Philadelphia Eagles: Alshon Jeffery immediately changes offense
By Jeremy Klump
The Philadelphia Eagles felt the return of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in Week 4 and will continue to do so the rest of the season.
The Philadelphia Eagles passing offense was pretty poor the first three weeks of the season. One big reason for that was the health of the receiving corps. No. 1 wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and deep threat Mike Wallace is out for the season. Not having both of these receivers on the field has been evident.
Philly leaned on slot receiver Nelson Agholor the first three weeks, along with the tight end Zach Ertz. However, it was clear they needed a legitimate outside receiver to help and it was clear that, with Jeffery back this week, they had one.
Jeffery caught his first pass of the season and it was a big one, a 31-yard reception on a beautifully thrown ball by Carson Wentz. There was a quick scare after the catch as Jeffery went to the sideline with what looked like an injury, but he was just getting his air after making his presence felt right away.
His 31-yard catch started a day that ended with eight catches for 105 yards and a score. For those who think that Jeffery isn’t a legitimate No. 1 receiver, or someone who thought that the addition of Jeffery wouldn’t save the Eagles passing offense, you were wrong.
Jeffery’s presence elevated everyone around him and made Wentz’s day a little easier, even though Wentz was getting hit all day. Wentz ended the day with 348 yards passing and two scores, which were both season high for the Eagles.
Wentz threw a beautiful pass to Jeffery on the touchdown, but Jeffery showed that he was 100 percent and the skill set he brings to the table when he climbed the ladder and brought it down.
Plays like that are exactly what the Eagles offense needed. This was only Jeffery’s first game back from his surgery and he will only get better. Alshon scored nine touchdowns last season, but with the way the connection between him and Wentz looked on Sunday, he seems to be a guy that will score double digit touchdowns this year.
In a day where there wasn’t much for the Eagles to be happy about, Jeffery’s dominant return was a bright spot.