Grading the Eagles: McCoy solid; Johnson emerging; Carroll a stud

Handing out position-by-position grades after re-watching the Eagles' 24-20 loss to the Cardinals:

OFFENSE - B-

Quarterback – C+

After reviewing the replay, Nick Foles' overall performance wasn't bad at all, but he made two costly mistakes and was still fighting pocket awareness and mechanical issues. He occasionally backpedaled without a rush and needlessly threw off his back foot. There were times when he just needed to stand up in the pocket and step into his throws. But Foles seemed to do a better job of throwing the ball away rather than forcing the issue.

Of course, his biggest mistake came in the second quarter when he should have just killed the play on first down at the 25-yard line. Instead, Foles moved to his left, threw off his back foot and tried for Josh Huff. The ball was underthrown and intercepted. On his second interception in the fourth, Foles had plenty of time, but he threw late to an open Riley Cooper.

He made some questionable choices before the half when faced with a constant blitz. The Eagles had advanced to midfield and only needed 10-15 yards to get in Cody Parkey range, but Foles twice threw deep and was errant. In the third, he backpedaled again without pressure and threw off his back foot to Matthews on third down and was incomplete.

On the final drive, he floated a pass over Zach Ertz' head. And on the final play, he faced zero blitz pressure, but had Matthews open in the end zone when his defender fell. Foles threw late and wide and Matthews couldn't get his feet in bounds. Foles struggled against the blitz, completing 9 of 19 passes for 81 yards and an interception, per Pro Football Focus.

There were plenty of positives from his outing, though. Foles hit Matthews for 23 yards on third and long in the first. He sold the misdirection screen touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin with a play-fake. He bought time, rolled outside and purposely underthrew Cooper, who came back for a 50-yard grab in the second. He had other third down conversion passes to Ertz, Maclin, Celek and Ertz again. He stood in and took a pop after he heaved a perfect toss to Maclin for a 54-yard score in the third. Foles stepped into a 22-yard toss to Cooper on the final drive. He lowered his helmet and ran three yards for a 4^th down conversion a few players later. And he hit Maclin for 19 yards on an out route down to the 16-yard line. It was as far as the Eagles would advance.

Running back – B

LeSean McCoy was more productive than his numbers (21 carries for 83 yards) suggested, but he had three carries that lost yards, including a seven-yard loss that was partly his fault when he danced backward. But McCoy mostly took what was given and sometimes made tacklers miss.

He hit a hole on a 13-yard sweep in the first. He gained six, seven and eight yards on other sweeps in the second. McCoy plowed straight ahead for five yards before the half. He shook tacklers and picked up seven yards in the third and nine yards in the fourth on the Eagles' go-ahead drive. He wormed his way up the middle for another nine yards a play later, then seven yards and finally six yards after relinquishing to Chris Polk for a few carries. McCoy was stopped on third down and 1 at the 2-yard line when he was met in the backfield by two Cardinals.

He made a fingertip catch to convert a third down on the Eagles' final series and followed a few plays later with an 8-yard grab.

Chris Polk was in for the injured Darren Sproles, but played just 14 of 92 snaps. He ran straight ahead for four yards in the first and didn't get another tote until the fourth quarter. On successive plays in the red zone, he rushed for six and three yards down to the 2. It looked like he picked up the first down and possibly scored, but Chip Kelly didn't challenge.

Wide receiver – A-

Jeremy Maclin had arguably the best game of his career. He caught five of his 12 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown with cornerback Patrick Peterson covering him. Peterson left with a concussion after his collision with Maclin and Cardinals safety Deone Bucannon. Before that, however, Maclin scooted 21 yards for a touchdown on a perfectly-executed misdirection screen. He pulled in a high pass for 11 yards even though Peterson was called for holding. He turned Peterson around with an out route for 28 yards. He then victimized Jerraud Powers for three catches for 81 yards including the 54-yard touchdown when he beat the cornerback on a deep post. Maclin made catches every which way. It was a dominating performance.

Riley Cooper had his best pass-catching game of the season, pulling in five passes for 88 yards. Aside from the 50-yard catch, he nearly fielded another jump ball when Foles threw deep into double coverage. Cooper burst upfield for a 9-yard screen and went over the middle for 22 yards on the final drive. Officials initially ruled that he was brought down with a horse collar tackle, but they picked up the flag.

Jordan Matthews caught six passes for 47 yards, the longest a 23-yard third down grab in the first. He dropped a pass in the second. He gained 13 yards in the fourth on a short pass off play-action. He made a good effort on Foles' last-play heave.

Josh Huff's fumble has been well documented. He ran the wrong route, per Kelly, and the play appeared busted, but Foles got him the ball. Huff picked up 12 yards after he broke a tackle, but he was caught from behind and fumbled at the Cards 7. He was called for a low block and pass interference when he picked a defender on a Matthews screen in the second. Huff had a short third down conversion reception brought back by a penalty. He had a key block on one of McCoy's 9-yard rushes in the fourth. He played 25 snaps.

Jeff Maehl played 21 snaps. He caught a six-yard pass on third down and five in the third.

Tight end – B

Zach Ertz played 51 percent of the snaps. He converted two third downs with short grabs. He reeled in a low throw over the middle for 15 yards in the second. He gained 15 yards off a play-action flip. On the second to last play of the game, Foles lofted a jump ball to Ertz, who was singled up against Bucannon. The safety made a nice play on the ball, and knocked it away.

Brent Celek stayed into block on 35 of 66 snaps. He had a seal block on McCoy's 13-yard sweep and another on his 8-yard screen in the second. He gave up some pressure in the second and Foles was forced to throw incomplete. Celek caught two passes for eight yards.

James Casey played just four snaps. He had a wicked block on the d-end on McCoy's all-for-naught third down and 1 carry near the goal line.

Offensive line – B

Lane Johnson had perhaps his best game since his return from suspension. He had a key block on the defensive back on Maclin's 21-yard screen touchdown. He got push on McCoy's seven-yard rush in the fourth. McCoy ran ten times to right, often behind Johnson, and gained 53 yards. Johnson held up well in pass protection, but allowed some pressure off the edge in the second and Foles threw the ball away.

Matt Tobin once again had struggles, mostly on passing downs. He allowed three quarterback hurries. He fared well as a run blocker, paving the way for a McCoy 4-yard carry in the first and his 6-yard sweep in the second.

David Molk stood out on McCoy's sweeps, pull blocking and taking out Cardinals. He provided push up the middle when McCoy went between the tackles for five yards in the second. He was late on a third quarter sweep and his man dropped McCoy for a two-yard loss. Molk did fine in pass protection, but may have failed to block a late-rushing linebacker in the third and Foles chucked the ball away.

Jason Peters was solid, per usual, but had some costly errors. He was called for three penalties and had trouble with linebacker Larry Foote, who penetrated into the backfield on McCoy's late third and one try. Peters helped open up some huge running lanes, particularly on McCoy rushes in the fourth.

Todd Herremans had a kick out block on the safety on McCoy's 13-yard sweep. He plowed a path for McCoy on a 9-yard carry in the fourth. He was called for holding in the fourth. He left for three plays with an elbow injury and was replaced by Andrew Gardner, but returned.

DEFENSE - B

Defensive line – B

Fletcher Cox had a quiet day considering how well he had played in the first six games and that he played double the snaps (62) of any other lineman. He held running back Andre Ellington to two yards in the third. Eagles coaches credited him with one quarterback hurry.

Vinny Curry played the next most number of snaps up front (31). He was held in the second, which brought back a 21-yard catch. He shot into the backfield in the third and nearly dropped Carson Palmer, but the quarterback handed off to Ellington who ran 21 yards through a gaping hole.

Cedric Thornton played great in just 30 snaps. He hurried Palmer in the first. He was credited with a 2-yard run stop in the first. He batted a pass at the line in the second. He slipped past a lineman on a rush and drew a holding penalty in the third.

Bennie Logan was active as a run stopper. He ran Ellington down after a 2-yard rush. He stuffed the tailback for no gain in the third. And he dropped him after a 3-yard pickup in the fourth.

Brandon Bair logged ten plays and was credited with a run stop and a hurry. Beau Allen played nine snaps, but didn't make the score sheet.

Outside linebacker – B

Trent Cole hit Palmer as he threw in the first, but an Eagles penalty negated the incomplete pass. He was whistled for roughing the passer when he went high on Palmer in the second, but it was a questionable call. He had the quarterback in his grasp in the third, but Palmer escaped before nearly tossing an interception. Cole got upfield too much on a few positive Ellington runs to his side.

Connor Barwin did a fine job reading two screen passes in the second – one in which Ellington dropped and another when he dropped Ellington for a four-yard loss. Barwin pressured Palmer in the third after he ran a stunt.

Eagles coaches credited Brandon Graham with three hurries. He flushed Palmer out of the pocket in the third and he threw the ball away. Graham set the edge a stopped Ellington behind the line for a loss in the third.

Inside linebacker – B+

DeMeco Ryans made contact with Ellington in the backfield in the first and Thornton cleaned up for the tackle. He stuffed him for a short gain in the second. And he dropped the tailback for a loss in the third. Ryans had coverage when Palmer threw into the ground in the fourth and two plays later broke up a third down pass into the end zone.

Mychal Kendricks returned from a four-game absence and played 22 snaps. He was used mostly in the dime package and dropped into coverage 14 times. He played some nickel in the fourth and Ellington gained six, six and two yards on three straight runs. Kendricks made an open field tackle on receiver Larry Fitzgerald in the fourth. He was called for encroachment in the first.

Emmanuel Acho was on the field for 18 plays. He had coverage on a low throw to Ellington in the third and nearly picked off Palmer later. Casey Matthews logged 14 snaps. He filled a gap on an Ellington carry in the first. He lost Ellington on a short third down completion later.

Cornerback – B

Bradley Fletcher was called for pass interference in the first. He had tight coverage on Michael Floyd on an end zone pass in the first. He appeared to be slightly out of position after Fitzgerald caught a short slant and raced 80 yards for a touchdown in the third.

Cary Williams had solid coverage for much of the day and there were soften times when Palmer had nowhere to throw and simply burned the play. Receiver John Brown got behind him for a 25-yard catch in the second. Williams was credited with three run stops.

Brandon Boykin was targeted early and often. Brown got him for a 9-yard third down conversion in the first. Boykin was called for holding, but he didn't seem to like the call. FOX never showed a replay. Fitzgerald made an impressive diving 30-yard catch in front of Boykin in the first and converted a third down with a 13-yard reception in the second. Boykin pulled up lame chasing Fitzgerald on his long score in the third. He returned and broke up a pass.

Nolan Carroll was stellar in 30 snaps and as the sixth defensive back in the dime. He came up and made a tackle on a short screen in the first. He made an open field run stop after a 3-yard pickup. He broke up a third down pass to the tight end in the second. He again pursued and stopped a short pass for no gain in the third. He broke up a crossing route to Brown in the fourth and left with an injury. A play later, Brown caught a 75-yard touchdown.

Safety – B

Nate Allen made one major blunder and it was a killer on Brown's game-winning touchdown. He bit on the receiver's in-and-out move and couldn't recover. He had a few other dubious moments in the game. He was called for illegal use of the hands in the first and gave the Cards a first down. He appeared to get taken out on the edge and Ellington rushed for five yards. He made a tremendous play in the third, however, when he stripped Ellington and recovered the fumble in bounds.

Malcolm Jenkins had a strong performance. He tackled Ellington for a loss in the first. He made an open field stop on short pass to the fullback in the fourth. He broke up a third down pass in the fourth. He appeared to have a shot to stop Ellington on fourth down in the first, but skirted past. He was picked off on Fitzgerald's touchdown.

SPECIAL TEAMS – A-

Cody Parkey was excellent. He nailed a 54-yard field goal and the fourth quarter chip shot to go ahead and was 5 of 5 on kickoff touchbacks. Donnie Jones dropped two of six punts inside the 20 and had a 38.7-yard net. Maclin struggled to field punts in Sproles' absence, but did have an 18-yard return. Huff returned one kick for 26 yards.