Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Good stuff from some of the young guys.
The Eagles are somehow going into the bye week with a 5-4 record after holding on against the Bears yesterday. While there is plenty to be said about the team’s weaknesses heading into the second act of the season, there should be some excitement in the way rookies are playing.
Andre Dillard: A
Khalil Mack will make short work of most All-Pros and yet Andre Dillard held his ground against the former Defensive Player of the Year BEAUTIFULLY. Dillard looked good consistently against Mack and the rest of the Bears’ talented rushers in the passing game, rarely allowing pressure. On top of that, Dillard pushed the Bears around in the running game and paved the way for a productive day on the ground for the Eagles.
The Eagles quick passing game was crucial in limiting the Bears pass rush and was no doubt a help to Dillard. The fact that we didn’t hear Dillard’s name all game is a great mark for him.
Andre Dillard had a good game against the #Bears defensive line. Didn’t hear his name one time.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/3XtZ0Hik9r
— DIE-HARD Fans (@Eaglesfans9) November 4, 2019
Dillard has looked better each week and he should probably start the rest of the season with Jason Peters’ health always a question.
[BLG Note: PFF has Dillard as the Eagles’ fifth highest graded player on offense against Chicago. He was only behind Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Zach Ertz, and Carson Wentz.]
Miles Sanders: A
After a game against the Bills where Miles Sanders made big flashes on only a few touches, the rookie running back followed it up with a performance that can only be described as “workman-like.”
Sanders rushed 10 times for a solid 42 yards but the stat line only tells half the story. Sanders rushed hard and downhill all day against a tough Bears front. He looked decisive and aggressive attacking downhill; breaking tackles and making guys miss close to the line of scrimmage. He has really put it together as a runner. Between last week’s explosiveness and this week’s consistency, Sanders should continue to be fed the ball in the running game.
Sanders most important plays came as a pass catcher, unsurprisingly.
Miles Sanders icy with that chain on. pic.twitter.com/4trofVGfKT
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) November 3, 2019
Third down—FIRST DOWN!
— DIE-HARD Fans (@Eaglesfans9) November 3, 2019
Miles Sanders is turning into a reliable weapon pic.twitter.com/ORAA1KUqDZ
He only caught three passes but two of them were first downs, one of them being critical to help seal the game.
Sanders has been extremely productive as a dual-threat running back this season and his numbers put him in excellent company.
300 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving first 9 games
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) November 4, 2019
last 30 years
Ricky Watters, 1992
Marshall Faulk, 1994
Edgerrin James, 1999
Jahvid Best, 2010
Le’Veon Bell, 2013
Kareem Hunt, 2017
Alvin Kamara, 2017
Saquon Barkley, 2018
Miles Sanders, 2019
The only thing stopping Sanders from being in the OROY conversation right now is Jordan Howard’s brilliance ahead of him and Darren Sproles inexplicably getting his snaps.
JJ Arcega-Whiteside: D
There is a Jewish saying “Mah nishtanah, halaylah hazeh mikol haleylot” or “Why is this night different from all other nights?”
Well … it’s not different!
Despite unsurprising ineptitude from the Eagles receiving group, JJ Arcega-Whiteside has not seen involvement in the passing game. Due to DeSean Jackson being held out of most of the game, Arcega-Whiteside actually took some snaps on offense but basically all of them were on running plays.
It’s frustrating because, honestly, how bad can it be to involve him? Mack Hollins is vastly “out-snapping” Arcega-Whiteside and yet both players had as many targets yesterday as you or me. There is really no harm in even sticking him out there instead of wasting time on Mack Hollins who is a known entity and a bad one at that. Add in the fact that Alshon Jeffery has been mediocre and Nelson Agholor not any better and it’s really curious as to why they won’t even try getting the new blood in there to maybe provide a spark.
Alas, maybe the bye week will make a difference but hoping he’ll see the ball against New England feels like a pipe dream.
TJ Edwards: B+
The Eagles smothered the Bears in the first half and TJ Edwards could be credited with a lot of that. Edwards looked great in run defense, including an impressive burst to the sideline to take down David Montgomery on a toss.
Edwards only plays in three linebacker looks, but consistently plays physical, downhill football. He has turned into a tone setter against the run. It’s going to be hard taking snaps away from him going forward.
Anthony Rush: B
The former practice squad defensive tackle had a solid outing yesterday against Chicago, working in as the number three defensive tackle and filling the stat sheet for the first time in his NFL career. Rush primarily got looks as a run defender where the 350 pounder more than held his own. He also got a notable pass rush snap where he seemingly pushed the guard back enough to force Mitch Trubisky off his spot and allow for Brandon Graham to take him down.
If yesterday was any indicator, Anthony Rush found a home on the Eagles defensive line.
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