By David Weinberg
Back-to-back victories after a two-game losing streak have the Eagles back on track at the halfway point of their regular season.
They have yet to truly hit their stride, but they are still very much in contention to become the first team to win back-to-back NFC East titles since they accomplished the feat in 2003-04 and are capable of becoming the first NFC team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the Dallas Cowboys in 1992-93.
Sunday’s 38-20 victory over the New York Giants improved their record to 6-2. They’ve won at least six of their first eight games for the fourth consecutive season, which is the first time they’ve accomplished that feat since 1947-50.
To get a better gauge as to how long its been since the Birds started this well, Steve Van Buren was the running back, Chuck Bednarik was still at the University of Pennsylvania, and players wore helmets with no facemasks.
The Eagles own a comfortable lead in the division ahead of the Cowboys (3-4-1) and Washington Commanders (3-4). They among six teams with two or fewer losses, along with the Green Bay Packers (5-1-1), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2), Detroit Lions (5-2), Los Angeles Rams (5-2) and Seattle Seahawks (5-2).
The Birds already own wins over the Buccaneers and Rams and face the Packers and Lions after the bye.
But an encouraging start means little if there’s a disappointing finish.
Just ask the Phillies.
Midseason grades
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts was inconsistent in most games earlier in the season, but he has started to play like one of the top quarterbacks in the NFC. He has thrown 15 touchdown passes against just one interception and also had five rushing TDs. He’s the first player in NFL history with at least 15 TD passes, five rushing TDs and one or fewer interceptions in his first eight games.
GRADE: A-minus.
Running back
Until rushing for 150 yards against the Giants Sunday, Saquon Barkley was struggling. A year after rushing for over 2,000 yards, he had just 369 yards in seven games and had gained 60 yards or less six times. Will Shipley has been dealing with injuries. Tank Bigsby is now the top backup.
GRADE: D.
Offensive line
This unit is still very good, but they’ve been struggling with injuries to center Cam Jurgens, left guard Landon Dickerson, and right tackle Lane Johnson. Left tackle Jordan Mailata has not been quite as dominant as years past. GRADE: C.
Wide receiver/tight end
Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are still among the league’s best tandems, though Brown missed the Giants game with a hamstring injury and has not been a big part of the offense in some games. He has 29 receptions for 395 yards and three TDs. Smith leads the team with 44 catches for 588 yards. Tight end Dallas Goedert has scored a team-high seven TDs.
GRADE: A-minus
Defensive line
This unit has been a bit disappointing, aside from tackle Jordan Davis and end Moro Ojomo. Davis has three sacks and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown to clinch the win over the Rams. Ojomo leads the team with four sacks. Tackle Jalen Carter missed the season opener after a spitting incident and has not been a big factor to date. GRADE: C.
Linebacker
Zack Baun leads the team in tackles as usual with 64 to go with three sacks and an interception. Rookie Jihaad Campbell has enjoyed a terrific season with 45 tackles and an interception. Jalyx Hunt has been very good. Nakobe Dean just returned to the lineup after missing the first part of the season with an injury.
GRADE: B.
Secondary
Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have emerged as one of the league’s top tandems. Mitchell rarely gives up a completion, let alone a long gain. Cooper is second on the team with 52 tackles. Rookie safety Andrew Mukuba leads the team with two interceptions. GRADE: B-plus.
Special teams
They have supplied their share of big plays. None was bigger than Jordan Davis’ return of a blocked punt for a TD against the Rams. Jalen Carter also blocked a field goal in that game. Sydney Brown scored off a blocked punt against the Bucs. Place-kicker Jake Elliott has not been used as much as in seasons past. He’s made 7-of 9 field goals, though he is 3-for-4 from 50 yards and out and has made all 25 extra point kicks. Punter Braden Mann leads the NFC with a 52.4-yard punting average. GRADE: A.
Coaching
Nick Sirianni still has his critics, but no one can argue with the results. New offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has also taken some heat for his play-calling. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has done a good job of mixing newcomers and veterans. Special teams coordinator Michael Clay has his units playing very well. GRADE: B-minus (for Sirianni).
Midseason Awards
Offensive MVP: Hurts
Defensive MVP: Mitchell
Special teams MVP: Davis
Local NFL update
Packers cornerback/wide receiver Bo Melton (Cedar Creek High School, Mays Landing) had a 22-yard kickoff return and one tackle in a 35-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (Bridgeton) had four tackles in a 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos.
High school playoff fields set
Eight high school football teams from Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties qualified for the upcoming state playoffs.
Atlantic City leads the way. The Vikings are seeded first in South Jersey Group 5 and will meet eight-seed Cherokee Friday at home at 6 p.m.
Millville and Cumberland both made the field in Group 4. Millville is seeded second and will play host to seventh seed Toms River East Saturday at 1 p.m. Cumberland is eighth and will travel to top-seeded Winslow Township Saturday at 1 p.m.
Group 3 will feature a rematch between rivals Mainland Regional and Ocean City. The fourth-seeded Mustangs will play the fifth-seeded Red Raiders Saturday at 11 a.m. Mainland won the first meeting this season 20-7.
Cedar Creek is the No. 2 seed in Group 3 and will play No. 7 Triton Thursday at 6 p.m. Third-seeded Pleasantville will also play Thursday against sixth-seeded Delsea Regional.
Lower Cape May Regional is the fourth seed in Group 2 and will face fifth-seeded Gloucester on Saturday at 12 p.m. Gloucester beat the Caper Tigers 21-7 earlier this season.
The non-public brackets will be announced later in the week. St. Augustine Prep, Holy Spirit and St. Joseph Academy have qualified.
Photo by Tom Btiglia/
PhotoGraphics
