Handing out 10 awards from the Eagles-Vikings game

[time2rock]

Handing out 10 awards from the Eagles-Vikings game

BY JIMMY KEMPSKI
PhillyVoice Staff

ERIC HARTLINE/USA TODAY SPORTS

Jalen Hurts celebrating a 26-yard touchdown where he bullied his way into the end zone.

The Philadelphia Eagles administered a beatdown of the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night, to the tune of 24-7, in a game that probably wasn't even that close. As always, win, lose, or tie, we hand out 10 awards.

1) The 'Franchise QB' Award 1️⃣: Jalen Hurts

Hurts was outstanding. He was 26 of 31 for 333 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT that wasn't his fault. He also added 11 carries for 57 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. But beyond the stats, he was great at some of things he was nitpicked for after the Eagles' Week 1 win over the Lions. He picked the Vikings' defense apart both from the pocket and on the run with passes that were on the money, allowing his receivers to get yards after the catch.

This was easily the best performance of Hurts' professional career, and if he can play at or near this level on a consistent basis, the Eagles have themselves a franchise quarterback.

2) The 'Share the Wealth' Award 💰💰💰: The Eagles' receivers

In Week 1, Hurts repeatedly targeted A.J. Brown, and why not? He was dominating, so feed the hot hand! In Week 2, Hurts spread the ball around, as four Eagles players had at least 69 (nice) receiving yards: 

1. Dallas Goedert: 5-82
2. DeVonta Smith: 7-80
3. Quez Watkins: 2-69-1
4. A.J. Brown: 5-69

Brown, Goedert, Smith, and Watkins are a really fun quartet, with diverse, dynamic skill sets, and Monday night is what it can look like when they're all involved.

As they showed on the telecast, Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) and/or Cameron Dantzler (3) bit the cheese on an out route by Goedert, leaving a streaking Watkins wide open down the field for his touchdown.

That was a great play call by Shane Steichen for the quarters defense that was called, putting the defensive backs on that side of the field in a "pick your poison" bind, but it is also representative of the varied ways the Eagles' offensive weapons can stress opposing defenses. 

3) The 'Big Play' Award ▶️: Darius Slay

Slay was a beast when matched up against Justin Jefferson tonight.

Slay had two interceptions and at least one additional pass breakup. 

"He’s one of the best in the world," Slay said of Jefferson. "I’m one of the best in the world, too.”

4) The 'Shhhhhhhh' Award 🤫: Justin Jefferson

Jefferson was apparently going to do some sort of super cool thing after the game if the Vikings beat the Eagles.

Here's a live look at the Vikings' press conference room where Jefferson was poised to speak:

 

5) The 'Temporary Redemption' Award 😏: Jonathan Gannon

Gannon got heat 🔥🔥🔥 this week from the fanbase and media after the Eagles played poorly defensively against the Lions Week 1. In Week 2, he dialed up pressure in opportune moments, and seemed to often confuse Kirk Cousins, never really allowing him to get into a rhythm.

Gannon will escape criticism until the next Eagles bad defensive game.

6) The Measuring Stick Award 📏: Kirk Cousins

Cousins has a career record of 10-43 against teams that have finished the season with a winning record. He beats bad teams, and loses to good ones. 

As such, the Eagles are now a confirmed good team. #Science.

7) The 'Thank You' Award 🙏: Dan Campbell and Kevin O'Connell

In each of the Eagles' first two games, the opposing sideline called a timeout with the hopes of getting the ball back and scoring before the end of the first half, only to see the Eagles benefit from said timeouts by scoring points of their own.

In this case, the Vikings called timeout with the Eagles facing a 3rd and 5 from their own 21 with 22 seconds left in the half. The Eagles proceeded to hit on three straight chunk plays:

1. Hurts to Smith for 16.
2. Hurts to Goedert for 19.
3. Hurts to Goedert for 24.

Jake Elliott then kicked a 38-yard field goal and gave the Eagles added momentum heading into halftime.

😎 The Harri-Sonned' Award ☹️: Harrison Smith

Remember when Zach Ertz sonned Smith in the NFC Championship Game?

Well, Goedert sonned Smith Monday night, when he blocked him for 15 yards as Hurts ran in for a TD behind him.

9) The 'Australian Punters Are Athletes' Award 🦘: Arryn Siposs

Siposs made a huge play when he tackled CB Kris Boyd after a blocked field goal. 

Siposs has wheels!

On the ensuing Vikings possession, Cousins threw a pick to a leaping Avonte Maddox, which probably deserves a video nod because that too was a great play.

Siposs helped save 7 points.

10) The 'Spicy Matchup' Award 🌶️: Carson Wentz

In Week 3, the Eagles will play their first of four short-rest road games against Carson Wentz and the Washington Commanders. So, you know, that'll be fun.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/handing-out-10-awards-eagles-vikings-game-2022/

[Rob331]

3 hours ago, time2rock said:

Gannon got heat 🔥🔥🔥 this week from the fanbase and media after the Eagles played poorly defensively against the Lions Week 1. In Week 2, he dialed up pressure in opportune moments, and seemed to often confuse Kirk Cousins, never really allowing him to get into a rhythm.

Gannon will escape criticism until the next Eagles bad defensive game.

Kempski's right that the fanbase and media will be hands off this week and ready to pounce next time there's a poor defensive game. 

My problem is that last week shouldn't have been on Gannon, it should have been on the players. They had 15 missed tackles and if the players were in the position to make the tackles than Gannon had them in the right position. Making those tackles would have made a world of difference in the score and in the perception of the defense oand Gannon. 

[YubaEagle]

13 minutes ago, Rob331 said:

Kempski's right that the fanbase and media will be hands off this week and ready to pounce next time there's a poor defensive game. 

My problem is that last week shouldn't have been on Gannon, it should have been on the players. They had 15 missed tackles and if the players were in the position to make the tackles than Gannon had them in the right position. Making those tackles would have made a world of difference in the score and in the perception of the defense oand Gannon. 

Gannon deserved some heat for that game last week. His scheme was anemic and vanilla. He schemed too much involvement from the secondary in the run game, having a brand new Safety, and a new CB in the system. Yes, the players didn't execute and tackled horribly, but his scheme put them at a disadvantage. And the pressure was non-existent last week. Luckily, he made some really good adjustments this week. AND the players executed lights out.

Fair or not, Gannon is going to be on the hot seat the rest of this year, unless the Defense looks like last night for the rest of the year. It's Philly- we love Defense.

[Rob331]

1 hour ago, YubaEagle said:

Gannon deserved some heat for that game last week. His scheme was anemic and vanilla.

Let's agree to disagree. I continue to believe that if those tackles were made the schemes would not have been seen as anemic and vanilla.