Weekly grades: Week 13
Week 13 Report Card: Eagles Ace the Ravens (Mostly)
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the classroom of chaos, where the Philadelphia Eagles just turned in their Week 13 homework: a scrappy, nail-biting 24-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Sure, the game was more “group project” than “perfect solo effort,” but hey, a win’s a win—and this one earned an A for adrenaline. Especially during quarters 1 and 3 when the offense couldn’t muster as many first downs as kicks missed by Justin Tucker.
Now, it’s time to hand out the grades. Some players soared like Eagles of the gridiron, while others played like they forgot the test was today. Don’t worry, we’re dishing out fair marks with just a sprinkle of brotherly love—because much like the Ravens offensive line blocking Jalen Carter, we might have to hold back.
Grab your green-and-black pens, like the Ravens were grabbing Jalen Carter (ok I’m bitter). Let’s break it down player by player, because in Philadelphia, we grade on a curve… and it’s shaped like the majestic beak of Americas one and only Bird That matters 🦅
Offense:
Quarterback: C+
Jalen Hurts - 11/19, 118 yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 passing
As with every game Hurts has played for the last two seasons, there were moments where he appeared blinded. There were too many drives that went up in a cloud of smoke. Of course blame is not all his and I’m sure I will have some blame to distribute to Kellen Moore once I have a chance to break down the coaches film. After a couple poor decisions in the first quarter on RPO’s he was excellent deciding when to hand it off or tuck and run. Overall this is the type of performance we have come to expect. And with Saquan Barkley and the leagues top defense, it’s generally enough to win. Most important stat of the day won’t show up in the box score because they didn’t exist. Zero turnovers and only two during the impressive 8 game rampage since the bye week.
Running Back: A
Saquan Barkley - 23 carries for 107, 2 catches on 4 targets for 10 yards
We have been spoiled here. Somehow being the first back all year to eclipse 100 yards against a stout Ravens run defense that hadn’t even given up 70 yards in a game didn’t seem that impressive. Barkley’s 25 yard TD in the 4th quarter all but ended any hope of a comeback from the Ravens. Saquan has a penchant for driving daggers through the hearts of his opponents at the end of games. A true closer, Barkley has eclipsed 1,000 yards already this season with 5 games to play. 1000 yards IN THE 4th quarter alone!!!!!!
Tight End: B-
Dallas Goedert : 3 catches on 4 targets, 35 yards and 1 score
is universally considered to be one of the better tight ends in the league. while he is having a down year for production, I'm having a hard time getting on board with his putrid 61.5 overall grade including a 49.7 run block grade. All things considered, Goedert will be featured in our ALL 22 coaches film - Player Spotlight this week.
OFFENSIVE LINE: A-
The Eagles offensive line has been universally agreed upon as the second best unit in the NFL. Week 13 against a stout Ravens defensive front was no different. The Ravens (by a wide margin) enjoyed the NFL's top run defense coming into the game. The previous high for yards given up to a RB was 63 to Najee Harris in week 11. Even with Roquan Smith back in the fold for the Ravens, Saquan Barkley was able to stay hot going 23 for 107, while Jalen Hurts and Will Shipley tacked on another 33. Hurts regularly had sufficient time to throw against a mediocre pass, even if he was unable to find an open receiver for one reason or another. Jordan Mailata led all players with a PFF score of 94.5
Secondary: B-
The Ravens attacked the middle of the field aggressively vs the Eagles in week 13. Reed Blankenship was targeted 4 times before leaving the game with a concussion, giving up 4 catches including one score for a 158.3 passer rating against. Cooper Dejean was targeted 10 times! He gave up 7 catches for 66 yards yards, while Isiah Rodgers was responsible for the Ravens other TD. Someone was going to get beat against this powerful unit. After some explosive plays to start the game, the secondary settled in keeping the play in front of them and giving the front seven a chance to get to Lamar two times. This game started out with the feeling from earlier in the year and the end of last year where it seemed like things would unravel. To Eagles fans delight, the secondary settled in nicely en route to holding the Ravens to 12 points for the first 58:03 of the game and 3 points after the rough first quarter.
Linebackers: A-
Zack Baun - 13 tackles, 8 solo, .5 sacks and a forced fumble. Who would've thought the eagles would have one of, if not the best linebacker corps in the entire NFL. Helped out by a 5 man front that Fangio deploys to get 1-on-1 matchups for Jalen Carter and to keep the off-ball linebackers clean, the Eagles held King Henry to 19 for 82 and without any truly explosive runs. Nakobe Dean coninued his solid play with 10 tackles, 5 of which were solo.
Defensive Line/Edge: A-
The Eagles are forced to finish the season without Brandon Graham and there was legitimate inside and outside of the Novacare Complex about replacing his production and leadership. Jalyx Hunt looked comfortable on his way to a half sack, while Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter grabbed one as well. It seemed like the Eagles were inches away from getting to Lamar on a bunch of plays and just couldn't get home. Lamar was his magical self escaping trouble multiple times leading to a few big plays including a 29 yard score to Mark Andrews and a bomb to Zay Flowers early in the game. To my dismay, I stumbled across multiple video compilations of Jalen Carter being held egregiously while the refs pretended Lamar was Patrick Mahomes as their flags petrified in their pockets. Poor guy is so unfair the refs feel the need to level the playing field.
Special Teams: B
Special teams were fine. Jake Elliott was 1-for1 with three extra points while Britain Covey averaged 7.3 YPR on four returns.
