Feels Like '22: The Eagles Are Back To Being Absolute Shit Kickers
Andy Lyons. Getty Images.Last week was great. It was the first time in a long time that the Eagles won a game that you felt fairly comfortable the entire time. But it was against the Giants, who are a glorified Sunbelt Conference team at the moment. The USA Flag Football team could probably win a few games in a 7-game series against the Giants at this point.
So today in Cincinnati was a chance for the Eagles to prove that they've actually turned a corner. That they could flex their ungodly amount of talent against a team that many people would consider to be a Super Bowl contender before the season started. The Eagles had never won in Cincinnati before, and had a Bengals team that was 3-1 in their last 4 weeks. It was as much of a "I hope they can pull this one out" type of week as they come.
Holy shit did they pull it out.
I don't know how much more of a complete game you could have asked for out of the Eagles on the road. They had everything going today. Tush push? Check.
Jalen with his legs? Check.
Jalen with his arm? CHECK.
DeVonta Smith looked like a superstar today. Not only the touchdown catch, but a bunch of huge grabs on 3rd downs to pick up the 1st. Saquon didn't have to do much today, but he was every bit worth the signing when the Eagles needed to put the game away in the 4th quarter.
And then the defense. That 2nd half was the best the Eagles defense has looked in 3 years. A massive stop on 4th down. The CJGJ interception. The fumble recovery to really lock up the W.
Just a bunch of massive, momentum shifting plays out of the defense today. The exact type of plays you need to make on the road to allow the offense to go out there and be comfortable enough to execute at a high, high level. Jake Elliott was perfect when the Eagles needed him. I mean everything about today (aside from not scoring in the 1st quarter again) was as high level as you would want to see out of the Eagles to fully believe this team is back on the right path.
This isn't just a team that can make the playoffs anymore. This is a team that could, and should, win the division. This is a team that can go on a run, be one of the most dominant teams in the NFC, and maybe win themselves a trip to New Orleans in February. This team is so back.
Sidenote: I've been highly critical of Nick Sirianni over the last few weeks/months. I have no problem right now saying that everything the Eagles are doing is looking great, and that there are zero changes that need to be made to the coaching staff right now.