The Eagles dismantled the Packers in last night’s preseason game. They destroyed them. They clobbered them in all three phases of the game. It’s only preseason but it’s difficult to not get carried away with how terrific the Eagles have looked through their first three preseason games. Below are the five biggest takeaways from yesterday night’s incredible showing against last year’s NFC North champion Green Bay Packers.
1 – Sam Bradford is easily the best quarterback Chip Kelly has had.
Chip Kelly did some amazing work with Nick Foles in 2013, as the second-year quarterback tossed 27 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. But with all due respect to Foles, former number one overall pick Sam Bradford is easily the most talented quarterback Kelly has ever had. Bradford was rusty against the Baltimore Ravens in the second preseason game but he was absolutely dominant against Green Bay yesterday, completing all 10 passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns. He took a vicious hit on his second touchdown pass, and ended a flawless night after just one quarter. In two preseason games, Bradford has played four drives and led the Eagles to four touchdowns. That’s as good as it gets, and although Bradford still hasn’t played a single regular season snap in an Eagles uniform, he’s given Eagles fans enough reasons to be optimistic about his future under Chip Kelly.
2 – Rushing attack will dominant no matter who carries the ball.
The Eagles have the best rushing attack in the National Football League, and there’s really not a team that comes close. Last year’s rushing champion DeMarco Murray will shoulder the load, with former first-round pick and 2013 Pro Bowler Ryan Matthews likely to average 10 to 12 carries per game. Veteran Darren Sproles is as explosive as any 32-year-old third-string running back across the league. But it’s players like Kenyon Barner, Raheem Mostert and Kevin Monangai who have emerged with strong showings during this preseason. Barner will likely make the roster, while Mostert appears headed for the practice squad. Monangai, despite his terrific stretch in the last few weeks, will probably be the odd man out.
3 – Trey Burton could have a sizable role in this year’s offense.
With Zach Ertz possibly sidelined for the start of the season and veteran Brent Celek mostly delegated to a blocking specialist, don’t be surprised if last year’s UDFA signing Trey Burton emerges as a legitimate receiving threat in Chip Kelly’s offense. Burton didn’t catch a pass during his rookie season, but he’s made a name for himself with some impressive hands this preseason. During yesterday’s victory, he hauled in a pair of touchdown receptions, finishing the game with four catches for 21 yards on four targets. Burton dominated on special teams units last year, but in 2015, he could become a solid receiving threat too.
4 – Special teams clearly weren’t a fluke last season.
The Eagles turned in one of the most dominating special teams units in recent NFL history in 2014. They scored seven touchdowns, four on punt and kick returns, and three more on blocked punts. They prevented big gains on opponents’ returns, hit on almost all their field goals and even provided the margin between winning and losing in at least two games. Through three preseason games, the Eagles have shown that last year’s showing is clearly not a fluke. After Kenyon Barner returned a punt for a touchdown in consecutive games, running back Raheem Mostert opened the game with a nifty 67-yard kick return. Later Bryan Braman partially blocked a punt and also forced a fumble on a kick return. All three huge plays by the special teams units came in the first seven minutes of the game. It’s getting to the point where every game the Eagles drastically change the momentum of the game with a key play by one of their many dominant special teams units.
5 – No injuries.
The Eagles escaped a third straight preseason game without a major injury, although the entire city had a collective heart attack when right tackle Lane Johnson left with a knee injury. But Johnson says he is fine, with just a sprained MCL, and should be good to go when the Eagles start the season in 15 days. Other than that, there were no injuries. With a division that is seeing key players like Orlando Scandrick, Junior Galette, Dez Bryant and Darren McFadden missing time due to injuries, the Eagles are continuing to stay healthy. Whether this is good luck, top conditioning, or sports science, let’s hope it continues for, oh, about 20 more weeks.
