NFL Week 2 takeaways: Eagles best in NFC, Broncos most disappointing
Another week of NFL action is in the books, and there is a bit more clarity on how teams will potentially look this season. The Philadelphia Eagles dismantled the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 on Monday night, and it could have been even worse. Philadelphia’s offseason moves on both sides of the ball have made a huge difference in its football team. Acquiring A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans has unlocked Jalen Hurts, giving him a reliable weapon that he can depend on over and over again.
Defensively, the Eagles added an abundance of talent with the additions of James Bradberry, Haason Reddick, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kyzir White, and Jordan Davis have solidified a defense that could be a top unit throughout the season.
NFL Week 2 reactions and takeaways: Philadelphia Eagles look like the class of the NFC
One question mark going into week two for the Philadelphia Eagles was if they could sure up their run defense. Philadelphia gave up 181 rushing yards to Detroit in week one on 28 attempts, but the Eagles shut down that concern on Monday night, holding Dalvin Cook to 17 yards on six carries. Although Cook was only handed the ball six times, that is a credit to the Eagles’ defense for taking Minnesota’s offense out of its rhythm throughout the game.
Everyone knows that the Vikings’ offense runs through Justin Jefferson, and Darius Slay blanketed Jefferson, containing him for 48 yards on six catches. Slay had five passes defended and two interceptions that could have easily been four or five if not for drops.
Monday’s performance is not the only reason why I believe the Eagles are the best team in the NFC. As roster construction goes, the Eagles truly have no blemishes on the depth chart, and it shows with how easy they dominate on both sides of the ball. Philadelphia arguably has the best offensive and defensive lines in the NFL, and their rushing attack opens up so much for their offense. Going into the season, I had my doubts about Jalen Hurts, and yes, he is not the prototypical distributor of the football, but he is efficient and moves the ball down the field.
Through two games, Hurts has completed 69.8 percent of his pass attempts with a 97.1 QBR. Although the 24-year-old quarterback has only thrown for one touchdown, Hurts has run for three touchdowns, and his rushing ability is what makes this offense very dangerous.
When looking at the rest of the NFC, the Eagles clearly have the best roster, and while there seem to be major question marks and distractions for other teams in the NFC – the Eagles have a clear identity and know who they are.