Defensive line
They put the cake in the oven, left it to bake, took it out, and forgot to put the icing on. The front four were able to get consistent pressure on Matt Ryan but seldom did it end in a sack or a QB hit.
Run defense was impressive as always, but that was in large part to the linebackers cleaning up the wreckage.
Grade: C
Linebacker
Zach Brown flashed all game long and that was reflected with his seven tackles. Nate Gerry picked off his second career pass as he continues to grow into an NFL linebacker, making the transition down from Safety. Nigel Bradham was as sturdy as always and overall, there’s little to dislike here.
Grade: B+
Cornerback
Where do we start? Ronald Darby was toasted time and time again by the combo of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, but made up for it with an interception in the second half. Meanwhile, Sidney Jones and Rausl Douglas both made noteworthy plays, while allowing others. It was another topsy-turvy day and one the secondary would sooner forget, but there’s a legitimate concern over Ronald Darby’s form at this point and as a tackler, like I said all offseason, that worry has always been there.
The Eagles kinda miss Jalen Mills…
Ps. Gotta love Rasul chirping Julio Jones as if it’s preseason week 3. Bonus point.
Grade D+ (the + is for Douglas having some swagger)
Safety
Andrew SendeJOOOO (if you read it in the voice, you’re the real MVP) hammered Matt Ryan on a crucial sack, but the overall MVP of this game for me was easily Rodney McLeod. The man was flying all over the field making plays at every turn. An oddly quiet day for Malcolm Jenkins is nothing to scoff at however when the other Safeties played so well.
Grade: B
