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Eagles up-down drill: The best and worst from Philly's 51-23 win

The highs and lows from the Eagles' beatdown of the Broncos.

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz meets Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler after the Eagles’ 51-23 win over the Broncos on Sunday.
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz meets Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler after the Eagles’ 51-23 win over the Broncos on Sunday.Read moreCLEM MURRAY / Staff Photographer

Doug Pederson

UP – You wanted improvement in Pederson's second season? The coach has already won more games (8) than he did all last season and owns the NFL's best record (8-1) as the Eagles head into a bye week. But Pederson's team is far from finished, as Sunday's shellacking of the Broncos further indicated.

Carson Wentz

UP – The Eagles quarterback had maybe his worst performance of the season last week against the 49ers, and it wasn't even that bad. But Wentz was back to playing at the MVP-caliber level he has maintained for most of 2017.

Lane Johnson

UP – Von Miller called Johnson the NFL's best right tackle heading into the game, and the Broncos linebacker saw it up close on Sunday. Johnson didn't allow one of the league's elite edge rushers a sack, and one time rag-dolled Miller to the ground with one arm.

Eagles tight ends

UP – No Zach Ertz? No problem. The Eagles would rather have their leading receiver than not, but Brent Celek and Trey Burton ably filled in for the tight end and had five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown before the half.

Jay Ajayi

UP – The newest Eagle made an immediate impact, rushing eight times for 77 yards and an electrifying 46-yard touchdown bolt. Imagine what happens when learns the entire offensive playbook.

Jim Schwartz

UP – The defensive coordinator kept dialing up the right calls, packages and personnel. Need to stop the Broncos' run-heavy offense? Employ a 4-4 front. Need to get off the field on third downs? Go dime. Schwartz deserves his share of credit for the Eagles' start.

Eagles run defense

UP – The Broncos averaging just 1.8 yards a carry on the ground would typically earn a standing ovation, but the Eagles defense has been as dominant all season. Special notice to defensive ends Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry and linebackers Nigel Bradham and Mychal Kendricks.

Eagles pass defense

UP – Forget about the 191 yards the Broncos gained through the air. Most came during garbage time. The Eagles front registered three sacks and the back end recorded two interceptions.

Brock Osweiler

DOWN – The Eagles' defensive performance was outstanding, but it wasn't as if they were facing Tom Brady. Osweiler had several horrendous throws.

Alshon Jeffery

UP – His catch ratio is still on the low side. Jeffery pulled in only 6 of 11 targeted passes. But he had two touchdown catches — the first on a double move that resulted in a 32-yard score.

Corey Clement

UP – The undrafted rookie continued to reward the Eagles for keeping him on the roster. Clement tallied three touchdowns on the day — two rushing and one receiving — and is firmly ahead of Wendell Smallwood on the depth chart.

Rodney McLeod

UP – He doesn't get a ton of mention because he mostly plays center-field safety — a position that doesn't always see a ton of action. But McLeod has had a strong season so far and notched his second interception of the season.