PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 05: Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs in a touchdown the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Eagles Manhandle Denver To Go To 8-1
The Philadelphia Eagles looked like a powerhouse in today’s 51-point thrashing of the Denver Broncos, improving to 8-1 as they go into the bye week.
Facing the vaunted Denver defense, famous for their “No-Fly Zone” secondary, Carson Wentz and the Eagles’ offense came out and moved the ball at will, putting up over 400 yards, 51 points, and didn’t commit a single turnover.
This is a Denver defense that just two years ago anchored that team to a Super Bowl victory. And here, second-year quarterback Carson Wentz just picked them apart. Oh, and he did so while playing without his favorite target, Zach Ertz, who missed today’s game with a hamstring injury.
Wentz began the day by answering an early Denver field goal by floating a picture-perfect pass to Alshon Jeffery for a 32-yard strike to get the Eagles on the board.
Wentz delivered another beautiful throw in the second quarter to hit Trey Burton for a 27-yard touchdown to put the team up 24-6.
Wentz finished with under 200 yards, but tossed four touchdowns on the day, and the way he was performing, that yardage total could have easily been higher if it needed to be.
The quarterback play we’re seeing from Wentz is just on another level. More and more, he’s looking a true MVP candidate with each passing week. You watch him play, and it’s so hard to believe that this is a guy with just 25 NFL games to his name.
Quick Thoughts
Offense
- Big week for Alshon Jeffery. Who would have thought Alshon’s breakout game would have come against the Denver secondary? Six grabs for 82 yards and two scores for Jeffery.
- If Alshon and Wentz are starting to really click, watch out. That adds a whole extra dimension to this offense.
- Speaking of new dimensions in the offense, it didn’t take long for Jay Ajayi to make an impression on Philadelphia, with a 46-yard touchdown run before the half. The long run gave Ajayi 77 yards for the day.
- Not to be outdone, Corey Clement scored three touchdowns, two by ground, one by air. He’s clearly the third back in this rotation, once Ajayi is fully up to speed, look for Wendell Smallwood to be inactive most weeks.
- With Ertz out, it was really nice to see Trey Burton and Brent Celek step up and pick up the slack. Celek caught three passes for 39 yards. He’s such a forgotten man these days, but make no mistake, the guy can still play.
- Nick Foles got into the game for a second straight week, and connected with Nelson Agholor for a 35-yard gain on his only pass attempt.
Defense
- Once again, the Eagles’ run defense anchored the team, allowing just 35 yards on 14 carries.
- Meanwhile, Brock Osweiler had no business coming in to Philadelphia on the road and beating this defense. Osweiler threw two interceptions, one to Patrick Robinson, the other to Rodney McLeod.
- Nigel Bradham picked up his first sack of the season.
- Vinny Curry and Chris Long each picked up sacks as well.
Special Teams
- Jake Elliot drilled a 45-yard field goal, and connected on 6 of 7 extra point attempts.
Final Thoughts
At 8-1, the Eagles continue to sit alone at the top of the NFL.
With the Seattle Seahawks taking a loss at the hands of the Redskins, the Birds gained valuable ground in the race for home field.
The team now gets a valuable bye to rest up, to get Jay Ajayi more acclimated with the offense, and to prepare for a showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, where the Eagles could potentially put the final nail in the NFC East coffin.
These are great times to follow this team, let’s enjoy and savor every moment.
Denny spot on. I’d also like make mention that big V and the offensive line did a remarkable job ..the game plans ,and Wentz reads are almost flawless ..If we all imagined the “gold standard” to resurrect itself in 1 1/2 years we’d have been committed ..it’s almost seamless how this machine is rolling ..every check mark has been filled from the front office ,the coaches ,and the players ..hoping the Minnesota weather won’t freak this desert dweller ..and fulfill the dream for us all ..
Cian fahey called wentz Andy Dalton…..no respek man
Dude is a clown. Will never mention Wentz when he plays well. Only talks about him when he does something that he can criticize. Classic troll.
Eff him. Just keep winning.
What can you say about the performance the Eagles put on today. 51 points against the #1 defense in the league. The Eagles are just clicking on all cylinders.
I like the fact that Wentz’s security blanket (Ertz) was not on the field today and it did not phase him or the offense at all. That’s a mark of a franchise QB. He makes the other players around him better (Burton). Alshon stepped up.
The running backs are just getting it done. Corey Clement, Blount and Jay Ajayi.
O line pass protection today was all pro. Lane Johnson stonewalled Von Miller and Vaiti played very well, his name was not called once. Kelce was stout in pass pro and run blocking along with Brooks and Wisniewski. The entire o line deserves credit for a great performance against a stout Broncos d line.
The defense as a whole is just what an Eagle defense is all about. Physical, nasty and smash mouth. D line is so strong it greatly improves the secondary. Mychal Kendricks and Nigel Bradham are balling the fugg out.Dbacks are opportunists…we are the real NO FLY ZONE!
Special teams continue to be special
FLY EAGLES FLY!!!
OG Brooks was outstanding.
Eagle secondary is feasting on QBs.
Clement belongs in the NFL.
Vinny stinking Curry got another sack by pushing an OG into QB.
Wentz putting up 4 tds a game is routine thing now.
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cons- Elliot missed another extra point.
Seumalo gave up a strip sack TD.
Whole offensive line was tremendous. Didn’t hear Von Miller’s name all day. Pederson with the play calls. Wentz with the correct reads. Made Talib look silly. The defense was its usually stellar self consistently getting pressure and limiting the run once again. Burton and Celek stepped up.
All around great game.
2 fights in the NFL. Diva Wideouts going loco ( TB Evans & Cin. Green). This a pattern in Cincinnati, Marvin Lewis either encourages this or he has no control over his players committing personal fouls.
Was a third fight in sf dona game.
Mr meh led his offense to 51 points against one of the best defenses in football. My meh challenged one of the best corners in nfl in talib by targeting Alshon often yesterday and mr meh won that battle. This is quite extraordinary!! Wentz man what a leader and what a gamer and what a talent!!!
But ts and kool were right. Foles sucks. Come back and gloat please.
Mhenski..careful wishing for the return of TS and kool and songs ..draining the swamp and its inhabitants has served the team well.Its interesting as the lofty perch our birds sit ,is something we all need adapt ..no negadelphia,is on the google map any time soon..the scary thought when Darby returns and Ertz ,vs Dallas will be an opportunity perhaps for the creatures to come out from under their rocks ..will the birds be flat? or will they step on the throats of the cowgirls ..if the latter I can foresee the organization having a complex issue ..resting guys for the big picture vs steamrolling their way to the NFC home game throughout ..We haven’t had to navigate that ,in recent history..
Nick Foles throw to nelson A was a thing of beauty.
Foles can still play
Went 3-0 with Chiefs last year