The Eagles dropped to 2-1 after a flat showing on Monday Night Football against the Bears. It was a depressing loss to say the least, and there’s blame to go around for the Eagles lack of juice. The team only had one rookie make any meaningful contributions.
Makai Lemon: C-
I am just as perplexed as the rest of you. On one end, Makai Lemon’s numbers have improved every week this year, but the bar is really low. He went from negative five yards in the Washington game, to 14 yards in Tennessee and then he put up 29
in the game last night. Lemon had a nice catch downfield in the first half where he broke some tackles and picked up yards after catch. And he had another similar catch later in the game.
But Sean Mannion once again insisted on using Lemon on a bizarre screen attempt that lost yardage. Funny enough, Lemon picked up three yards on that play after the catch, but the play was so far behind the line that it still lost three yards.
On the season, Lemon has seven catches for 38 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per reception. Lemon has been targeted on three screens this season that have lost 11 total yards. On the rest of his receptions, he has 49 yards on four catches. I don’t really understand why Mannion keeps running these screens. I don’t mind Lemon lining up in the backfield to create mismatches, but the Eagles have not established a strong screen game yet and don’t seem to have the personnel to block for it. Maybe it improves, but it’s head-scratching every time it happens.
Other Observations
- I hate to say it, but Cam Jurgens is unplayable. I’d have to guess there is a health thing that is limiting him, or perhaps it’s the move to left guard, but it’s hard to watch him struggle out there. While Willie Lampkin is the next in line to get guard snaps, you have to wonder if Micah Morris or even Markel Bell will see any time on the starting line this season.
- The Eagles need Eli Stowers to make an impact when he comes off injured reserve. The Zach Ertz thing feels good, but it’s hard to see him making a real impact this year. E.J. Jenkins and Johnny Mundt are not filling in well as blockers or pass catchers. While the hope should be Dallas Goedert makes a triumphant healthy return in a few weeks, Philly needs more from its second-round pick sooner than later.
