Sua Opeta started in place of Landon Dickerson at left guard, as expected. He earned his highest Pro Football Focus grade by far this season. Not hard to believe since Opeta has more experience repping at LG than RG. Opeta was actually the third-highest graded offensive player behind Grant Calcaterra (!) and Jalen Hurts.A.J. Brown only saw two targets in the first half for one reception that went seven yards. He saw nine targets for five catches and 73 yards in the second half. DeVonta Smith’s first half: four targets, three receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD. DeVonta’s Smith’s second half: one target, one reception, six yardsDallas Goedert had his third-most receiving yards despite seeing his sixth-lowest snap count percentage. He hasn’t been in the 90% range like he normally is since coming back from his shoulder injury.
D’Andre Swift logged his second-most rushing attempts this year despite playing his sixth-lowest snap count percentage. Swift’s 92 rushing yards were his third-most this year. Swift logged zero targets for just the second time this season; the other game was the Week 14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.Jack Stoll played his third-highest snap count percentage this year. The two above this one were games where Goedert didn’t play. Despite this, he did not see a target. The Eagles clearly preferred multiple TE sets more often than usual in this game.
Kenny Gainwell logged a season-high 79 yards from scrimmage between six carries for 41 yards (6.8 average) and three receptions for 38 yards. Gainwell’s last 16 carries have gone for 90 yards (5.0 average). His 18 before that went for just 66 yards (3.7 average). His 80 receiving yards over the last four games are also more than the 78 he had in his first 10 games combined. More efficient option recently. Also, Gainwell saw his highest special teams snap count percentage of the season.
Julio Jones led playing time at WR3. He saw a season-high four targets but only had one reception for five yards, which came on a screen on 2nd-and-20. Why do the Eagles like running this play in long to-go scenarios?! Jones is THE OLDEST ACTIVE WIDE RECEIVER IN THE NFL!
Less Julio, more Olamide Zaccheaus. The special teams mistake was obviously bad but OZ had a tremendous block to pave the way for DeVonta’s TD. Not the first time he’s done that this year, either. Play him! No reason for him to have just two targets over the last four games while Julio and Quez Watkins combined for 10.
Grant Calcaterra played his third-highest snap count percentage this year and his second-highest in a game where Goedert also played. He saw his first target of the season (and first since December 18, 2022) on the play where Jalen Hurts recovered a bad snap and still managed to get a throw off. Calcaterra’s other target also went for a first down. Perhaps he should be mixed in more often than never at all? Unfortunately, my bold prediction from my prediction post was correct … Boston Scott played his first Giants game without logging a touchdown. Tough development for the anytime TD bettors.
Britain Covey logged his first career target and reception on a 1st-and-10 screen play that went for seven yards! Nice to see the Eagles reward him with an offensive touch after watching him excel on special teams. Quez Watkins saw a single snap. It’s the lowest snap count he’s ever played in a game where he was active. Second-lowest was a five-snap game as a rookie in 2020. Kudos to the coaching staff for finally cutting back on his playing time after his repeated struggles and questionable effort. We’ll see if they continue to hold him back moving forward.
