Eagles 43, Rams 35: Jeff McLane's Up-Down Drill
Highlights and lowlights from the Eagles' 43-35 win over the Rams.
Carson Wentz
UP – The Eagles quarterback was fearless once again, but he finally took one hit too many. He set the Eagles franchise mark for touchdown passes in a season with 33. But he might not get the opportunity to add to that number. The Eagles season might rest on the severity of Wentz's knee injury.
Doug Pederson
UP — The Eagles clinched the NFC East and lead the conference with an 11-2 record. The win might have been bittersweet considering Wentz's injury, but Pederson deserves credit for guiding the Eagles past many obstacles this season. Can he get them over what might be the highest hurdle?
Nick Foles
UP – He wasn't spectacular, but he didn't need to be. Foles steered the Eagles to victory and made a couple of key throws, including a third-down pass to Nelson Agholor. The tests will keep coming if Wentz is done for the season.
Chris Long
UP – Long was playing against his former team, and his strip sack/forced fumble was a game-changer.
Trey Burton
UP – For the second time this season, the Eagles were without tight end Zach Ertz, and both times, Burton and Brent Celek more than offset the loss. Celek caught the first of Wentz's four touchdown passes, but Burton's two scores were magnificent.
Alshon Jeffery
UP – The Eagles wide receiver is known for high-pointing passes, but he can get them low, too. Jeffery finger-tipped a Wentz pass just inches above the ground for a fourth-down, third-quarter touchdown.
Eagles punt team
DOWN – Dave Fipp's kick-cover units had been leaky of late, but not his punt team. That changed early in the third quarter when the Rams' Mike Thomas blocked a Donnie Jones boot. Former Eagles draft pick Blake Countess scooped up the loose ball and scored.
Eagles tackling
DOWN – For the second straight week, Jim Schwartz's defense couldn't consistently wrap up. There were a host of guilty defenders, but the Eagles defensive backs were sloppy in the open field.
Rodney McLeod
DOWN – The Eagles safety's play over the last few games has declined. McLeod made multiple mistakes Sunday. His coverage, particularly against Rams slot receiver Cooper Kupp, was shaky, and he took several poor angles on tackle attempts.
Nigel Bradham
DOWN – Overall, the Eagles linebacker didn't play poorly. But Bradham dropped what would have been an easy interception near the goal line and later had another chance sail through his hands.
Jay Ajayi
UP – Did the Eagles running back do something to Pederson? Ajayi had only four carries in the first half even though he had the hot hand, rushing for 49 yards.
Chance Warmack and Isaac Seumalo
DOWN – The game turned for the Eagles after Stefen Wisniewski suffered a game-ending ankle injury in the first half. The offense was cruising and up, 21-7. But Wiz was pulled and Warmack and then Seumalo had few answers for the formidable Aaron Donald.
Torrey Smith
UP – He hadn't caught a pass for more than 10 yards since the Cardinals game two months ago, and there were whispers that he should be benched for Mack Hollins. But Smith came through in Los Angeles and became the first Eagles wide receiver with a 100-yard day this season.
Fletcher Cox
UP – With Donald justifiably getting rave reviews, Cox showed that he, too, can dominate up front. The defensive tackle forced Jared Goff into several incomplete throws and was one of the few Eagles defenders to bring his "A" game.
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