As for Sunday night's game, a competitive one even with the Eagles missing so many key players with injury, here are some observations …
1. Good job by the offensive line when Hurts played quarterback, with Matt Pryor at left tackle and Brett Toth at right tackle, the 14th starting combination for the O-line this season. Working against a terrific Washington front, the line held up, particularly on the edges. It was nothing spectacular, but the Eagles learned something about Toth in his first NFL start. He's something to work with. Pryor isn't a tackle, but the fact that he can help a team at both guard spots and both tackle spots gives him a chance to play in the NFL for a long, long time.
2. Jalen Reagor left the game in the first half with a head injury. Reagor played in 11 games and had 31 receptions for 396 yards and a touchdown. He's certainly got some explosiveness, but Reagor has to stay healthy. The offense could have used a lot more from Reagor in 2020.
3. Hurts played three quarters and he managed things pretty well, leading the offense to 14 points. Hurts recognized when Washington brought pressure and he was decisive when he left the pocket. Hurts also threw the ball well from the pocket and, despite the threat of Washington's speed and attacking defense, Hurts kept his composure and moved the offense. He threw an interception when tight end Zach Ertz couldn't untangle himself from coverage. Hurts, in his fourth start, had a most impressive performance, given everything the Eagles had going on with the shifting personnel on offense.
4. Finally, a Greg Ward pass. The former collegiate quarterback made a nifty move to roll away from pressure and connect with wide receiver Travis Fulgham for a 15-yard gain. The Eagles tried another one with wide receiver John Hightower, but the play was blown up and Hightower ended up running for 1 yard.
5. Tackle Javon Hargrave was forceful inside, as were his tacklemates Malik Jackson and Raequon Williams, each of whom had a quarterback sack. Washington didn't do a whole lot offensively with a gimpy Alex Smith running the show at quarterback. Darius Slay did a nice job on wide receiver Terry McLaurin but wasn't in coverage when McLaurin caught his touchdown pass. McLaurin lined up against Grayland Arnold and ran to the corner and separated for the catch.
6. Marcus Epps is giving the Eagles something to think about as they figure out who is going to play safety next season. He had a spectacular interception as he came up in coverage against running back J.D. McKissic, popping McKissic and stealing the ball away on a short pass at the same time. The play set the Eagles up at Washington's 15-yard line late in the third quarter, a possession that died on a fourth-down throw into the end zone. Epps has been around the football a lot in the last few games – he also had an interception in Arizona – and with Rodney McLeod returning from a torn ACL and Jalen Mills due to be a free agent in March, Epps has to at least be in the conversation.
6. The Eagles missed Miles Sanders' size and power in the running game in short-yardage situations and in the red zone. Hurts had two runs for touchdowns, but after that Epps takeaway, the lack of a running game inside the 10-yard line was glaring. The Eagles could use more depth at running back – along with size – to complement Sanders. Boston Scott had some nice numbers with 15 carries and 65 yards, but the lack of success on the ground inside the 10-yard line has been an issue all season.
7. Nate Sudfeld was in a tough spot and it showed. He hadn't played in three seasons. He was rusty and had no timing and he turned the football over on his first two possessions and failed to move the offense as Washington teed off on him and took advantage of his lack of mobility. I remember a reporter asking Doug Pederson, and this is true, just before the 2017 playoffs started how long it would take for Pederson to think about replacing Nick Foles with Sudfeld. The lack of reps and practice time and game situations for Sudfeld make it so difficult to perform.
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Season ends with a 20-14 loss and a lot to talk about - PhiladelphiaEagles.com
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