Grading the Eagles’ performance in Sunday’s 33-26 loss to the Cardinals
The Eagles fell to 4-9-1 Sunday after losing to the Arizona Cardinals, 33-26, despite an impressive performance from Jalen Hurts. Here are the grades.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (left) and against cornerback Patrick Peterson on fourth-and-six play during the third quarter on Sunday, in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Jalen Hurts had 63 yards on 11 carries, including a 7-yard touchdown run that tied the game late in the third quarter. Miles Sanders had just three runs of more than 5 yards and had just four carries in the second half.
Grade: B-minus
Passing offense
Jalen Hurts threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns. But he was sacked six times and was called for an early safety when he was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone. Greg Ward had two touchdown catches and rookie Quez Watkins turned a screen into a 32-yard touchdown. Alshon Jeffery had two catches for 63 yards and drew two pass interference penalties from the Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson.
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Grade: B-plus
Run defense
The Eagles did a nice job against the run, including Kyler Murray. Murray had just 29 yards on eight carries and the Cardinals averaged just 3.4 yards per carry on 30 rushing attempts.
Grade: A-minus
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) and Eagles linebacker Alex Singleton walk off the field following a 33-26 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts dives into the end zone for a third quarter touchdown past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (right) and strong safety Budda Baker on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Travis Fulgham attempts to catch the last second hail mary pass against the Arizona Cardinals defense on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins makes the catch for a touchdown over Eagles defensive back Michael Jacquet in the fourth quarter of a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The Cardinals won, 33-26.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zeke Turner (47) celebrates with his teammates after pulling off a rare fake punt pass in the fourth quarter of a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The Cardinals won, 33-26.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson attempts to pick-up the football on a bad snap exit point hold by Eagles Zach Ertz with Eagles kicker Jake Elliott watching during the third quarter on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. Ertz was the emergency holder after punter/holder Cameron Johnston left the game with a injury.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery gets passed interfered against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson during the third quarter on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott punts the football in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward makes the catch for a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz shoves off Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks during the second quarter on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward catches a second quarter touchdown against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and past strong safety Budda Baker on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles strong safety Jalen Mills sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during the second quarter on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles running back Miles Sanders runs with the football past Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Domata Peko Sr., during the second quarter on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles defensive back Michael Jacquet goes after Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during the second quarter on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The play resulted in a Murray fumble recovered by the Eagles.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver Quez Watkins celebrates Watkins second quarter touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins runs in for a second quarter touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor reaches for the football against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson in the second quarter on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws the football during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins fumbles the ball after pressure from Eagles defensive back Michael Jacquet in the first quarter of a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts listens to Head Coach Doug Pederson after Hurts committed an intentional grounding penalty that resulted in a first quarter after for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman forces a fumble with teammate defensive back Michael Jacquet on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in the second quarter on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs the ball in for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery catches a first quarter pass past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts during warm ups before the Eagles play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Pass defense
Missing three starters in the secondary, the Eagles battled. They forced three turnovers for only the second time this season, including two in the red zone. But Kyler Murray finished with 406 yards and three TDs, and DeAndre Hopkins became the third wideout in the last four weeks to put up 100-plus receiving yards against the Eagles.
Grade: C
Special teams
Dave Fipp’s special teams were a major liability. Cam Johnston had a first-quarter punt blocked that led to Arizona’s second touchdown and a 16-0 lead. They also got suckered by a fake punt early in the second quarter, had a poor PAT snap by Rick Lovato that cost them a point. And, oh yeah, their return game contributed nothing.
Grade: F
Overall
The Eagles played hard. After spotting the Cardinals a 16-0 lead, the Eagles battled back and tied the game at one point. Hurts had another impressive performance, and the defense forced three turnovers despite missing three starters in the secondary. But DeAndre Hopkins was just too much for them.