The Philadelphia Eagles suffered their third consecutive loss, adding to what has been a disheartening and tiring losing streak. The team was defeated by the Seattle Seahawks, led by quarterback Drew Lock, and the blame for the loss can be attributed to several factors. Despite the disappointing outcome, there were some positive performances from the Eagles’ rookie players that deserve recognition.

Jalen Carter: B

Jalen Carter managed to secure his first sack since November 5th, showcasing his dominance as a player. He applied impressive pressure on the opposing quarterback, Drew Lock, by overpowering a guard to reach him. Carter continued to pose a threat to Lock whenever he was on the field. However, he struggled to make an impact as a run defender, allowing Kenneth Walker to navigate through the Eagles’ defense with relative ease. Carter’s ability to make a three-down impact will be crucial for the team’s success.

Nolan Smith: B

This game marked Nolan Smith’s best performance as a professional player thus far. He demonstrated tenacity and determination on every snap, excelling in defending against the run and making impactful tackles. While he is still working on becoming a more effective pass rusher, Smith’s resilience and dedication to the game are promising indicators for his future success.

Sydney Brown: C

Sydney Brown’s performance in the game was characterized more by unfortunate circumstances than poor play. He found himself in favorable positions to make crucial plays, but was unable to capitalize on them. Brown struggled with one-on-one tackling opportunities, allowing Kenneth Walker to slip past him. Additionally, he gave up a crucial big play to DK Metcalf, contributing to the Seahawks’ game-winning drive. While Brown’s aggressive playing style is commendable, he needs to refine his tackling technique and exercise more restraint in certain situations.

Kelee Ringo: B+

Kelee Ringo made his first NFL start and impressed with his coverage skills and fearlessness in tackling. He managed to keep up with Seattle’s formidable receivers and made impactful plays, including breaking up a pass to DK Metcalf. Ringo’s performance was a pleasant surprise after several unremarkable weeks, indicating that the Eagles can depend on him to fill in for veteran player Darius Slay while he recovers from surgery.

Eli Ricks: B-

Eli Ricks, who rotated in as a third cornerback during the game, demonstrated improvement in his coverage skills after experiencing a slump in recent months. While his coverage plays were noteworthy, his performance as a run defender left much to be desired, particularly in his inability to display physicality during Kenneth Walker’s touchdown run. Ricks has the potential for growth, but needs to further develop his abilities as a run defender.

The Rest

• Tyler Steen did not play despite Cam Jurgens being out with injury. The Eagles opted to play Sua Opeta at right guard, a peculiar decision considering Steen had previously been benched in favor of Opeta earlier in the season.
• Tanner McKee was inactive despite concerns about Hurts’ health. This decision suggests the team’s confidence in Hurts’ ability to play the entirety of the game.