Eagles Report Card: Grading Every Unit After Dominant Steelers Victory

Grading the Eagles' Performance

The Philadelphia Eagles put on a dominant performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8, securing a 35-13 victory. Let's grade each unit's performance:

Offense: A+

The Eagles' offense was nearly unstoppable against the Steelers. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was efficient and effective, completing 19 of 28 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns. The running game also excelled, with Miles Sanders rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver A.J. Brown had a standout performance, catching seven passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Defense: A

The Eagles' defense played a major role in the victory, limiting the Steelers to just 13 points. The pass rush was relentless, sacking Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett four times. Cornerback Darius Slay had an interception and returned it for a touchdown.

Special Teams: B+

The Eagles' special teams played a solid game. Jake Elliott was perfect on field goals, converting all three of his attempts. Britain Covey had a good day returning punts, averaging 10.7 yards per return.

Individual Standouts

Several Eagles players had standout performances against the Steelers:

• Jalen Hurts: The quarterback was in complete control of the offense, making smart decisions and executing the game plan effectively.
• A.J. Brown: The wide receiver was Hurts' favorite target, and he made several big plays on deep passes.
• Darius Slay: The cornerback had a pick-six and played excellent coverage throughout the game.
• Haason Reddick: The defensive end had three sacks and was a constant threat to Pickett.
• Jake Elliott: The kicker was perfect on his field goal attempts and provided valuable points.

Areas for Improvement

Despite the dominant performance, there are still areas where the Eagles can improve:

• Penalties: The Eagles committed eight penalties for 73 yards, which could have cost them the game if it were a closer contest.
• Run defense: The Eagles allowed Najee Harris to rush for 63 yards on 20 carries. They need to improve their tackling and gap discipline in order to prevent opposing running backs from gaining big chunks of yardage.
• Pass protection: The offensive line gave up three sacks to the Steelers' pass rush. They need to provide better protection for Hurts in order to prevent injuries and turnovers.

Conclusion

The Eagles' dominant victory against the Steelers was a complete team effort. The offense, defense, and special teams all played well, and several individual players had standout performances. However, there are still areas where the Eagles can improve, such as reducing penalties and improving their run defense. Overall, the Eagles are a legitimate contender in the NFC this season, and they will be a tough opponent for any team they face.