Grading the Eagles' 37-9 win Sunday night over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium (see breakdown):
QUARTERBACK
Carson Wentz: 14/27, 168 YDS, 2 TD
This was by no means Wentz's best game, yet there was still a lot to like about his performance. The 24-year-old remains unflappable, standing in the pocket and taking some pops, yet still delivering an accurate football. He took off an ran three times for 16 yards, but never put himself in harm's way. No turnovers, again, which is often the most important statistic of all. Give Wentz three two-point conversions, too. It wasn't always pretty, but it got the job done.
Grade: A-
RUNNING BACKS
Corey Clement: 6 ATT, 50 YDS, 1 TD
In a backfield that features Jay Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount, Clement might be the best of the bunch (see Roob's observations). The undrafted rookie has a nose for the end zone, scoring on an 11-yard scamper and capping it off with the two-point conversion. Kenjon Barner followed up a 22-yard reception with a four-yard rushing TD as well. Speaking of Ajayi, his career-long 71-yard carry set up another TD, while Blount ripped off a 30-yarder that also led to points.
Grade: A+
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WIDE RECEIVERS
Alshon Jeffery: 4 REC, 67 YDS, 1 TD
Just when I was ready to rip Torrey Smith for another dropped pass, he made perhaps the toughest grab during his Eagles tenure - an 11-yard touchdown in traffic. Smith finished with three receptions for 28 yards, but it was Jeffery who stole the show here. His 17-yard score was an impressive snag, holding on to a bullet while going to the ground with a pair of Cowboys defenders trying to rip it away. Give Jeffery two points for good measure.
Grade: B+
TIGHT ENDS
Brent Celek: 1 REC, 28 YDS
Hard to say if Zach Ertz's lack of involvement was because the Cowboys' defense focused on trying to take him away or if it was simply a quiet night. Whatever the case, the Eagles' leading receiver wound up with two receptions for eight yards. At least Celek's lone catch happened to the longest completion of the game, and Trey Burton was able to get in on the two-point parade.
Grade: B-
OFFENSIVE LINE
NBC broadcaster Cris Collinsworth said the Eagles' offensive line might be the most underrated unit in the NFL, and it's difficult to argue. The big fellas up front limited a good Cowboys pass rush to six quarterback hits and zero sacks, while also paving the way for 218 yards on the ground on 30 attempts (excluding kneel-downs). That's a 7.3 average. And remember, this is all without Jason Peters. That Halapoulivaati Vaitai is a player.
Grade: A+
DEFENSIVE LINE
Derek Barnett: 3 TKL, 2.0 SK, 3 QBH, 2 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FF
The Cowboys' backup left tackles sure are doing wonders for NFL pass rushers. This time, it was Barnett benefitting from the injury to Tyron Smith. The Eagles' first-round draft pick enjoyed his most impactful game as a pro, while Tim Jernigan and Brandon Graham tacked on sacks as well. The front four generated a lot of pressure, which played a role in three interceptions, although they were curiously soft against the run. Dallas averaged 4.1 yards per attempt.
Grade: A
LINEBACKERS
Nigel Bradham: 6 TKL, 1 FR, 1 TD
Bradham scooped up the fumble caused by Barnett and raced 37 yards to put the game away. Otherwise, it was not a very impactful performance from the Eagles' linebackers, who played a role in the defense's struggled to stop the run. Mychal Kendricks registered four tackles and a quarterback hit, but it was a quiet game for the duo overall.
Grade: B-
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Ronald Darby: 8 TKL, 1 INT, 2 PD
Welcome back, Mr. Darby. In his first game since injuring his ankle in Week 1, Darby led the way in tackles and got in on the pick parade. Rodney McLeod had one, via a tipped pass from Malcolm Jenkins, who later snared an interception of his own. Give Patrick Robinson a pass breakup on a pivotal third down, and let's not forget Jalen Mills, who was physical and racked up seven tackles. This secondary is legit.
Grade: A+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Elliott: Left game in 1st QTR (concussion)
Kamu Grugier-Hill took over for Elliott on kickoffs, and it raised an interesting strategic question. If a backup linebacker is able to boot the ball into the end zone, why risk your field-goal kicker on kickoffs at all? The Eagles survived despite the injury, in addition to the Cowboys' 61-yard kick return to open the game. At least the punting game was strong, as Donnie Jones averaged 45.1 yards on six tries.
Grade: B-
COACHING
Eagles' record: 9-1
Doug Pederson got a little pass-happy in the first half, to negative results. Wentz struggled to find a rhythm, and the offense stalled repeatedly. The Eagles went into the locker room trailing 9-7, but Pederson figured it out in the second half. He gave the ball to his deep stable of backs, and they carried him to victory. Great adjustment. Jim Schwartz's defense didn't have its best game against the run, but completely shut down Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' passing attack, so it didn't matter. The winning streak is now at eight.
Grade: A
