Philadelphia Eagles

Falling or Balling: How the Philadelphia Eagles Faired in Season Opener

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) shakes hands with Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles first game is in the books, and they came away with the win. There were ups and downs. So, coming out of an exciting roller coaster ride at the Linc’ on Sunday afternoon, here are some players that balled out against the Cleveland Browns and some that didn’t play as well as we would hope.

Let’s begin.

Balling: Carson Wentz

What a game for the rookie signal caller! After only playing 37 snaps in the pre-season, Wentz prepped himself like he was a veteran, and it showed on the field. Wentz threw for 278 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and went 22/37 on his passes (there were four drops). That’s good for a 101.0 QB rating in Wentz’s first game.

Wentz was making fantastic throws, helping receivers get open, commanding the huddle, and changing plays and protections at the line of scrimmage. I know it’s only one game and it was against the Browns, but there’s a lot to look forward to with the franchise quarterback.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Rodney McLeod (23) breaks up a pass play intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman (19) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Balling: Rodney McLeod

McCleod looks like he has been playing in Philly for years. The leadership and intelligence just jump out at you when you watch him play, Sunday was no different. McLeod recorded the only interception of the game and made play after play.

He came up and helped stop the run. He made big time tackles on third down and pretty did everything else you can ask of him. McLeod played sideline to sideline in a big win where the defense stepped up big with a forced safety, three sacks, and a turnover.

Balling: Jordan Matthews

If you’re an Eagles fan that missed most or all of the pre-season, you may not have known what to expect. Minus a bad drop on the first drive, Matthews made some really tough catches and had a big game. He recorded seven receptions for 114 yards and had a fantastic touchdown in the corner of the end-zone during the first quarter. When asked about Wentz in a post-game interview, Matthews said “he was great” and “showed a veteran mindset”.

With the chemistry that’s being built between Matthews and his new quarterback, there could be a new “bromance” brewing.

Balling: Zach Ertz

Quietly, Ertz had a great game. He established himself as a consistent target and as Wentz’s security blanket. Ertz pretty much caught everything thrown his way as he totaled six catches on seven targets and wound up with 58 yards receiving. Again, he didn’t have a lot of yards and didn’t score, but he established himself in a new role that will benefit the team down the road.

Did you see that one-handed catch at the beginning of the game?!?! That was fantastic!

Now we just have to see when he’ll be playing again.

Honorable mention: Jalen Mills & Nelson Agholor

Nelson Agholor also had a better game than many expected. He caught four of the five passes he was targeted on for 57 yards, and he was on the receiving end of a touchdown where he beat Pro Bowl corner Joe Haden.

Honorable mention also has to be given to Jalen Mills. Why you ask? After Leodis McKelvin left the game with injury, Mills played very well. He did a great job in coverage and came up with some big time stops on third down.

Falling: Offensive line

With it being a new year, everyone thought the Eagles’ offensive line would play more consistent ball than they did last season. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case against the Browns. There were penalties that killed drives and some hot and cold play, but the Eagles’ offensive line just didn’t play consistent football.

Jason Kelce got pushed around constantly ( PFFs worst center of week one). The rest of the line, as a unit, look real good. Again, it’s all about consistency in the NFL, and it only takes one play to make or break someone. The line needs to do a better job of creating a clean pocket for Wentz who got hit way too much. The running game was also toug to watch, at times, due to poor blocking. This unit needs to get it together and play more consistent football before an injury occurs due to their poor play.

Falling: Nolan Carroll

Nolan Carroll had a really strong off-season and pre-season. It seemed Carroll had arrived. He appeared to be a lock to start. He did, and though the defense didn’t play too bad overall, the two biggest pass plays of the day both came from the Browns. Both featured Carroll in coverage, and, in both, he lost those battles. Carroll is very likable and can succeed, but he needs to stay consistent. He just can’t have the type of game he had Sunday.

Dec 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles (43) warms up before action against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Falling: Darren Sproles

Aside from his performance on special teams, Darren Sproles had a down game on Sunday against the Browns. He had five carries for 12 yards and caught two of his five targets for 24 yards. It was just an uninspiring performance that Sproles wish he could take back.

One thing that was interesting about Sunday was the fact that Pederson put him in for more snaps than Ryan Mathews and Sproles lined up all over the field. That could mean that Pederson has alot of plans for Sproles when bigger games come up down the road.

Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis (6) kicks a field during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Falling: Caleb Sturgis

Sturgis beat out Cody Parkey for the kicker position, but he didn’t really play well in the first game of the season. The plus is he made good on every extra point attempt Sunday, but he went 2-4 on field goal attempts, missing his first attempt of the season from 46 yards out.