The 2019 Eagles Midseason Awards
Eight games have come and gone, which means that the Birds are officially at the halfway point of their schedule. While few fans predicted a 4-4 start, the Eagles are still in a great position to take over the NFC East.
Through eight games of the season, the Birds have shown that they can compete at a very high level. Consistency is their only problem.
In week two, the Eagles gave the Atlanta Falcons their only win of the season thus far. Two weeks later, the Birds served the Green Bay Packers their only loss of the season.
It truly has been a tale of two teams. We have seen the emergence of some key players while also seeing the regression of some proven veterans.
Most Valuable Offensive Player: QB Carson Wentz
Photo via: NJ.com
Don’t overthink it. Not only is he playing the hardest position in sports, but he is one of the brightest, young signal-callers in the NFL today.
While the Eagles’ record is a mere 4-4, Wentz has put the Birds in a winning position in multiple losses. He can’t throw AND catch the ball.
His stat-line won’t blow you away, but it is still impressive nonetheless: 62.1% / 1,821yds / 14 TD / 4 INT / 94.0
He ranks 17th in the NFL in passing yards, but seventh in touchdown passes. His surrounding cast hasn’t been as productive as one would have hoped for, but there are reasons to believe that it’ll get better for Wentz.
Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard are finally finding traction on the field. The coaching staff seemingly has found a way to utilize both running backs to their strengths. Desean Jackson is getting healthier every week as well. He may even see the field this week versus the Chicago Bears.
Things could be better for the Philadelphia offense, but Wentz is the reason that they’re even in the fight.
Most Valuable Defensive Player: DE Brandon Graham
Photo via: NBCSports
To start, it is more than okay if you feel that Fletcher Cox deserves this award. Statistics don’t do Cox justice as his mere presence is a game-changer.
While this is true, Brandon Graham has been the motor for this defense all season.
Graham initially believed he wouldn’t be back in midnight green for the 2019 season.
When speaking to NBC Sports after the Eagles’ 2019 playoff loss to the Saints, Graham didn’t sound sold on whether he’d be playing in Philadelphia any longer:
“It has been a long road, it has been nine years. I do not have any regrets, I have enjoyed this time if it is the end.”
Thankfully for the Eagles, it wasn’t the end.
Brandon Graham returned for the 2019 season and now leads the team in sacks with five. Graham also leads the entire defensive line in tackles with 29.
His leadership, on and off the field, was the reason he and Howie Roseman inked a $40-million deal. He has consistently provided pressure off the edge all season and has surely outplayed the rest of the defense.
Biggest Let-Down: WR Nelson Agholor
Photo via: NBCSports
It would be too easy to pick on Desean Jackson for this award; especially because it’s not his fault that he is injured. Any member of the Eagles’ secondary would also be acceptable.
One could argue that if Nelson Agholor plays at even an average level, the Birds would be one or two wins richer.
When Desean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery went down with injuries in a week two matchup against the Falcons, everyone knew Nelson Agholor must step up.
He didn’t.
In the final moments of the fourth quarter, Agholor dropped a beautifully placed touchdown pass from Carson Wentz that would have put the team ahead.
In eight games, Nelson Agholor has 261 receiving yards; less than rookie running back Miles Sanders. Jackson managed to put up 154 receiving yards in one single game.
After numerous drops in the early-going of his career, it seemed as if all was solved after his 2017 campaign. Sadly, it seems as if the drops have made their way back.
Biggest Surprise: SS Rodney McLeod
Photo via: PhiladelphiaEagles.com
Rodney Mcleod has always been a solid player for the Eagles. He signed with Philly in 2016 and has since helped them win their first Super Bowl.
Through his tenure with the Birds, his on-field play has reached a new high. McLeod has been all over the field making plays.
His surprising improvement has aided the Birds defense immensely. He currently leads the entire team in tackles (45) and has one interception on the season.
While the cornerbacks for the Eagles certainly have their struggles, McLeod and Malcolm Jenkins have come together to form one of the best safety tandems in the NFL this season. He’ll be 30 next season. This would be alarming had he not played extraordinarily well this season; however, McLeod is proving that he is just getting started.
- All statistics: ProFootballReference.com - Featured Image: insidetheiggles.com
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