From Day 1 of the offseason all the way in which as much as Sunday’s Tremendous Bowl LVII conflict with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, here’s a take a look at the moments that outlined the 2022 Philadelphia Eagles soccer group.
Signing Haason Reddick to revive the cross rush
There weren’t precisely loads of nice issues in regards to the 2021 Eagles, who completed 9-8 and didn’t stand out in lots of phases, particularly when it got here to the cross rush. They completed that season with 29 sacks, the second-fewest of any NFL group.
That’s why the Eagles made it a precedence to bolster the cross rush within the ensuing offseason, and so they did simply that by touchdown Haason Reddick on a three-year, $45 million deal. It was a little bit of a danger contemplating Reddick had simply 7.5 sacks throughout his first 48 video games in Arizona after being the thirteenth decide within the 2017 NFL Draft.
Nonetheless, Reddick would escape over the subsequent two seasons, recording 24.5 sacks throughout 32 video games earlier than signing with the Eagles. Was that the man Philly was getting, or would Reddick lose a few of his edge after getting his huge payday?
Not solely did he dwell as much as the deal, however Reddick additionally took his sport to a different degree in Philly. He completed the 2022 common season with a career-best 16 sacks to go along with an 81.1 Professional Soccer Focus grade after his earlier excessive was 72.8 in 2020.
In simply two playoff video games to this point, Reddick has recorded 3.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, two tackles for loss, one compelled fumble, and one fumble restoration.
You’d be laborious pressed to search out any free agent signing who made a much bigger influence on his group this season than Reddick, as evidenced by the Eagles ending first within the league in complete sacks (70) after being virtually lifeless final within the earlier season.
The blockbuster commerce for A.J. Brown
Coming off a one-and-done playoff journey that ended with a shellacking by Tampa Bay within the Wild Card spherical, it was clear the Eagles wanted to make a number of splash strikes to make the leap from being a fringe playoff group to a official title contender.
After doing so for the protection with Reddick, the offense made its huge splash due to a seismic commerce with the Tennessee Titans for A.J. Brown, one of many sport’s greatest younger receivers who immediately grew to become Philly’s greatest offensive weapon, in trade for the 18th and one hundred and first total picks within the 2022 NFL Draft.
Additionally they gave Brown, coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, a four-year, $100 million extension that ought to tie him to franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts for the foreseeable future.
Brown completed the common season ranked:
- thirteenth in catches (88).
- Fourth in receiving yards (1,496).
- Tied for third in receiving touchdowns (11).
- Fourth in yards per catch (17.0).
- Sixth in complete yards after catch (548).
- Fifth in catches of 20+ yards (23).
Together with fellow receiver DeVonta Smith and stud tight finish Dallas Goedert, the Eagles passing offense would end the 2022 common season ranked ninth total in comparison with their rating of twenty fifth within the 2021 season. Additionally they went from being twelfth in scoring offense in 2022 to 3rd this previous season.
That commerce was such a steal for the Eagles that it additionally in all probability helped the Titans GM get fired over it.
Touchdown James Bradberry from division rival
Whereas Haason Reddick was arguably the NFL’s greatest free-agent signing, and A.J. Brown was arguably the most important commerce acquisition, James Bradberry has a case as the very best discount signing of 2022. What made it even higher was it got here on the expense of a division rival.
Again in Could, the Giants launched Bradberry to avoid wasting simply over $10 million in cap area. Although he’s had an up-and-down profession, Bradberry has usually been a serviceable beginning cornerback, however the Giants determined it was time to maneuver on.
Boy, are the Eagles glad they did.
Only a few weeks later, Philly signed Bradberry to a one-year deal value $7.25 million. He would end the common season with a team-high 17 cross deflections to go along with three interceptions and a 74.1 PFF grade, the second-highest mark of the seven-year veteran’s profession. Bradberry even completed first in opposing passer score when focused (minimal of 20% of the defensive snaps performed).
The Eagles additionally completed as the highest passing protection this season and have but to permit a passing landing this postseason. Secure to say this was a grand slam of a signing.
Historic begin to the common season
It didn’t take lengthy for the 2022 Eagles to make historical past. Previous to this season, the Eagles’ greatest begin ever was their 7-0 begin to the 2004 season, and that group went on to make the Tremendous Bowl.
This time, the Eagles hit the 8-0 mark earlier than dropping their first sport. Their +90 level differential via the primary eight video games was additionally the very best within the NFC and second solely to the Payments (+102) to that time.
Not solely was this a terrific achievement, nevertheless it additionally gave the Eagles a lead within the race for the NFC’s prime seed with 9 video games remaining. That proved essential down the stretch when Jalen Hurts was injured (extra on that later), and the Eagles ended up barely successful the No. 1 seed to earn dwelling subject benefit all through the NFC playoffs, in addition to a bye week in Wild Card Weekend.
Overcoming the Jalen Hurts damage
It seemed just like the 2022 Eagles may have an unlucky parallel to the 2017 Tremendous Bowl-winning group in that their beginning quarterback suffered a big damage late within the common season.
The 2017 group noticed Carson Wentz tear his ACL in Week 14 earlier than Nick Foles took over. Although these Eagles struggled to the regular-season end line, they nonetheless received the NFC’s prime seed and in the end went on to win the Tremendous Bowl.
This 12 months, Jalen Hurts suffered a proper shoulder sprain vs. the Chicago Bears in Week 15 that ended up sidelining him for 2 video games, each of which the Eagles misplaced, opening the door for a number of different groups to doubtlessly win the NFC’s prime seed. It additionally gave the rival Dallas Cowboys an opportunity to steal the division away.
Fortunately, Hurts returned in Week 18, and the Eagles have received each sport since then to make the championship sport.
Nonetheless, Hurts’ numbers have taken a dip, particularly in relation to throwing to the suitable aspect of the sector. He’s clearly going to play within the Tremendous Bowl, however that is nonetheless one thing to observe since he received’t be 100% wholesome vs. the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
If the Eagles lose and Hurts doesn’t play effectively, this shoulder damage might be seemed again upon because the second Philly successfully misplaced the Tremendous Bowl.
Holding off the Giants to lock up the NFC’s prime seed
Going into Week 18, the Eagles wanted a win to safe the NFC East and the No. 1 total seed within the NFC. It seemed like it will be a cakewalk at dwelling vs. a Giants group resting lots of their greatest gamers.
Nonetheless, this was Hurts’ first sport again from damage, and it was clear he wasn’t the identical as he completed with a 22.8 QBR, the second-worst mark he’s had this season (playoffs included). The offense struggled all through and mustered up simply 22 factors, however the protection did simply sufficient to carry the Giants to 16 factors and 284 yards of offense en path to a 22-16 victory.
After getting a bye throughout Wild Card Weekend, the Eagles appeared to get again to type, successful playoff video games vs. New York and the San Francisco 49ers by a mixed 69-14 margin.
Very good, certainly.
