Grading on a curve in Week 2.
ATLANTA –
Here’s how the Eagles graded out in their 24-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night:
Offensive line: C
The three sacks Carson Wentz absorbed and the numerous other hits he took did not necessarily reflect breakdowns up front. The ball has to come out quicker. But the failure to get the running game going against a team that proved vulnerable the week before was disturbing.
Receivers: C
Nelson Agholor actually didn’t play poorly, but he had two key drops. Mack Hollins contributed a career-high five catches. Hard to assess this unit because of all the adjustments it had to make after DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery were lost to early injuries.
Tight ends: D
Dallas Goedert was lost to a pregame injury, leaving the entire workload to Zach Ertz, who caught eight passes for 72 yards but took the path of least resistance when charged with trying to get open on the team’s final pass on fourth down. Can’t set up that short of the marker. Just can’t.
Running backs: D
Rookie Miles Sanders has to realize by now that breaking stuff to the outside isn’t going to come as easy as it did at Penn State. No more mulligans for him after carrying 10 times for 28 yards. There were times when holes were there and he just didn’t hit them.
Quarterbacks: C
A strange performance by Wentz, who was awful in the first half but dynamite in the second. Plus, it’s hard not to believe his wild throws weren’t the result of a shot he took to the ribs. Josh McCown also played for the first time and did a good job of moving the team into field-goal range.
Defensive line: D
At some point, Timmy Jernigan’s injuries will have to be counted against him. Not his fault, I know, but they count against him nevertheless. Through two games, the Eagles have two sacks and none by their defensive ends. Their failure to generate consistent pressure is what forces defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to reluctantly blitz, and we all saw what happened with that adjustment Sunday.
Linebackers: B
No complaints about this group, which filled the run lanes more than adequately. Nate Gerry even had an interception in the end zone that prevented at least three points.
Secondary: C+
We’ll go easy here because quarterback Matt Ryan only burned this group when he was given too much time. Cornerbacks Sidney Jones and Ronald Darby had interceptions. And we’re going to put that 54-yard TD reception that Julio Jones had on their final possession on Schwartz. Before that, Jones had four catches for 52 yards.
Special teams: D
Corey Clement lost a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half, and the Falcons turned it into a touchdown. He also was hurt on the play, which could force the Eagles to make a roster move.
Coaching: B
Head coach Doug Pederson and Schwartz actually called good games and put their players in position to succeed and win. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp can hardly be blamed for Clement’s fumble. There were just too many unforced errors by the players.
Overall: C
The Eagles were in a tough spot even before bodies started dropping. The Falcons are a much better team than they showed the week before, and they had to have it.