Dallas Goedert is prepared for any role the coaches have in mind for him on gameday. He has said repeatedly that if he's more blocker-heavy one week, that's fine. If he's more of a pass-catching threat, that's great, too.
Whatever he needs to help the Eagles win.
On Sunday in New Orleans, Goedert was featured in the passing game. Oh boy, was he featured. Eleven targets, 10 receptions, 170 yards – all career highs. The 170 yards were the most by an Eagles tight end since Pete Retzlaff had 204 yards on November 14, 1965 against Washington.
In the opening two games, Goedert had 7 receptions for 69 yards and played well in the blocking game. On Sunday, with wide receiver A.J. Brown ruled out before the game and wide receiver DeVonta Smith injured heading into the fourth quarter, Goedert dominated in the passing game.
And it sure felt great.
"We had plays that were called for me," Goedert said. "A little bit more than the first couple games. But, like I said, anytime my number gets called, I'm going to do whatever I can to be able to make a play. It is always fun to be involved, but we have so many special players on this offense that when it's my time, I'm going to do what I can, and when it's A.J.'s, time, he's going to do it, Smitty (Smith), you know, everybody. We got an incredible squad. So, you know, we just have to stay patient and wait for our times."
Who knows what Sunday in Tampa will bring against the Bucs? The Eagles are sorting through injuries on offense to Brown and Smith, along with offensive linemen Lane Johnson and Mekhi Becton. Goedert is ready for whatever comes his way.
"I know my role is to do my best at whatever they ask me to do, and that's my mindset," Goedert said. "Anything I can do to help the team win, that's what I'm going to do. Nothing else matters."
Big-Play Offense Strikes Saints
Chunk plays make a difference in the NFL. They certainly did on Sunday for the Eagles, who had eight offensive plays of 20-plus yards in the win at New Orleans. It is a great sign, especially considering the Eagles had five plays of 20-plus yards in the opening-game win over Green Bay and one play of 20-plus yards in the Week 2 loss against Atlanta.
The Eagles, in case you are keeping track, rank fifth in the NFL in explosive plays with 30 (according to PFF, defined as passing plays of 15+ yards (16) and rushing gains of 10+ yards (14)), a hallmark of any productive offense in this league.
Jalen Hurts again delivers in fourth quarter
Those big plays helped the Eagles win in the fourth quarter for the second time this season when Hurts has been at his best. He led a 5-play, 69-yard scoring drive with 1:05 remaining in regulation to put Philadelphia ahead, 15-12. The drive was capped off with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Saquon Barkley. In the win, Hurts completed 29 of 38 passes for 311 yards and 1 INT. It was his 13th-career 300-yard passing performance. It was also his 10th-career game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime.
The last time Philadelphia won by scoring in the last two minutes of regulation took place on November 20, 2022 at Indianapolis, to beat the Colts, 17-16, scoring the winning touchdown with 1 minute, 20 seconds remaining in the game.
Jalen Carter dominates, but was it enough to satisfy his standards?
It was kind of tough to tell if defensive tackle Jalen Carter was joking in the locker room after Sunday's win about his performance: He had four tackles, two for loss, and two passes deflected, and he generally dominated the line of scrimmage. Took it over. Wreaked havoc.
And then said after that he wasn't all that pleased with his performance. Huh?
"Trash," he said, describing his performance. "I still don't like how I played, but I know that we played good as a team -- that's one thing and I'm happy for that. I think we got some boost in the locker room right now and we just have to move on to next week and get another dub (win)."
What would make Carter happy? Get to the quarterback, baby.
"I don't know, I have to be like Khalil Mack (Chargers linebacker), get like six sacks in one game … nah I'm just playing, but I don't know, I love sacks. I know that's big. I love tackling. I love everything, but I don't know, just getting the dub as a team makes me happy, but I still have to see more out of myself."
We're all for it! More of Carter makes for misery for offensive lines and quarterbacks across the league.
Brandon Graham keeps delivering
The Eagles said all along that keeping Brandon Graham for his franchise-most 15th season was about him contributing to the football team in a lot of ways and nothing more. He certainly has been productive when on the field. Graham played 35 snaps on Sunday and helped a great defensive performance with a couple of tackles and a huge pressure and hit on quarterback Derek Carr that forced an errant pass intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship to effectively end the game.
Graham says he is feeling great and there is more to come.
"Just getting started," he said. "We aren't playing our best ball yet but we're finding a way and that's what matters. We have to put It all together and we will. I'm feeling great out there. Playing hard, loving every minute of it. It feels great to be part of this, to be on the field and help clinch games. That didn't happen last week and we wanted to make sure we slammed the door in this game."
One final thing: Thanks to the fans
At one point in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game in New Orleans, defensive players waved their arms and urged Eagles fans to bring the noise. In New Orleans. And they did. So, this is a big thank you once again for more incredible road support that absolutely made a difference in the win. When Carr was on the field for that final drive, it was loud, and Eagles fans gave their team what sounded like home-field advantage.
Next up: Tampa Bay, where Eagles fans steal the show every time the team plays there.
