A.J. Brown’s Dominance Continues
It sounds unbelievable to say, but A.J. Brown has been better in 2023 than he was in 2022. Brown has had at least 125 receiving yards in five straight games. That is tied for the most in NFL history. Through that stretch, he has 41 catches for 701 yards and has scored three touchdowns. Brown was targeted 15 times for 137 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins.
Eagles’ Run Defense Passes Test
The Philadelphia Eagles’ run defense was elite in the first six weeks of the regular season, allowing the fewest rushing yards in the NFL. However, the Eagles had yet to go against a formidable rushing attack. Against the Miami Dolphins, Sean Desai’s defense proved they were capable of shutting down an elite rushing game. The Dolphins had 45 rushing yards.
Jalen Hurts Looks Strong
Jalen Hurts put together an impressive performance on Sunday. He threw for 279 yards on 31 attempts and had three total touchdowns. Hurts’ ability to extend plays repeatedly created opportunities for the Eagles. On his 33 yard completion at the end of the second quarter, Hurts evaded Miami defenders by scrambling which created space for a wide open A.J. Brown downfield. His one mistake, a pick-six to Jerome Baker, was high-variance play that’s unlikely to be repeated in future appearances.
Penalties and Injuries Hold Dolphins Back
In this matchup, the Dolphins had 10 penalties for 70 yards. These penalties often set back Miami’s offense into positions where first down conversions were improbable. Additionally, the Dolphins faced a number of injuries throughout this game. Four of their key starters in Jaylen Waddle, Isaiah Wynn, David Long, and Jevon Holland were injured. The absence of Waddle throughout the majority of the game took pressure off the Eagles secondary, while the injury to Wynn gave the Eagles interior defensive line a favorable matchup. When David Long and Jevon Holland were injured in a collision during the second half, they both had to take multiple snaps off, which weakened Miami’s back seven.
When They Need a Drive…
When the Eagles are in need of a long scoring drive at the end of the fourth quarter, their offense always seems to come through. Against the Miami Dolphins, the Eagles converted a 78 yard, 13 play drive to take a 31 to 17 lead with 4:46 left to go. The drive lasted a total of six minutes and 35 seconds, effectively exhausting all the Miami Dolphins had left.