Jaguars vs. Eagles Game Review | November 3, 2024

4. Saquon Barkley is simply a great football player who strives for perfection

Barkley didn't think about his touchdown catch or his 159 rushing yards and a touchdown on 27 carries or all the hard yards he gained after the game. He is his own harshest critic and he was not happy that he fumbled and Jacksonville recovered and returned it for a touchdown (Travon Walker, 35 yards) and that the score put the Jags at 22-16 and the Eagles narrowly had to win that End.

“I knew it was going to be a fumble. This happened to me last year and that makes it hurt even more. You don't let it hurt in the moment, but it hurts more because you have to learn from your mistakes.” Barkley said. “I have to do a better job of standing up and taking them down. I tried, but I didn't “I didn't get it done, so I have to go back to the basics and control the ball better.”

But there's also a lot of good to work with here – he now has over 1,000 scrimmage yards (he has 925 rushing yards) and has scored eight touchdowns in eight games (six rushing, two receiving) – joining LeSean McCoy (2011) the only players in franchise history to reach these numbers so early in the season.

Of course there is the regression that everyone will be talking about in the coming days.

“It was the best game I’ve ever seen,” said head coach Nick Sirianni. “And I had no choice but to give it – I gave out game balls for special plays this year. Apparently Nakobe gets one. Ends the game with a walk-off interception? Would you probably call that a walk-off interception? That's what you assume.” I would call it that, even if you have to take three knees. They should allow one to move on to the next piece.

“But I think Saquon's game is so cool that there will be kids all over the country and all over Philadelphia – I'm really thinking about it – trying to get this game going, talking about this game and watching this game simulate like they do.” “Play backyard soccer or pee-wee soccer.” They won't be able to do it because I think he's the only one in the world who can do it.

5. The Eagles have playmakers at linebacker

We've seen the Eagles have their ups and downs at linebacker over the years, but there's no doubt that they're excelling at the position this season. Baun had another great game – 10 total tackles, one interception, two passes defensed, one tackle for loss – and was a force all season long. Dean made an incredible interception in the end zone to preserve the win, and his comfort, confidence and performance have increased each week.

“I always feel like I’m going to have a big game,” Baun said. “It’s a mentality thing. You have to anticipate it. You have to imagine it. You always have to want it.”

These two are a great linebacking tandem and a strength in this defense. There is simply no way around it.

“It's so fun when the work you do in the dark shows up in the light,” Sirianni said. “I really see that with these two guys, with all the work they’ve put in.”

6. DeVonta Smith continues to amaze

The Eagles lost wide receiver AJ Brown to a knee injury early in the third quarter and the offense needed a play, so…who…would…make it? Uh, hello, DeVonta Smith, who followed his great touchdown catch in Cincinnati (45 yards) with an amazing catch – with one arm, his right, catching a throw from Hurts over his shoulder – and somehow, unbelievably, got to his feet Inbounds to give the Eagles a 28-16 lead in the fourth quarter. Unreal.

“If he (AJ Brown) goes down, I feel like I have to step up. For myself, I’m always up for the challenge,” Smith said. “They started changing their coverage and playing more one-on-one. Just let me do what I do.”

The Eagles needed all of these points and will no doubt look to correct some areas where they know they need to improve. So there is room to grow here. But a win is a win is a win and here we are 6-2 and ready for Dallas!