The Eagles were special on special teams against the Giants. Can they keep it up in the playoffs?
Jake Elliott was named the NFC's special teams player of the week for Week 18, marking the third time an Eagle has earned that distinction this season.
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott was named the NFC special teams player of the week Wednesday after he converted a career-high five field goal attempts during the team’s 22-16 victory over the Giants in Week 18.
All 16 of Elliott’s points (five field goals, one extra-point) proved to be crucial in a game that was decided by six points. With long snapper Rick Lovato and punter/holder Brett Kern, Elliott’s field goals were from 54, 52, 39, 32, and 22 yards. By defeating the Giants, the Eagles clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed and the NFC East title.
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Elliott represents the team’s ninth weekly NFC honor from this season:
Week 1: CB Zech McPhearson, special teams player of the week
Week 2: CB Darius Slay, defensive player of the week
Week 3: DE Brandon Graham, defensive player of the week
Week 4: LB Haason Reddick, defensive player of the week
Week 5: K Cameron Dicker, special teams player of the week
Week 12: QB Jalen Hurts, offensive player of the week
Week 13: Hurts, offensive player of the week
Week 14: Graham, defensive player of the week
Week 18: K Elliott, special teams player of the week
*Additionally, Hurts was named NFC player of the month in September.
The Eagles’ special teams had their share of ups and downs throughout the season, and there are still concerns at punter. Arryn Siposs remains on injured reserve with a left ankle injury sustained Dec. 11, and the veteran Kern has been underwhelming since joining the team (10 punts, 40.8-yard average, just one punt inside the 20). But the unit put together a strong performance in the regular-season finale.
The Giants attempted three trick plays on special teams but were unsuccessful in each attempt.
At the end of the first quarter, the Giants attempted a fake field goal, in which holder/punter Jamie Gillan pulled from his position and rolled out in an attempt to pass the ball downfield. The Eagles quickly sniffed out the trick play, and McPhearson pounced on Gillan to record an unorthodox sack.
“I didn’t sniff out nothing,” McPhearson said with a laugh. “I was going on the blitz side, so my responsibility is to try to block the kick. So I came through free, and I thought I was about to block it because nobody touched me. My eyes were closed for a second. Then I realized he was running with the ball, so I was like, ‘Shoot, let me chase him down and tackle him.’ Got that extra sack for us, and got them off the field.”
Coming out of halftime, the Giants tried to catch the Eagles off guard with an onside kick. The Eagles were lined up in regular kickoff coverage, but rookie linebacker Nakobe Dean was still able to track and secure the football before any Giants arrived. Eagles rookie safety Reed Blankenship recovered a second onside kick later on, effectively cementing the victory.
“I’ve never been part of something special like this,” McPhearson said. “Two years, back-to-back, making it to the playoffs — it’s really two different feelings. This year, we have a lot going for us. We’re taking it one day at a time, but we know the main goal is taking this thing to the Super Bowl. That’s the main thing, for sure.”
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Three Eagles on NFLPA’s All-Pro team
The NFL Players Association announced its inaugural All-Pro team on Wednesday. Three Eagles were listed on the team, as voted on by their NFL peers: center Jason Kelce, right tackle Lane Johnson, and cornerback Darius Slay.