Eagles Week In Review: The MVP Votes For Week 4
The Eagles are 4-0.
Despite their increased expectations in the offseason, I don’t think anyone expected this. The Eagles have leapt out of the gates, buoyed by a versatile offense and stingy defense that have both flaunted the depth of the roster throughout its dynamic diversity.
This week, we begin a series called “Week In Review”. In it, we will explore each game of the Eagles schedule, with a voting system. This particular voting system is borrowed from the Australian Football League, within their measurement of the “Best and Fairest”. This award offers their equivalent of the MVP and is calculated on a weekly basis.
How It Will Work
Each game, we will award three Eagles players with votes. The best performance will lead to three votes, the second best two votes and the third best one vote. At the conclusion of the season, we will tally up the votes from all the games and declare an Eagles MVP.
You can follow along via the Fly Eagles Nation page for each week’s review.
Week 4 – The Review
Jason Kelce – 3 Votes.
This one might surprise some people.
Kelce was emphatic on Sunday. The weather at Lincoln Financial Field made the passing game extremely difficult, and ball movement even more strenuous. As a result, after the Eagles fell into a two touchdown deficit, they needed to move the ball through the ground effectively, whilst still maintaining the ability to gain yards with ease.
So then came Kelce. The versatile, athletic center was seen opening huge holes for Miles Sanders all game, leading to the back’s career high 134 rushing yards and two touchdown performance. He showed once again that he is the best run blocking center in the NFL. Kelce was able to use his athleticism and speed to get out in front of Sanders down the field, which he does frequently and so impressively. He frequently assisted on double teams, before disengaging effectively and finding linebackers downfield to completely throw out of their gap assignment lanes. It truly was a dominant performance.
Furthermore, Kelce did not allow a single pressure for the second consecutive week. Despite injuries to Jordan Mailata and Isaac Seumalo, the Eagles withstood shocking conditions to continue to provide protection and open run lanes effectively. This is a credit to the leadership of the veteran’s presence in the middle. He deserves the best on ground title for Week Four.
Haason Reddick – 2 Votes.
This was close.
The free agent acquisition could have easily pulled away the three votes, as this decision was almost a coin flip. Reddick has been a revelation so far this season, showing his explosive pass rushing ability, paired with an underrated skillset against the run.
Week Four was a full display of his excellence. The former Carolina Panther had an outstanding 93.5 overall PFF grade for the game, as well as a ridiculous 94.1 PFF pass rushing grade. He was credited with three stops by PFF, as well as two sacks, two forced fumbles and three total pressures. His play helped to change the game and get the Eagles two of their five takeaways.
Miles Sanders – 1 Vote
Sanders was electric in Week Four
The 5’11”, 211 back showed his patience, vision and explosiveness all in one game on Sunday. He was able to exploit the sensational lanes that the offensive line were able to produce, bursting through for a career best 134 yards from 27 carries. He also caught two of his three targets for 22 receiving yards as well. He added in two scores to make it one of his finest performances thus far in his career.
Sanders was able to force six missed tackles against the Jaguars speedy defensive front, an impressive feat of elusiveness and power. He had four runs over ten yards, and had his longest run of the season thus far, with a 35 yard explosive.
It was a career day for the perennially underrated back, who now lifts his tally on the season to 356 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Week One
3 votes – A.J. Brown
AJ Brown exploded out of the gates in his debut for the Philadelphia Eagles. He and longtime friend Jalen Hurts connected on ten catches for 155 yards on route to an explosive 38 point Eagles offensive dominance.
2 votes – James Bradberry
Bradberry was stingy in his first game as an Eagle, allowing only one catch from six targets per PFF. He also had one interception, returning it for a touchdown.
1 vote – Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts was instrumental in the victory in the Eagles opening game. The offence hummed as he passed for 243 yards, rushed for 90 more and had a touchdown on the ground.
Week Two
3 votes – Darius Slay
Darius Slay was simply incredible in this game. He dominated Justin Jefferson, allowing just one catch on six targets when covering him per PFF. Furthermore, in those snaps against one of the league’s best receivers, he had two interceptions. I mean, how much more evidence do you need?
2 votes – Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts was fantastic in this game, allowing the offense to explode for 24 first half points. He went a phenomenal 26-31 for 333 passing yards and a touchdown. He also added two rushing touchdowns from 57 yards on the ground, including a 26 yard explosive.
1 vote – T.J. Edwards
T.J. Edwards was fantastic in coverage snaps for the Eagles in this game. He allowed just 32 yards on a total of nine targets, as well as three stops (according to PFF). He had eight tackles, three total pressures and two hurries, affecting the game in a myriad of ways as well as leading the defense to a dominant effort. The all around performance led him to a fantastic PFF overall defensive grade of 84.6.
Week Three
3 votes – DeVonta Smith
Skinny Batman had an absolute day. The second year budding superstar had an incredible 169 yards from eight catches, and a touchdown. He made some seriously impressive contested catches, that allow the Eagles offense to take advantage of his big play ability. That skillset seems to be added to his already incredible route running.
2 votes – Brandon Graham
Wow, BG is back! The big man had an absolute coming out party against his old quarterback, notching five pressures, 2.5 sacks and absolutely living in the backfield. He added two tackles for loss and completely wrecked the game for the Commanders, who had no answer for him.
1 vote – Fletcher Cox
Similarly, to Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox roared back into the premier interior defensive lineman talk and occupied the backfield all day. He notched 1.5 sacks and three pressures himself, including one tackle for loss. This was a huge game for the defensive line, led by Cox and Graham.
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