After an incredibly frustrating Thursday night football loss, the Eagles look to kick off the much easier stretch of their schedule by stealing a win from the Las Vegas Raiders in the death star. The Raiders team is an enigma in itself, as nobody really knows how great or average this team is, but they’re hardly a team to overlook as they have some pretty strong wins under their belt. The Eagles have a chance to put themselves back in playoff contention over the next few weeks, and for all intents and purposes, this game is a must-win.
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts looked terrible last Thursday. That’s really the only way to put it. Yes, Sirriani didn’t put him in a great position play calling wise, and yes, the Bucs pass rush is one that makes even veterans fearful. However, that hardly discredits Jalen’s inconsistent accuracy, incredibly lacking field vision, and slow decision making. Underthrows, missed reads, and poor pocket presence have all become trends at this point, and it’s becoming a major reason why this offense is so inconsistent. Unlike many, I won’t label Jalen as a lost cause just yet, because we’ve seen QBs improve in the areas he struggles. However, the coaching staff better be hammering home that these habits are unacceptable with Jalen, or it’s very possible that his future isn’t as the Eagles starting QB.
Derek Carr started off the season incredibly well, putting himself in the early MVP conversation in weeks 1-3. He cooled off for a bit after that, as many expected. However, He regained his early form this past week against a strong Broncos defense, and that’s with one of the best offensive minds in Jon Gruden no longer calling his plays. You can’t underestimate Carr, as he’s been one of the most underrated players in the NFL since he entered the league. I expect him to continue lighting things up in the coming weeks, and the Eagles should do everything they can to prevent him from getting hot. Point Raiders.
Running Back
This segment is getting extremely annoying to write every week. Miles Sanders is an awesome back, and so is Kenneth Gainwell. We understand this. The coaching staff does not. Until we see these two backs getting the usage they deserve, it’s hard to definitely call them a game-changing group.
The Raiders have a very nice 1-2 punch of running backs that they actually know how to use. Josh Jacobs is an awesome all-around back with bruising capability, and while he probably isn’t as good as how he was rated his rookie season, Jacobs certainly has the skills to be a three-down back. However, in what has proven to be a really nice move for this Raiders RB core, Kenyan Drake was signed by Vegas this off-season. Drake had an up-and-down tenure in Arizona, where at one point it seemed he would be a full-time 3 down back, but tapered off in 2020. With the raiders, he’s proven to be a great 1b option when Jacobs needs to rest, and he even has the receiving upside Jacobs doesn’t possess. The combination of speed and power makes this a very strong group for the raiders, and due to that and the Eagle’s usage problems, this point goes to Vegas.
Offensive Line
The Eagles O-line is good. Really Good. Even without our top 2 guards and starting RT, this line found a way to match up quite well with the loaded Buccaneers pass rush. With Lane Johnson finally back, it’s possible we see Jordan Mailata back at his natural LT position and Driscoll shifted back inside Landon Dickerson’s rapid improvement at guard, has helped this line solidify itself as one of the best top to bottom units in the NFL. What’s even crazier is that even with 2 backups playing, we still have some of the best line depth in the league. This line may face some problems against a surprisingly strong Raiders pass-rush, but with both starting tackles back, maintaining a strong pocket is the least of this team’s concerns.
The Raiders offensive line is a pretty major weakness for this offense. The best player on this offensive line is Left Tackle Kolton Miller, who is currently listed as questionable for Sunday. Even assuming Miller plays, this line is one of the worst units in the NFL. At right tackle is Brandon Parker, who’s been nothing short of dreadful in the time he’s played so far this year. The only reason Parker is even starting is because of how much 1st round pick Alex Leatherwood has been struggling. Leatherwood now starts at guard, where he’s been just as bad. Another truly terrible starter is Center Andre James, who’s been just another problem for this cushy interior. John Simpson is probably the best of the 3 interior linemen, and he’s simply a bad starter. This line, aside from Kolton Miller, is one made up of 4 weak links. If Kolton plays this line is terrible. If he doesn’t it’s historically bad. Point Eagles.
Wide Receivers
Devonta Smith, week in and week out, terrorizes corners on tape. He’s almost always open and his route running is truly top echelon as a rookie. The only problem with Smith, and by extension the rest of this receiver core, is the fact they can’t get the ball thrown to them consistently. Smith is often being missed, even when open. Quez Watkins is one of the most efficient receivers in the league, but Hurts’ anticipation woes have hurt him majorly as a deep threat. The same can be said for Jalen Reagor, who while inconsistent, gets open deep surprisingly often. This unit is one that will be unlocked sooner or later, either with Hurts’ progression or another Quarterback.
The Raiders wide receiver core isn’t one with a true WR1 per se, but it certainly doesn’t lack playmakers. Hunter Renfrow is making a case for one of the best route running wideouts in the league, and his separation ability and shiftiness are unparalleled when it comes to the short/intermediate passing game. Sophomore Henry Ruggs complements Renfrow perfectly, as he competes as one of the fastest and most explosive deep threats in the NFL. Bryan Edwards has proven to be an extremely well-rounded wideout who’s flourished in crunch time, and is just another playmaker you have to be worried about with the diversity of skill sets in this group. These wide receiver cores match up surprisingly well personnel wise, but because of production, this point goes to the Raiders.
Tight Ends
With the trade of Philly legend and super-bowl hero Zach Ertz to Arizona, Dallas Goedert is left as the lone TE1 in this offense. Finally, Dallas will get to prove why he is regarded by teammates and coaches as one of the most dynamic and talented TEs in the NFL. The TE2 behind Goedert seems to be UDFA Jack Stoll for the moment, but that will probably only be the case until camp standout Tyree Jackson returns to the active roster. While we haven’t necessarily seen the production yet, my expectations are sky-high for Goedert and this TE group.
Darren Waller is possibly the most Dynamic receiving TE in the NFL. Waller at 6’6 256 is built like a prototypical massive body TE, but with the additional bonus of having the speed and route-running ability of a wideout. When Waller gets going, he’s truly the closest thing to unstoppable defenses will see in the NFL. Obviously, I believe in Goedert, but when matching up with a proven monster like Waller, this point has to go Raiders.
Defensive Line
While the Eagles defensive line didn’t have a great statistical day against the Buccaneers, that was sort of expected. The Eagles line is still the anchor of the defense, and has a really great starting 4. Josh Sweat continues to live up to his contract, with great pressure numbers almost every game. Javon Hargrave continues to be absolutely dominant at DT, and while he didn’t record a sack week 6, he’s still posting ungodly pass-rush win rate numbers, especially because he’s attracting nearly constant double teams. Fletcher Cox isn’t an all-pro player anymore, but he’s still playing like an OK starter. Derek Barnett has really calmed down with the penalties, and playing at a more than respectable level over the past few weeks. The depth isn’t as strong without BG in the rotation, but there’s still some value in guys like Patrick Johnson, Hassan Ridgeway, and Milton Williams.
Coming in to this year, this Raiders pass-rush was projected among the worst in the entire NFL. However, that couldn’t be further from what’s happened so far this year. The main reason for the Raider’s line being so unexpectedly dominant this year has been 11defensive end Maxx Crosby, who’s currently having an absolutely dominant season. Crosby leads the league in pressures, QB Hits, Hurries, and pass rush win rate. The only reason he’s not in conversation with guys like Miles Garrett is because he “only” has 5 sacks, but statistically, it’s evident he’s one of the best edge rushers in the NFL. On the other side, both Yannick Ngakoue and Carl Nassib are having a major impact when on the field. The Raiders EDGE position is one of the best units in the NFL, but the interior is a bit soft. Quinton Jefferson is an OK starter at DT, but nothing really special. Jonathan Hankins is in the same boat, if not a little worse than Jefferson. If there’s anywhere to attack this line, it’s on the interior. These two units are closer than most realize, mostly due to the underrated production of the Raiders Edge unit. I’ll give this point a tie.
Linebacker
Yeah, Yeah, Eagles LB core is straight-up bad. However, I’ve become more and more intrigued by sophomore Davion Taylor with every snap he’s played. Taylor was drafted as a hyper-raw but hyper-athletic project, and he’s been flying around the field in both the run game and pass protection when he’s gotten chances. Jonathan Gannon noted Taylor has the skillset to be a 3 down LB in the NFL, and I think we see him develop into that role sooner rather than later. The sooner the better, though, as Singleton and Eric Wilson aren’t cutting it out there at the moment.
The Raiders LB core has a few solid vets in Denzel Perryman and KJ Wright, both of whom have been consistently good so far this season. The depth isn’t really there, but those two top the Eagles group by themselves. Point Raiders.
Cornerback
The Eagles, for the first time in what seems like forever, have 3 more than capable starting corners. This is reflected by the stats, as the trio of Darius Slay, Steven Nelson, and Avonte Maddox are all rated in the top 25 of CBs by PFF. Slay has been nothing short of lockdown, allowing virtually nothing against some of the best wideouts in the whole NFL. Nelson has been an above-average CB2, who’s hardly let up much either. The biggest surprise on this unit has been Avonte Maddox, who’s playing some of the best football of his life now that he’s back in the slot. This group is strong; surprisingly so.
The Raiders CB core should be the weakness of this defense, but it’s surprisingly stout. With young corners Trevon Mullen and Damon Arnette both on IR, the current CB group is led by Casey Hayward. Heyward has been really good so far this year, but he was never really the question of this unit. Behind Hayward at CB2 is rookie Nate Hobbs, who’s exceeded expectations by a mile, being rated the highest rookie defensive back in the NFL during the time he’s played. Recently-Signed CB3 Desmond Trufant is where the worries begin with this unit, as he’s not a player you want on the field in 2021. It’s pretty impressive how well-off this unit is with 2 presumed starters on IR, but the Eagles unit still takes the point here.
Safety
The Eagles safety group is led by vet Rodney Mcleod, who’s been a criminally underrated piece on this Eagles D since returning from injury. Ant Harris has been playing well next to him, and Marcus Epps has been solid in rotation and relief. This is a very solid safety unit overall.
The Raiders safety room is one they invested many high draft picks on recently, and it’s paying early returns for this secondary. 2019 first round pick Jonathan Abram has been very good as the starting strong safety, but the real difference makers here are rookies Trevon Moehrig and Tyree Gillepsie. Moehrig was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, and was widely regarded as one of the steals of the whole draft. He’s been a playmaker so far this season, and truly transformed this Raiders secondary from a complete weakness to a surprisingly underrated group. Both of these safety groups are good, with one favoring a veteran presence and one a less proven young one, but I think the difference in production isn’t enough to push a ruling either way, Tie.
Conclusion
In overall position group points, the Bucs outscore the Eagles 4-7 (Two ties). I think that the Raiders recent organizational drama has overshadowed how well-rounded and talented this squad truly is. They really are average to great at almost every position on offense and defense. The D isn’t impenetrable, but for the Eagles to put up points, it’s going to require a strong showing on the ground and in the air. If there’s one weakness the Eagles NEED to exploit to win Sunday, it’s the Raiders O-line. This group is truly hot garbage, and if the birds can pressure and sack Derek Carr relentlessly, it’s possible this game turns out to be something closer to an Eagles blowout. These two teams match up well, and this game could go either way, but I think Hargrave, Cox, Sweat, and Barnett dominate upfront to secure an Eagles victory.
Prediction: 31-21 Eagles
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Noah Berger is a featured writer at The Birds Blitz. For more from Noah, check out his archive and read through our Eagles articles for the latest news about the Birds.
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