This was a rough week for Eagles fans. A loss against the Green Bay Packers was expected, however a QB controversy was not necessarily on the schedule. Carson Wentz could not find a rhythm against a top defense this week, and Jalen Hurts managed to find himself finishing the game. In a poorly run offensive game, it was hard to say who looked great. Neither QB looked that good. The receivers looked stale, the line was under fire all game, and the run was abandoned before the first half ended. One player rose above the rest this week. In just his 6th start, one player shows real potential to be a cornerstone in this offense. Former rugby superstar Jordan Mailata gave his all every single down this week, protecting both his quarterbacks. Another solid performance under the 23-year old’s belt, and it’s earned him Offensive Player of the Week.
Eagles Offensive Lineman for Offensive Player of the Week?
It’s always hard to pick an offensive lineman to be the player of the week. They rarely catch touchdowns, and they don’t have flashy skills. They aren’t fun to watch. However, to succeed in football, it all starts in the trenches. Riddled with injuries, the Eagles offensive line needs players to step up. Jordan Mailata has been the one bright spot of a horrid offensive line. In this week’s game against the Packers, Jordan Mailata gave up 0 sacks and 0 pressures. In just his 6th NFL start, a rugby player was flawless against a defense that has racked up 31 sacks this year. While the rest of the offensive line may have played relatively poorly, the blindside held up all day. Mailata ranked 2nd among all linemen in pass blocking. He showed power, poise, and proper technique as he continues to develop into a potential star. At just 23 years old, Mailata has demonstrated incredible ability and has the makings of a true starting lineman.
Eagles Long-shot Turning into Potential Stud
Playing against the Green Bay Packers was no easy task for anyone on this Eagles team. However, Jordan Mailata stepped up and played phenomenally this week. As the birds look to face off against the red hot Saints, Mailata also looks to keep his performance hot. It won’t be an easy game by any means. Jordan Mailata will need another big performance to keep starting QB Jalen Hurts off the ground. If week 13’s game was any indication of the skill possessed by Mailata, then the Eagles have a serious stud that will look to bolster the offensive line in 2021. Linemen don’t always get the appreciation they deserve in this sport. Without their constant effort, the game wouldn’t be the same. Regardless of position, Mailata made it clear he was the best player on the Eagles offense Sunday afternoon and deserved the title of OPOTW.