away from the Eagles and they still rushed for 118 yards without their top Running Back Miles Sanders who was injured. The line also did a pretty good job of pass-blocking so Jalen Hurts could pass for more than 200 yards. Credit Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Nate Herbig and Lane Johnson with another good game.

B

DeVonta Smith - Smith came into this game needing 92 yards to set the rookie record for receiving yards. He finished short of that but will have a chance to break it next week. Smith made several catches early in this game. He does a great job of getting open and runs really crisp routes. Smith caught three passes for 54 yards.

Jonathan Gannon - Gannon's defense had a tough time stopping Washington in the first half allowing 16 points. But they made some adjustments and shutout Washington in the second half. Gannon's defense is definitely playing much better in the second half of the season. It might be no coincidence that the Eagles have not seen nearly the same level of quarterback in the second half of the season as they did in the first. Credit Gannon with not playing so passive with his coverage and also getting more production out of his pass rush.

Avonte Maddox - Maddox continues to settle into the Nickel Corner role well. I like him in that position. His biggest negative of the day was committing a pass interference penalty in the second half. Other than that, he had four tackles and one pass successfully defended.

C

Jordan Howard - Howard clearly did not have the same kind of powerful runs that he displayed prior to his stinger last week. He did not handle as much of the workload with Miles Sanders out which also shows he is still recovering from that stinger. Howard is a very effective powerful runner when healthy. He carried the ball 11 times for 26 yards.

D

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F

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