Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown only had six catches for 35 yards through the first 10 quarters of the 2025 season. In the second half against the Rams, he had six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown and led the Eagles back with 26 unanswered points and a come from behind victory.
Despite the lack of production in the first two games, Brown has not caused any problems in the locker room and continued to work hard and say the right things.
When the Eagles fell behind the Rams 26-7 after the first drive of the second half, they were forced to immediately get the ball to Brown.
On first and 10, Jalen Hurts hit Brown on a well-timed speed out to his left for eight yards.
A few plays later after a penalty led to a second and 13, Brown was called on again and made a one hand bobbling catch on a deep pass from Hurts for a gain of 38 yards. Hurts hit tight end Dallas Goedert on the next play down the seam for a 33-yard touchdown to begin the epic comeback.
Trailing 26-14 on a second and three on their own 36, Hurts pump faked a quick screen to Jahan Dotson to his left and forced a pass into coverage to DeVonta Smith.
The pass was incomplete, Smith somehow avoided injury despite taking a big hit, and the defender was flagged for unnecessary roughness for the hit on Smith.
While Smith was taking an unnecessary hit in heavy traffic, Brown was single covered down the left sideline behind his defender for a game changing play.
Later on that drive, Brown faced one on one coverage and used his size and strength to catch a back shoulder fade for a nine-yard touchdown to make it 26-21 late in the third quarter.
The Eagles took the lead for good after a 17-play, 91-yard drive. Brown had catches of 25 and 23 yards on the game-winning drive.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo should incorporate the Aaron Rodgers/Davante Adams law with Hurts and Brown. It was simple.
For the most part on passing downs, Rodgers would throw it to Adams anytime he was covered by only one defender. Rodgers believed Adams was a mismatch against any defender in the league.
It is more glaringly evident that A.J. Brown is a mismatch versus any defensive back in the NFL. Anytime he is covered one on one, there is a big play opportunity.
Brown is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound piece of steel with the ability to run by you or run you over. He prefers the latter.
Patullo should also go back and watch the unlimited number of ways the Rams get the ball to Puka Nacua. Brown and Nacua have similar styles, and Sean McVay finds creative ways to get him the ball.
With Saquon Barkley as the focal point of opposing defenses, A.J. Brown has and will continue to get one on one coverage on the outside throughout the season.
Patullo and Hurts need to isolate and target Brown for big plays whenever he faces one on one coverage with no safety help because he is one of toughest receivers to cover in the NFL.