The Philadelphia Eagles have achieved an impressive record of 5-2 following their thrilling victory against the Cincinnati Bengals!

With three consecutive wins under their belt, it’s safe to say that the Eagles are back in the game!

This resurgence feels authentic after witnessing such a high level of efficiency against a formidable opponent on their turf. The quarterback demonstrated exceptional skill, the offense maintained a seamless rhythm, and the defense executed pivotal plays that turned the tide.

Several games this season have left fans feeling as though the 2023 Eagles were simply a shadow of their former selves. However, last week’s run-heavy strategy echoed the successful tactics of the 2021 Eagles, while the win against the Bengals resonated with a 2022 vibe, igniting speculation about the potential of the 2024 Eagles truly becoming contenders.

Now, let’s dive into the standout performers, key disappointments, and those who left us scratching our heads.

CELEBRATING THE WINNERS

JALEN HURTS: A STAR REBORN

This is the version of Hurts that the Eagles need to consistently witness if they aspire to be recognized as genuine Super Bowl contenders.

His box score tells a remarkable story: 16 completions on 20 attempts (an impressive 80% completion rate), totaling 236 yards (averaging 11.8 yards per attempt), with 1 touchdown and no interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 132.5. Additionally, he contributed significantly to the ground game with 10 carries for 37 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.

While Hurts had some early throws that raised eyebrows on his first two drives, including a missed opportunity with A.J. Brown and a risky check-down to Kenny Gainwell on third down, he quickly bounced back. After those early missteps, he displayed remarkable precision and composure:

This performance was nothing short of spectacular.

What’s even more encouraging is not just the statistics but how Hurts achieved them. He executed the quarterback position with exceptional skill and poise.

Moreover, Hurts managed to protect the ball for the third consecutive game, outshining a top-tier quarterback in Joe Burrow.

While it’s unrealistic to expect Hurts to consistently perform at this high level week in and week out, the Eagles would greatly benefit from seeing this version of him more frequently. If Hurts can continue to deliver such stellar performances, the Eagles are poised for a promising future.

THE EAGLES’ DOMINANT OFFENSIVE LINE

Let’s not overlook the contribution of Jeff Stoutland and the offensive line.

Despite being without starting left tackle Jordan Mailata and starting right guard Mekhi Becton, the Eagles’ offensive line allowed no sacks and only one quarterback hit. They paved the way for a remarkable 39 carries that resulted in 161 rushing yards (averaging 4.1 yards per carry) and 3 rushing touchdowns. The success of the infamous Brotherly Shove wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of these remarkable athletes.

This kind of blocking performance should never be taken for granted. Many teams struggle to field a competent starting offensive line even when fully healthy, let alone manage significant injuries.

A special mention goes to Fred Johnson, who faced scrutiny due to past difficulties in pass protection. Concerns were high regarding his ability to handle his former teammate Trey Hendrickson, who ranks third in the NFL for sacks since 2020, just behind Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. Johnson rose to the occasion impressively:

Last week showcased Saquon Barkley’s resurgence; this week, it was Fred Johnson’s impressive comeback.

DEVONTA SMITH’S CLUTCH PERFORMANCE

After struggling last week with just one catch for negative yards, DeVonta Smith emerged as a key player for the Eagles this time around. He led the team in receiving with 6 catches on 7 targets for a total of 85 yards (averaging 14.2 yards per catch) and contributed with one touchdown. His spectacular over-the-shoulder catch for 45 yards demonstrated his skill and athleticism.

Smith also made two crucial first-down receptions on the Eagles’ penultimate drive, significantly contributing to the team’s 17-point lead with only 4:39 remaining in the game.

SAQUON BARKLEY’S IMPACTFUL RUNNING

In addition to Smith’s contributions, Saquon Barkley played a crucial role during that same drive. Aiming to secure the victory, the Eagles executed a decisive 85-yard drive in 12 plays, consuming 7:27 off the clock. As the Eagles’ closer, Barkley showcased his skills with 7 carries for 57 yards, proving to be nearly unstoppable against the Bengals’ defense.

Barkley concluded the game with an impressive 22 carries for 108 yards and also made a three-yard reception. His performance this season has propelled him to 872 total yards in just 7 games, averaging 124.6 yards per game. For context, Christian McCaffrey led the NFL last season with an average of 126.4 yards from scrimmage per game.

Saquon has been nothing short of elite.

A.J. BROWN’S CONSISTENT EXCELLENCE

The highest praise I can offer A.J. Brown is that his performance is so consistently impressive that it almost seems routine. He received 6 targets, converting 5 of them into catches for 84 yards, marking his lowest receiving total in a game this season. Yet, even a “quiet” game for Brown is still quite impressive!

GRANT CALCATERRA STEPS UP

In Dallas Goedert’s absence, Calcaterra has stepped up admirably. He caught all 3 of his targets in this game for an impressive 58 yards. Additionally, he made a critical block on Hurts’ seven-yard touchdown run. The Eagles should definitely continue to incorporate him into the game plan even after Goedert returns to the lineup.

JACK STOLL’S BLOCKING EFFORTS

Though Jack Stoll only had one catch for 6 yards, his contributions as a blocker were substantial. He received recognition from head coach Nick Sirianni during the postgame locker room speech for his efforts in blocking Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard one-on-one during Hurts’ touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith.

While Hubbard may not be a star, he is a solid player, averaging 5.5 sacks per season over his seven-year career. It’s incredibly valuable to have a tight end who can effectively block a quality edge rusher when needed.

NICK SIRIANNI’S STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

Over the last two weeks, Sirianni has effectively navigated the team’s direction. This is a significant achievement!

Avoiding mistakes is key: don’t become the focus of negative headlines or make the team’s situation worse.

Although this may seem like a low bar to clear, ideally, a head coach should provide the team with an advantage. At the very least, they should avoid creating additional issues.

Sirianni has managed to do just that and even more!

He deserves credit for being aggressive during a crucial 4th-and-1 situation from the Eagles’ own 39-yard line on their second drive, opting for a Brotherly Shove that successfully earned the first down. There’s an argument to be made that he should have taken a similar risk on a subsequent 4th-and-3 from the opponent’s 48-yard line instead of punting. However, not all coaches make that choice.

Sirianni also deserves recognition for successfully challenging a Burrow pass that was clearly not caught cleanly by Andrei Iosivas. He managed to get his challenge flag out before the Bengals could snap the ball in their hurry-up offense. Although the Bengals scored on this drive, Sirianni forced them to work harder for it.

From a cultural and morale standpoint, Sirianni appears to be making the right moves. The Eagles are playing with confidence and swagger. Perhaps his unexpected buzz cut and animated interactions with fans marked a turning point for the team.

KELLEN MOORE’S OFFENSIVE SCHEMES

With the Eagles scoring on 7 of their 8 drives, this performance marked one of their best offensive showings in quite some time:

As previously mentioned regarding Hurts, the excellence of this performance lies not only in the results but also in the manner in which the Eagles achieved their success. Unlike previous games where the offense appeared disjointed and over-reliant on star players to make plays outside the structure, the game plan effectively maximized the team’s talent.

For instance, the Eagles lined up under center at a significantly higher frequency than usual!

Additionally, they effectively utilized pre-snap motion, showcasing a modern offensive approach!

It appears that the Eagles may have genuinely found their rhythm offensively. If this is the case, there’s plenty of reason for optimism regarding the team’s potential moving forward.

VIC FANGIO’S DEFENSIVE STRATEGY

The Eagles’ defense had a shaky start, allowing the Bengals to establish early momentum. The Bengals’ initial drives looked like this:

• 17 plays, 70 yards, TD
• 11 plays, 61 yards, FG
• 6 plays, 44 yards, missed FG
• 2 plays, -1 yard, end of half
• 13 plays, 70 yards, TD

The Eagles struggled to get off the field on third down, with the Bengals converting 10 of their 13 opportunities (including a pass completed short of the sticks on a 3rd-and-22).

However, the Eagles’ ability to limit explosive plays and force the Bengals to earn their points eventually paid off. For example, pushing the Bengals into a 4th-and-1 at the minus 39-yard line prompted Zac Taylor to go for it, allowing Cooper DeJean to create a turnover on downs. Following this, the defense came alive with two consecutive takeaways, including one interception and one fumble recovery. The Eagles were overdue for some breaks after entering Week 8 with only 2 takeaways over their first six games. A notable tweet from last week captures this sentiment:

Fangio’s defense managed to hold Burrow, who entered the game with the NFL’s third-best passer rating, to his lowest mark this season at 84.7.

Fangio’s unit also limited Ja’Marr Chase to just 54 receiving yards, marking his second-lowest total this year (though Tee Higgins’ late scratch contributed). This follows a week where Malik Nabers was held to the worst game of his rookie season.

Over the last three games combined, the Eagles have allowed only 2 touchdowns. That’s an impressive feat!

ISAIAH RODGERS RISES TO THE OCCASION

Filling in for the injured Darius Slay, Rodgers faced the challenge of defending Chase and performed admirably. He displayed excellent coverage on Burrow’s deep pass intended for the star receiver, successfully knocking the ball into the hands of C.J. Gardner-Johnson for a crucial interception. This critical takeaway set the Eagles up for a commanding three-possession lead.

According to Pro Football Reference, Rodgers is allowing a mere 56.2 passer rating when targeted this season. He is proving to be an invaluable asset as the top backup on the outside.

C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON’S VISION

While Rodgers executed the hard work, C.J. Gardner-Johnson deserves recognition for being in the right place at the right time to capitalize on the interception. His play last year was characterized by opportunism and a knack for making impactful plays; perhaps this signals a return to form.

COOPER DEJEAN’S EMERGENCE

Similar to Quinyon Mitchell, DeJean has displayed an impressive maturity for a rookie. In this game, he made two outstanding open-field tackles that stand out in recent memory. The first was when he took down Trent Irwin in a situation where most defenders might struggle as the receiver cuts upfield. He also denied Chase a first down on 4th down, resulting in a turnover on downs. Exceptional work. His performance has been a significant upgrade over Avonte Maddox at the nickel cornerback position.

DeJean also came close to securing an interception in this game, with the ball bouncing off his hands.

QUINYON MITCHELL’S PROMISE

Mitchell has allowed a 69.3 passer rating when targeted this season. His statistics from this game reflect his growth:

Mitchell narrowly missed what could have been his first interception, but it’s only a matter of time before it happens.

BRANDON GRAHAM’S CLUTCH PLAYS

Anyone who watched Super Bowl LII knows Brandon Graham is a clutch player.

In what could potentially be his final