These top plays are supposed to be more positive, but there tends to not be a ton to smile about when the best plays of the game come when the game is already lost. As always, there is good to be gleaned from even the worst day at the office (if you ignore the glaring flaws on both sides of the ball).
Almost Plays
Yannick Ngakoue Wrecked Shop
I should clarify that this isn’t me saying that Ngakoue (in-gah-koo-eyh) was a player for the Eagles that almost had a couple of good plays. Rather, he’s a very potent player that was almost an Eagle a couple of offseasons ago. I recall him posting pictures of Reggie White on his Instagram story in the 2020 offseason. That’s not to say that he would have saved our season, but having a then-25-year-old pro bowl talent would’ve had fans foaming at the mouths, especially with Brandon Graham’s injury this year. Now, Ngakoue is abusing offensive lines opposite Maxx Crosby, and Eagles fans are left to wonder what could’ve been.
Hurts Scramble
Arguably Hurts’ best trait is his elusiveness. His ability to scramble got him out of multiple sticky situations and prevented a loss of yardage. On this particular play, he tucked it himself and ran up the gut for a big gain. Unfortunately, the play was called back due to a facemask on Left Tackle Jordan Mailata.
Group Plays
WE RAN THE BALL
Last week, Eagles fans were cheering a four-yard run. This week, Sirianni was fully committed to the run on the first drive, which eventually led to a touchdown on a swing pass (spoilers). Sanders unfortunately got injured in the first quarter, and Sirianni reverted back into his scheme from previous weeks, but it was nice while it lasted, and is hopefully a representation of a more balanced attack in future weeks.
Maddox Red Zone Interception
This was actually the third or fourth-best play of the game, but it wouldn’t have happened without the interior pressure from the Eagles’ defensive line. Pass defense has been a strength of the Eagles over the past five weeks. That could be because any team with a good running back can run all over the Eagles, but Maddox catching this pass saved the Eagles a lot of headaches. For a while, it was even Carr’s only incompletion of the game. The Raiders QB finished the game 31-34.
Individual Plays
Slot God Maddox
I’m going to chalk this up as an effort play by Maddox. Down 17, keeping Renfrow out of the end zone was a matter of effort. One could argue that this play was pointless, as the Raiders scored on the next play, but Maddox was left alone on an island against Vegas’ #1 receiver with Waller out.
Goedert 4th down conversion
This is one of two plays where Hurts connected with Goedert to set up a scoring opportunity in enemy territory. This situation unfortunately ended with a Hurts fumble that killed a promising drive, but, if I may be positive for a moment, Hurts delivering this ball to Goedert on a 4th and long shows a potential level of clutchness that can grow stronger as Hurts improves. The only problem is… Hurts actually has to improve.
Goedert 25-yard Catch
This Goedert catch had the positive side effect of setting up a Boston Scott touchdown late in the game. The game was sadly out of hand at this point, but it was nice to see Goedert getting receptions on National Tight End Day (which announcers across the league no doubt mentioned ad nauseam). If nothing else, the catch got the Eagles in field goal range.
Boston TD Party
I feel like I watch the same thing every week. Go down two to three scores every week, score a garbage-time touchdown to trick you into thinking they’re competitive, then cherry-pick the good and hope the coaching staff sees the same positive patterns that appear late game. If nothing else, the team is consistent in this regard. With Sanders injured and Gainwell scoring a touchdown earlier in the game, Scott was the lucky recipient of the garbage time run. Wait, this was supposed to be positive, right?
Jalen “Minute Rice” Reagor
Reagor had a quiet stat line, for the most part, today, being held to only one reception for seventeen yards in garbage time. It’s important to note, however, that said reception was a touchdown where he mossed three defenders. It was cool to see in real-time. I couldn’t believe it wasn’t picked off by one of the three defenders that were draped over his shoulder. I’d say that the play signified hope for the future, but I’ve done that song and dance before (sorry if I’m becoming more negative, watching the Eagles swing at windmills every week hasn’t been good for my mental).
Gainwell Swings For the Fences
Not being overly reliant on the RPO? Taking advantage of the middle of the field and getting the tight ends involved? Carving up a defense like Thanksgiving turkey? Watching the Eagles offense this year, I didn’t think any of this was legal, so imagine how if telt to watch Nick Sirianni stick to his word and get his stars more involved. Sirianni did use the RPO in the end zone, but the issue was never the design. The problem was his over-reliance on something that only worked in spurts.
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Dylan Patrowicz is a featured writer at The Birds Blitz. For more from Dylan, check out his archive and read through our Eagles articles for the latest news about the Birds.
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