Instant Analysis: Grading the Eagles' 30-17 Win in Washington

QUARTERBACKS

Carson Wentz: 26/39, 307 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT

Once again, Wentz is able to do things physically many other quarterbacks simply cannot. That much was evident on his 58-yard touchdown to Nelson Agholor. Wentz escaped what looked like a sure sack and flicked a pass down the field with ease. The 24-year-old wasn't exceptionally sharp, but was able to keep the chains moving in the face of consistent pressure. The interception was tipped at the line of scrimmage. That being said, Wentz is not doing his offensive line or himself any favors holding on to the ball so long.

Grade: B

RUNNING BACKS

LeGarrette Blount: 11 ATT, 37 YDS, 1 TD REC
Darren Sproles: 5 REC, 43 YDS

The Eagles didn't have a ton of opportunities to carry the football, but weren't very effective with the chances they got, either. Say what you want about the blocking -- if a defender meets Blount in the backfield, there's almost zero chance he will make that man miss. Blount and Wendell Smallwood had some issues in pass protection as well.

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Grade: C

WIDE RECEIVERS

Nelson Agholor: 6 REC, 86 YDS, 1 TD
Alshon Jeffery: 7 TAR, 3 REC, 38 YDS, 2 PTS

For Jeffery, not a debut to remember. Jeffery was far from the focal point of the Eagles offense, despite the fact he was not shadowed by Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman. Jeffery had some opportunities to come up with highlight reel catches, but wasn't able to finish. Meanwhile, for Torrey Smith, a debut to forget. He had 1 reception for 30 yards, but it was lack of interest in jumping on a loose football after he whiffed on a block that people will still be talking about on Monday.

Grade: B-

TIGHT ENDS

Zach Ertz: 8 REC, 93 YDS
Brent Celek: 1 REC, 11 YDS

Ertz led all receivers in receptions and yards, and was the security blanked Wentz desperately needed this week. The fifth-year tight end caught everything that was thrown his way, quite a few of them going for first downs. Did not see or hear much from Trey Burton.

Grade: A

OFFENSIVE LINE

Jason Peters: Left game in third quarter (groin)

Difficult to asses the play up front. Pass protection was an issue early, but Wentz isn't doing his O-line any favors with all that running around back there, either. Washington had 2.0 sacks and 10 quarterback hits -- many of those Wentz's own doing. The unit settled down in the second half despite calling upon Halapoulivaati Vaitai to replace Peters at left tackle, although never did give backs much room to run. The Eagles averaged 2.6 yards per rushing attempt, minus kneeldowns.

Grade: C

DEFENSIVE LINE

Fletcher Cox: 1.0 SK, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD
Brandon Graham: 3 TKL, 1 TFL, 2.0 SK, 1 FF

There's no question the officials blew the call, but Brandon Graham was credited with a sack and a forced fumble, which Fletcher Cox recovered and returned 20 yards for the score. Whatever. It counts, and essentially sealed the deal for the Eagles. Tim Jernigan added a sack as well, and Vinny Curry hit the quarterback twice. The D-line disappeared for a stretch, but came back strong in the fourth quarter and delivered a victory.

Grade: A-

LINEBACKERS

Jordan Hicks: 7 TKL, 1 FR
Mychal Kendricks: 3 TKL

Hicks also should've had a sack, but the play was negated by a defensive holding penalty against Nigel Bradham. Kendricks had the hit of the game, and was used frequently and effectively as blitzer. Solid effort from the front seven as a whole, limiting Washington's offense to 3.8 yards per carry.

Grade: B

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Jalen Mills: 9 TKL, 2 PD, 1 INT

Mills was battling through and up-and-down game before an interception floated into his waiting arms. It was less a good play Mills than it was a matter of good fortune, but he held on and it was an important play, ending a Washington drive in the red zone. Still, 9 tackles is not a good statistic for a cornerback. Malcolm Jenkins and Patrick Robinson each had 4 tackles, and Rodney McLeod and Jaylen Watkins had 3. Washington averaged a pitiful 4.5 yards per pass attempt, so the secondary bent, but it did not break.

Grade: B+

SPECIAL TEAMS

Caleb Sturgis: 3/3 FG, 1/2 XP
Donnie Jones: 42.5 AVG, 1 IN20

Special teams arguably had a larger hand in this victory than the offense. Sturgis rebounded from a missed extra point to connect on field goals of 50, 42 and 37 yards. Jones pinning Washington at their own 1-yard line (give Jaylen Watkins with assist) with 6:43 remaining in the fourth quarter led to a huge three-and-out as well. Impressive debut for Corey Clement on kickoff coverage, too. The rookie running back made 2 tackles, though he was only credited with 1.

Grade: A+

COACHING

Eagles' record: 1-0

Wentz's toss was way off the mark; Smith's lack of effort was unforgiveable; but Doug Pederson's play call was most to blame for an first-quarter ugly turnover in the first quarter. Too many moving parts -- Agholor in motion, receiving a backward pass -- and from Washington's 34-yard line with a 7-0 lead was neither the place nor time to try it. In typical Pederson fashion, the play calling also lacked balance (20 runs, 44 dropbacks).

While this was not Pederson's best work, Jim Schwartz's defense kept it together. Schwartz showed a lot more flexibility, varying his personnel and pressure packages. Limiting Washington to 17 points with an uneven offensive performance is quite a feat.

Grade: B-

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