Whatta Mann

PHILADELPHIA – It wasn’t running back Saquon Barkley this time, but for the sixth time this season an Eagle garnered conference recognition.

Punter Braden Mann is the latest, being named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Mann, who earned the distinction for the second time in his career, but first with the Eagles, punted six times against the Ravens, five of which landed inside the 20-yard line. Two were pinned inside the 10.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles P Braden Mann earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 13.

In a game in which the margin of error was razor-thin, field position was critical, and Mann delivered.

“Braden [Mann] did an unbelievable job,” said special teams coach Michael Clay. “I know everyone has kind of seen five of six punts inside the 20. You saw the one that got down at the one with Sydney [Brown], then the one down at the four by Kelee [Ringo]. He did an unbelievable job.

“Braden’s been doing a really good job. You look at everything, you’re like, ‘He’s just going to have a quiet year.’ But he’s been doing an amazing job for us when it comes to putting the ball in a place where we can cover, putting the ball where we can down the ball, and help the team in any way we can.

“In one of those games that turned into a field position game, it kind of sparked a little bit with that defense with the three-and-out right there. Then the punt, then the offense scored on a short field. It was fantastic out of Braden to kind of give a little spark off the special teams.”

Although the Eagles committed a trio of infractions early in the contest, head coach Nick Sirianni was quick to credit gunners Brown and Ringo for the physicality in jockeying for position and downing the football.

Also not likely to reflect in the stat sheet, the Eagles received savvy play from punt returner Britain Covey, who epitomized the importance of hidden yards, reading the trajectory on punts and coming up to field them, saving field position.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.