Dontayvion Wicks, aka Donny Candles, just flat-out announced he’s the Eagles’ WR2, snagging a touchdown and racking up 73 yards on just two catches in Week 1. This guy showed up ready to play, and he’s already making a huge impact on the offensive side of the ball for Philly. The official snap counts from their win over the Washington Commanders are here, and man, there’s a lot to unpack.
Wicks and the Veterans Light Up the Scoreboard
It’s clear as day: Dontayvion Wicks is the WR2. He got four targets, tied for third-most on the team, and turned them into two grabs for 73 yards and that crucial touchdown. That’s efficiency, baby! On top of that, the vets delivered big time. DeVonta Smith, the actual WR1, led the Eagles with six targets, pulling in three catches for 53 yards. And when the game was on the line? Smitty was there, recovering the game-sealing onside kick, making a tough play with the ball bouncing all over. Talk about clutch!
Dallas Goedert had himself a monster game at tight end, finishing with five targets, four catches, 77 yards, and two touchdowns. That’s his most receiving yards in a single game since that overtime loss to the Chargers last year, and his 43-yard reception was his longest since a 61-yard scamper back in the 2024 Saints game. Saquon Barkley was the workhorse in the backfield, taking 15 of the Eagles’ 18 running back carries. And shoutout to Darius Cooper, who was an absolute beast on special teams, logging four tackles in one game!
Some Early Season Head-Scratchers
While some guys were shining, there were definitely some performances that make you go, “Hmm.” On the offensive line, Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens just didn’t look playable out there, despite the starting QB and O-line otherwise playing the entire game. That’s not what you want to see from your big guys up front.
Then there’s Makai Lemon, the rookie first-round pick at WR3. He got a good chunk of playing time, and the coaches designed touches for him, giving him five targets. But the results? Oof. Three receptions for a brutal -5 yards. Washington’s defense clearly wasn’t fooled by whatever they were trying to do with him. And what about Tank Bigsby? They underutilized him last year, and it looks like they’re doing it again this season, with Will Shipley getting three times as many touches (three to one). Don’t love that at all. Even Cooper DeJean, who saw eight snaps at safety as a primary option, had a “rough game in coverage.” He also showed up for two offensive snaps, lined up behind the offense in victory formation, which is kinda quirky.
Look, the Eagles pulled off the Week 1 win, but those snap counts are screaming some clear early trends. Can Donny Candles keep this fire going? And how do they fix the O-line and get more out of a rookie first-rounder like Lemon? We’ll be watching every snap to see how they adjust.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
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