Eagles analysis

Eagles grades by position after win over Vikings

Here are our Eagles grades by position after their 28-22 win over the Vikings in Minnesota.

By Dave Zangaro • Published October 19, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS — After losing back-to-back games against the Broncos and Giants, the Eagles were able to get back in the win column on Sunday afternoon with a 28-22 win over the Vikings.

Jalen Hurts threw all over the field to his stud receivers and the Eagles’ defense came through in key moments in the red zone to get the Eagles to 5-2 with one game remaining before their bye week.

Let’s get to the grades by position:

Quarterback

Jalen Hurts: 19/23, 326 yards, 3 TDs, 158.3 passer rating

That was one of the best games of Jalen Hurts’ NFL career. The only other games that really come to mind are the two Super Bowl he has played in. The Eagles came into Sunday wanting to establish the run but when that wasn’t working, they put the game on their franchise quarterback and he delivered over and over again. He’s just the third QB in Eagles history to have a perfect passer rating, joining Nick Foles against the Raiders in 2013 and Donovan McNabb against the Lions in 2007. Hurts completed 82.6% of his passes, which is even more impressive because he was throwing the ball downfield. He completed all 5 of his passes of 20+ air yards for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Grade: A+

Running back

Saquon Barkley: 18 carries, 44 yards

More tough sledding for Barkley after yet another pretty good start. Barkley had 6 carries for 29 yards in the first quarter but had just 12 for 15 the rest of the way. Barkley shows flashes and made some impressive short-yardage runs but the big holes just aren’t there for him right now. Tank Bigsby got his first carry as an Eagle and it went for 11 yards. And Will Shipley had just 1 catch for 7 yards, but had a couple really impressive reps in pass protection. A.J. Dillon was a healthy scratch.

Grade: B

Receiver

DeVonta Smith: 9 catches on 11 targets, 183 yards, 1 TD

This was a game where it really helped to have two No. 1 receiver. Smith had a career-high in this game and caught the longest pass of his career. That 79-yarder off a play-action in the third quarter was great execution and even more impressive when we learned that Smith pushed for that play call. A.J. Brown had a big game too with 4 catches for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 targets. He had a couple huge plays on scramble drills and scored what ended up being the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. Those two combined for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Grade: A+

Tight end

Dallas Goedert: 3 catches on 3 targets, 18 yards

It was a quieter day for Goedert, but he was efficient, catching all three of his targets. The Eagles were without Grant Calcaterra (oblique) for the second straight week, so Kylen Granson, E.J. Jenkins and Cameron Latu filled in. The Eagles began the game in 12 personnel.

Grade: B

Offensive line

While Landon Dickerson (ankle) returned on Sunday after missing Week 6, they didn’t get through this game unscathed. Starting center Cam Jurgens had to leave in the first half with a knee injury and was replaced by Brett Toth, who started last week at left guard. Toth seemed to actually play better in pass protection than he did against the run and the Eagles struggled to get their rushing attack going. But the O-line was able to protect for Hurts and those pockets allowed him to get the ball downfield.

Grade: B

Defensive line

Jalen Carter: 3 tackles, 3 QB hits

The Eagles defensive line was able to hold the Vikings to just 3.9 yards per carry.  Jordan Mason had a few nice runs but ultimately finished with just 15 for 57. Carson Wentz was able to scramble away from some pressure and was sacked just twice. But those sacks — from Moro Ojomo and Josh Uche — were huge. And we also have to give credit to Jalyx Hunt for his pick-6 in the first half. On that play, Jalen Carter had the pressure and put a huge hit on Wentz and Hunt floated into coverage on a simulated pressure. Azeez Ojulari started the game but left early with a hamstring injury.

Grade: B+

Linebacker

Zack Baun: 10 tackles

Baun was all over the field again and led the Eagles with 10 combined tackles. Nakobe Dean played his first defensive snaps of the season (31 of 69) and looked good. Dean had 6 tackles, including a tackle for loss. Dean’s snaps on defense allowed the Eagles to play Jihaad Campbell on the line of scrimmage more, which means he might have a dual-threat role going forward.

Grade: B+

Secondary

Cooper DeJean: 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU

Hunt had the Eagles’ first interception but Drew Mukuba had a pick on the very next possession; the second of his young career. Mukuba makes big plays but he also missed a couple tackles. DeJean’s pass breakup on Justin Jefferson in the end zone in the second half ended up being a four-point play. While Wentz threw for 313 yards, the Eagles clamped down in the red zone, allowed touchdowns on just 1 of 6 Vikings trips inside the 20. Jordan Addison had 9 for 128 and Jefferson had 5 for 79. When lined up against Quinyon Mitchell on 20 matchups, Jefferson had just 1 catch on 3 targets for 10 yards, per NextGen Stats.

Grade: B

Special teams

Jake Elliott: 0/1 on FGs, 4/4 on PATs

Some good and some back for special teams. Jake Elliott missed a 42-yarder that he simply pushed right. And the Eagles were called for a few penalties, one on E.J. Jenkins, one on Cam Latu and one on Elliott for not getting his kickoff in the landing zone. But the Eagles’ nightmares on kick returns appear to be over. Xavier Gipson was active for the first time and had 5 kick returns for 128 yards (25.6) and Will Shipley had 2 for 58 (29.0). Braden Mann had 3 punts for an average of 48.7 with a touchback and one downed inside the 20.

Grade: B-

Coaching

Record: 5-2

Give the Eagles credit for adjusting offensively in this game. They clearly wanted to run the ball but when that wasn’t working they were willing to change the approach. And just the presence of play action and plays under center showed some willingness to try different things. Sure, Smith pushed for that call on his deep shot but Kevin Patullo gets credit for actually calling it. Vic Fangio’s defense gave up a bunch of yards but was tremendous in the red zone and the simulated pressure he called in the first half resulted in a pick-6. Overall, give credit to Nick Sirianni for keeping his team focused through the adversity of the last few weeks.

Grade: B+

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-grades-by-position-after-win-over-vikings/690727/

B for the OL? That’s hugely generous! They were okay in pass pro but even then some of our biggest plays came because Hurts bought time and they were off script plays. I know they have injuries and so it isn’t easy but the OL is not playing well and a B is too high.

3 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

B for the OL? That’s hugely generous! They were okay in pass pro but even then some of our biggest plays came because Hurts bought time and they were off script plays. I know they have injuries and so it isn’t easy but the OL is not playing well and a B is too high.

Yes there is definitely grade inflation here