5. Player to Watch: WR Darius Cooper
The rookie wide receiver caught three passes for 33 yards, with a long of 17 yards. Nothing remarkable. The passing game didn’t get into a lot of rhythm and not a ton stood out. Cooper has made strides this season and he will have a role in the playoffs. Same with Jahan Dotson, who was targeted eight times and caught three passes. Cooper has strength and catches the ball well. He is a good blocker in the running game. This is the kind of game he will use to grow into this second NFL season.
6. Tanner Time: A Tanner McKee review
There were times when McKee, making his first start of the season, looked fast and smooth and decisive and accurate. He had time in the pocket and he found his receivers and put the ball in their hands. But Washington brought so much blitz pressure that it was an uneven performance for McKee, who completed 21 of 40 passes for 241 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was sacked three times and was able to escape pressure several other times. The touchdown pass to Grant Calcaterra was in rhythm, accurate, and perfect. There were, no doubt, a handful of throws that McKee would want back playing against Washington’s starting defense, but that will come with the experience that he gains in his career.
7. Aggressive defense has some bright moments
No question the teaching points from this one will focus on the pass defense. But there were some strong moments – Hunt, who had an interception and a fumble recovery, Jeremiah Trotter, Jr., who had 12 total tackles and blitzed effectively. That was what was noticeable from this one. Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio dialed up the pressure and it was fun to watch. The penalties marred an otherwise pretty darn good performance with just a handful of starters seeing action.
8. Who stood out? Some names from Week 18
No question, Hunt was a strong player. Trotter played well. Joshua Uche was in the backfield a lot of the day. Jihaad Campbell had 10 tackles and was around the football a lot of the game. Kylen Granson caught 4 passes for 30 yards. Michael Carter II flew to the football and was physical.
9. And the bottom line is …
The Eagles are healthy going into the playoffs and that was the goal. They missed an opportunity to grab the No. 2 seed with Detroit’s upset win over Chicago, but that’s the way it worked out. The only thing that matters: Beat San Francisco in the Wild Card Playoff Round and then see how it looks. But being healthy is huge. The Eagles rested their starters, most of them, anyway, and they will use that to their advantage in the week ahead.
