By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor
The Eagles Jekyll and Hyde season continued as they fell to 1-5 on the road this season with a 26-15 loss in Seattle.
Don't let the final score fool you. This was a poorly played game and the Eagles were massively outplayed by their counterparts.
Here are this week's grades.
Pass Offense – D+
Not a great game for Carson Wentz, who much like the rest of the Eagles offense, saw their numbers padded in garbage time on a late touchdown drive that didn't mean much. Wentz had two interceptions, including one where Kam Chancellor watched the rookie QB's eyes the entire way. Wentz also had overthrowns, underthrows, poor throws and his decision-making was questionable. Some of that was due to the offensive line not allowing Wentz a lot of time, but it was still not a performance the rookie can hang his hat on. He has things to work on before Green Bay next Monday.
That being said, this game has a totally different outlook if the Eagles had anybody who could catch. Nelson Agholor? I'm done giving him chances to prove he's anything more than a first-round bust. Making a mental mistake by not lining up on the line of scrimmage — negating a 57-yard touchdown that would have given the Eagles the lead — and also adding a brutal drop in there as well is just unacceptable.
Jordan Matthews was good for another drop as well. At one point, the Eagles wide receivers as a whole had as many receiving yards as Russell Wilson. Pretty much says it all.
The bright spot was Zach Ertz. Even with the 57-yard touchdown taken away, Ertz did have a touchdown for four yards and was much more involved in the offense. That was good to see and hopefully it continues down the stretch of the season.
Run Offense – C+
It's a little difficult to put a grade on things when the Eagles were without two of their running backs for half of the game. All in all, Wendell Smallwood and Kenjon Barner had pretty good days given their usage. Ryan Mathews was on pace for another solid game again too. He just can't seem to stay healthy. Darren Sproles being lost for half the game hurt too. Playing from behind didn't allow the Eagles much ability to use the run either.
Pass Defense – D
The touchdown pass to Russell Wilson was a disaster. Wilson also completed a touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham where God only knows what Jaylen Watkins was doing.
The icing on the cake was actually a big play to Doug Baldwin. This is Seattle's leading receiver, and while the Eagles forced Wilson to make adjustments and avoid a sack in the pocket, he had the time and connected on a pass to Baldwin. Why? Because Baldwin was not covered at all, from the time the ball was snapped until the pass was completed.
The Eagles secondary obviously doesn't compare to Seattle's, but this was pitiful and showed just how much work the Eagles unseasoned cornerbacks need and how much they still need to improve at the position.
Run Defense – B
The Seahawks carried the ball 30 times, and for 29 of them, the Eagles were good defensively. On 29 of the 30 carries, the Eagles allowed an average of 2.8 yards. The one other rush was a 72-yard touchdown run for C.J. Prosise that set the tone for the day. While the Eagles erased that early touchdown to take the lead briefly, it was just another way for Seattle to attack as they did all day.
Special Teams – C+
It was even an average day for the Eagles special teams unit. Nothing special. Caleb Sturgis hit two extra points. Donnie Jones was solid on punts and the Eagles return teams were just not able to make their mark on the game.
The only standout play on special teams came on a Seattle extra-point attempt. Bennie Logan blocked it to give Seattle just a 6-0 lead after the game's first touchdown.
Overall – D+
Mistakes are still a problem, but there's a difference between mistakes and a lack of fundamentals. Wentz had a mistake-filled game, there's no question about it. But in terms of fundamentals, Wentz is still showing he has the makings of a quality NFL starting quarterback. He obviously will need growth and unfortunately it's hard to mold a rookie's confidence with everything else crumbling down around him.
The Eagles receivers, for example, are starting to show a lack of fundamentals. The catching ability of this group is atrocious. Having a touchdown negated for illegal formation by not lining up on the line of scrimmage just cannot happen. The complete lack of coverage in the secondary at times is bad play calling and bad execution.
The Eagles have some more favorable matchups down the stretch this season — the three divisional games can go any which way, the Packers are 4-5 this season and the Ravens are level with the Eagles at 5-5 — but this team pretty much has the makings of what it is through 10 games, a .500 team, just like last season, that isn't really trending up or down at the moment.