Don’t look now, but the Eagles have an outside shot at the playoffs. With a cupcake closing schedule and two solid wins over the last three weeks, I’m starting to trick myself into thinking we can do this. The NFC isn’t as wide open as the AFC, but there are still a couple of wild cards hanging around .500. Everything’s in front of us, we just have to take it. Here are the top plays from a Week 11 matchup between the Eagles and Saints in Philadelphia.
Group Plays
Fletcher Cox Punch-Out
It was somewhat difficult finding this play. I had to go through the Eagles highlights on YouTube to find it, but I knew there was a forced fumble. Cox punched the ball out, and TJ Edwards recovered. Edwards didn’t need the recovered fumble to have a great day, he had two big plays regardless. This recovery of the fumble was but the icing on the proverbial cake. The video isn’t available on Twitter but is in the Eagles highlights on YouTube at 8:39.
Individual Plays
Jonathan Gannon Playcalling
It needs to be said. I know Eagles fans kill Jonathan Gannon for his soft zone coverage, and rightfully so, but this defense finally got pressure on an opposing quarterback, and the result was a proper blowout that would satisfy even the harshest skeptics. On top of that, an interception, a forced fumble, and multiple tackles for losses. Not bad for a defense that consistently surrenders 70%+ completion.
Jake Elliott: Mr. Perfect
Ah, consistency. Thankfully, Elliott has discovered his 2017-19 form for this season, missing only two kicks on the year (including one that was blocked). These aren’t pooch kicks, either. One was from 47 and another was from 50. At least for now, it seems like Jake “No Shake” Elliott is back in full effect. My apologies in advance if I jinxed Elliott and he ends up going 0/4 next week.
1st quarter, 5:54: Sanders 25-yard run
Welcome back, young bull. Sanders did not have… the best day today. That’s putting it lightly, but we’ve seen what Sanders looks like when he gets going, and I can only hope that this game was only him shaking off the rust. With that said, it was nice seeing Boobie back from IR. Seeing Sanders stutter and attack the hole for a 25-yard gain is a testament both to him and the Eagles’ offensive line. Plus, this run on 1st and 10 was the preface to another impressive run involving Sanders…
1st quarter, 4:00: Hurts 20-yard zone-read run
This play was so dirty but so beautiful. When Hurts pulled the ball out of Sanders’ stomach and took off running on a zone read, I almost lost it. I couldn’t find the video on Twitter, so I took matters into my own hands and recorded the play with my phone. I believe that’s the first time I’ve done something like that. The Hurts/Sanders misdirection opened up a hole for Hurts to run through and put us in the red zone. There’s no video of it on Twitter, but it took place at 4:14 in the first quarter, if that helps.
1st quarter, 9:46: TJ Edwards Interception
TJ Edwards signed a one-year extension after this game. I’m sure his interception and tackle for loss were completely unrelated. I joke, but I’m happy for him, especially since he’s proven to be one of our best players at a position that had sadly been undervalued by the F/O for years. The throw was absolutely terrible, but Edwards still had to capitalize on Siemian’s mistake. It’s also worth noting this pick resulted in Hurts’ first rushing touchdown of the day.
4th quarter, 4:09: Jalen Hurts Hat Trick
This is the play that everyone’s talking about. Hurts took Carl Granderson’s ankles like he was Annie Wilkes in Misery on his way to his third touchdown. The game was essentially decided at this point, with the Eagles ahead 11 with four minutes left in the 4th quarter. If the game were closer, this would probably be the play of the day.
2nd quarter, 0:35: Darius Slay Pick Six
Darius Slay is an all-pro. No further arguments will be taken at this time. Not only is Slay a beast in coverage, allowing negative yards on the day when targeted, but he has also lived up to his “Big Play” moniker multiple times over the past few weeks, scoring two touchdowns off turnovers since the start of November.
1st quarter, 2:10: Jalen Hurts Bids A Deux
On this down, #1 scrambled for #2 on 3rd and 4 (well, 3rd and goal, but that doesn’t fit the joke). With nobody open downfield, Hurts took matters into his hands for the second time in the game (not including running for first downs) and punched in six more against the supposed best rush defense in the league.
1st quarter, 7:20: TD #1 for #1
Today, Jalen Hurts was the epitome of “fine, I’ll do it myself,” notching three touchdowns on the ground. People can joke that Hurts is a running back, but I don’t care how the Eagles score so long as they do. In fact, the touchdown should have been an 18-yard TD catch by Goedert (his knee was never down), but I guess I’ll settle for a one-yard QB sneak. By the way, in case it wasn’t evident, Jalen Hurts owns the Saints.
Subscribe to our posts and bookmark these feeds:
* * *
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.
