Eagles Stock Report: Quick Review Who Is Trending After Week 16 Epic Win?
Philadelphia Eagles still sits atop the NFL as the best team in the league at 13-1. Here’s the team stock report following their 13th win this season.
Trending Up – Wide Receiver A.J. Brown
Eagles Wide Receiver A.J. Brown trends up after a career day at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears. Brown finished with nine receptions and a career-high 181 receiving yards in the 25-20 win this past Sunday. On a bone-chilling, cold day in Chicago, Brown was red hot against a Bears secondary that could not contain him. Furthermore, Brown has put together his most impressive season from a statistical standpoint, too.
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Eagles A.J. Brown
Entering week 16, Brown has set single-season career highs in receptions (74) and receiving yards (1,201), respectively. Those 1,201 receiving yards Brown has accumulated this season also set a franchise record for most receiving yards in a player’s first season with the Eagles. Brown passed Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, who had 1,200 receiving yards back in the 2004 season.
The division rival Cowboys enter week 16 as arguably a top-five defense in the NFL. Dallas comes into this game allowing the third fewest passing yards at 191.6 yards per game. They also rank second in sacks with 49, trailing the Eagles for most in the league. Couple these impressive defensive statistics with Eagles backup Quarterback Gardner Minshew in line to start for Philadelphia, and it makes this matchup a difficult one for Brown. With Dallas set to host Philadelphia on Christmas Eve in primetime, look for the former Ole Miss superstar to continue his historic season against a quality opponent.
The adjustment by AJ Brown 👀 @1kalwaysopen_ 📺: #PHIvsCHI on FOX 📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/mzMHAEtgdH pic.twitter.com/dbhgUUSnzH — NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2022
Trending Up – Tight End Dallas Goedert
This Sunday likely marks the return of Eagles Tight End Dallas Goedert. Goedert, who has been sidelined on IR since week with a shoulder injury, should play this week after being activated on Tuesday. The 27-year-old was having a fantastic season up until the injury suffered in the Washington Commanders game back in week ten. The former South Dakota State product will be a focal point in Offensive Coordinator Shane Steichen’s offense, especially factoring in Minshew being the likely starter in week 16.
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Eagles Dallas Goedart
Goedert and Minshew have a bit of history together during their time in Philadelphia. In week 13 last season, the Minshew-Goedert connection was uber-strong. Goedert hauled in receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 33-18 win against the Jets. With the Cowboys set to contend with Philadelphia’s electric receiving core consisting of Brown and Devonta Smith, Goedert trends up this week with the potential for a breakout performance in his first game back in over a month.
Trending Up – Linebacker Haason Reddick
The Eagles 15-million-dollar pass-rusher trends up after another dominant performance against the Chicago Bears this past Sunday. Defensive weapon Haason Reddick finished the week 14 game in the Windy City with four tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
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Eagles Hasson Reddick
Reddick ranks among the top five across the NFL in sacks (12), forced fumbles (4), and fumble recoveries (3). The former Temple Owl needs one more sack on the year to achieve a single-season career high of 13. The 28-year-old became the first player in NFL history will 11+ sacks in three consecutive seasons playing for three different teams in that span. Lastly, Reddick also leads the league in 3rd down sacks with nine.
Next, this matchup does not particularly favor Reddick, as Dallas has only given up 19 sacks in 2022. Even with the injury of veteran offensive lineman Terrence Steele, the Cowboys have played well in the trenches in the protection of Quarterback Dak Prescott. Look for Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Defensive Line Coach Tracy Rocker to devise a game plan to attack this great offensive line of the Cowboys.
Lastly, the Eagles enter week 16 with 55 sacks, ranking first in the NFL in that category. Collectively, Philadelphia is inching closer to history in that category, too. Reddick and Defensive Tackle Javon Hargrave have achieved the ten-sack mark already this year. Defensive End Josh Sweat needs a half-sack, and Defensive End Brandon Graham needs one-point-five sacks to reach ten on the season.
Should both players accomplish this feat before seasons end, it would mark the first time in league history that four players on one team total ten sacks each in a single season. Look for Reddick and the Eagles’ defense to cause damage to the Cowboys’ offensive line on Sunday.
Haason Reddick put in work on Sunday. He's had 24 pressures the last three weeks (best stretch of his career). #FlyEaglesFly pass rusher puts so much stress on opposing blockers. pic.twitter.com/hEK293RUWO — Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) December 19, 2022
Trending Down – Running Back Miles Sanders
Whether it was the gameplan or execution, Eagles Running back Miles Sanders had a down week last week in Chicago. Coming off the heels of a career day against the New York Giants, Sanders followed it up with a dud against the Bears. Sanders finished with just 42 yards on 11 carries and one lost fumble. Sanders looks to avenge his worst performance of the season against a Cowboys defense that has held opponents to 133.1 yards rushing per game, good for 24th best in the NFL. Look for a reinvigorated Sanders to get a fair share of carries in the likely absence of Hurts this Sunday in Dallas.
Wrapping Things Up
As Philadelphia heads to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Christmas Eve, most of this Eagles team will bring some holiday cheer. Brown and Goedert look to be huge factors on offense on Sunday. The duo will likely be targets one and two for whomever the quarterback is under center for Philly.
Reddick continues to prove he’s been worthy of his high price tag in free agency this past offseason and should have another great game against the Cowboys. Lastly, Sanders looks to have a bounce-back game against a Dallas defense that has had trouble with the run.
All in all, Santa Claus might come a day early for Eagles fans. With a win on Sunday, Philadelphia would win the NFC East and notch a franchise record 14th win. With these players mentioned above, their stocks will all with a win in Dallas against one of the best teams in the league.