Two Eagles Players Trending Up And Two Players Trending Down After Tumultuous Victory Over Colts
Following a comeback victory against the Indianapolis Colts, the Philadelphia Eagles have shifted momentum back into their favor. Here are two players riding that momentum high and two looking to build on subpar performances.
Trending Up – Quarterback Jalen Hurts
Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts may not have had the most flashy or sexy game looking at the statistics, but the former 2020 second-round pick led his team to victory this past Sunday. In the absence of Tight End Dallas Goedert for Philadelphia, the game plan seemed to feature more designed runs for Hurts. The 24-year-old gunslinger finished with 86 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Hurts had more rushing yards than Colts Running Back Jonathan Taylor had in the game.
Hurts also led his first game-winning drive of the 2023 season. On the season, Hurts ranks fourth in the NFL in quarterback rating, fifth in QBR, and fifth in completion percentage among qualified quarterbacks. In his last 16 regular season starts, Hurts has led the Eagles to a 14-2 record while accounting for 33 total touchdowns. With this thrilling win in Indy, Hurts continues his strong season while continuing his push for an MVP award at the season’s end.
Coming off a loss to the division rival Washington Commanders in week ten, Hurts and the Eagles needed a bounce-back win. Hurts stepped up when needed and made the necessary plays to ensure a W for Philadelphia. Looking ahead to the next three weeks for Hurts and the offense, they’ll face the Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans, then the New York Giants. Hurts must ride this positive energy in what looks to be a tough, three-game stretch for Philly.
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Trending Up – Linebacker TJ Edwards
As we switch gears to the defense, Eagles Linebacker TJ Edwards put on another impressive performance this past Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The former undrafted free agent out of the University of Wisconsin finished the game with ten tackles, two tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in the come-from-behind win against Indianapolis. The former Badger leads Philadelphia in tackles on the year with 96. He has been used in virtually all situations this season, which is a far cry from the countless projections that had him playing solely on early downs to stop the run.
On the season, Edwards grades out as a top-three linebacker across the NFL. It’s hard to imagine an Eagles defensive player playing better than Edwards. As the second half of the season rolls along, Edwards has turned up his play and is now one of the leaders on defense for Philadelphia.
Trending Down – Wide Receiver AJ Brown
Eagles Wide Receiver AJ Brown enters the wrong side of this list. The superstar receiver has had a rough stretch of games for Philadelphia the last two weeks. First, Brown managed just one catch for seven yards in the 32-21 loss against the Washington Commanders the previous week. This week, Brown coughed up the ball in a crucial spot. All told, Brown has averaged just 42 receiving yards in his last three games, with only one score in that span.
In primetime, the Eagles’ number one receiver will look to get back on track this week against the Green Bay Packers. With the injury to Tight End Dallas Goedert, Brown will have a tougher time occupying the middle of the field. Look for Philadelphia to scheme Brown open when needed to get the offense going through him with Goedert on injured reserve.
Trending Down – Defensive End Fletcher Cox
Former Pro Bowl Defensive Tackle Fletcher Cox is the next player trending down for the Philadelphia Eagles. Coming off a week ten loss to the Commanders in which Cox was stonewalled and pushed back the entire game, the Colts game was not nearly as bad. Cox trends downward with crucial additions in Defensive Tackles Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh stepping in and playing well against Indianapolis this past Sunday. In 48 snaps, Cox mustered just two tackles.
While the Eagle’s front office signed Cox to a one-year, 14 million-dollar deal this past offseason, all indications point to Cox underperforming this season. Cox has voiced his opinions regarding Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s 3-4 scheme. Signs are still evident that Cox reverts to techniques taught in a traditional 4-3 system. For example, Cox will take a big first step when the ball is snapped, putting him at a poor angle to stop the run.
31-year-old Cox is still a highly effective player despite these negative connotations. Look for this superstar player to bounce back as Philadelphia pushes for a playoff run this season.
Wrapping Things Up
The 9-1 Eagles will face the Green Bay Packers this Sunday night in prime time. Hurts and Edwards look to keep their hot streaks alive in this highly contested matchup of NFC opponents. Brown and Cox will look to rebound and regroup in this uber-important regular season matchup at Lincoln Financial Field.
𝘽𝙇𝘼𝘾𝙆𝙊𝙐𝙏@UnibetUS | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/EK0W5iLH3q — Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 22, 2022
Eagles Escape With A Narrow Comeback Victory Vs. Colts 17-16 https://t.co/aHDxNkjyyh #FlyEaglesFly #ForTheShoe #NFL #NFLTwitter #LexNFL #LexOfIt #Lex — 🐉🔥Kailani🔥🐉 (@Kailani_SCH) November 21, 2022