The Eagles traveled up to New York to take on the Jets in their third and final preseason game, although Mother Nature had other plans at first. The game was actually delayed by 30 minutes, and bubbles started popping up on the field some time prior. Quite the bizarre start.
For many Eagles, it’s their chance to shine and prove they’re deserving of a roster spot. Some did, while others failed to make that very important impression.
First Quarter
After being shut out last week, the Eagles wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. On their first drive, starting at their own 25, Philadelphia did a good job of putting together productive plays to make it to the Jet’s 49. Then, Boston Scott made an incredible play that resulted on a 49-yard touchdown, complete with a nasty juke:
Go off then, @BostonScott2!#PHIvsNYJ | #FlyEaglesFly
📺: NBC10 pic.twitter.com/P7uerGCswt
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 28, 2021
If we could have New York Boston Scott every game, this team would go 16-0. 7-0 Eagles
Unfortunately, the score wouldn’t stay that way for long. On their first drive, New York was able to sustain a drive that took up over seven minutes. Allowing three plays of 10+ yards certainly didn’t help the Eagles. On 4th and goal at the Philadelphia 2, the Jets were able to convert on a short right pass to wide receiver Lawrence Cager. Tied 7-7
After the answer, the Eagles once again looked good on offense (despite a near-turnover on the first play). Both Joe Flacco and Kenny Gainwell had their moments, with Gainwell rushing for 32 yards on this drive.
On 2nd and goal, Gainwell had a 5-yard run for a touchdown. Great job by him seeing the hole the O-Line was able to create. The Eagles are looking really good at running back for the time being. 14-7 Eagles.
.@KENNETHGAINWEL gets to the paint!#PHIvsNYJ | #FlyEaglesFly
📺: NBC10 pic.twitter.com/mz9rTrhpKM
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 28, 2021
Second Quarter
For the second quarter in a row, the Jets had a long drive that took up a huge chunk of time (around nine minutes). The Eagles didn’t exactly help matters either, with New York facing a 2nd and 18 that they were eventually able to convert (thanks to a penalty on Philly).
However, on 3rd and 2 at the Eagles’ 10, defensive end Tarron Jackson was able to burst through the line and tackle running back Michael Carter for a loss of two yards. Huge play that forces the Jets to kick a field goal, which they make. 14-10 Eagles
With two minutes left in the quarter, the Eagles did some solid work making their way across the field. On 2nd and 11 at the New York 42 with 15 seconds left, Flacco put up a pass that was caught over a defender by a leaping J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. JJAW was then able to take it in for a 42-yard touchdown. Big moment for a guy who’s probably on the fence when it comes to cuts. 21-10 Eagles
What a way to close out the half!#PHIvsNYJ | #FlyEaglesFly
📺: NBC10 pic.twitter.com/HQPF1iaJzA
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 28, 2021
Third Quarter
Nick Mullins entered for Flacco, who’s likely on the outs following this game. On the Eagles’ second drive, Elijah Holyfield led the way with 28 total yards (including 9 yards that were wiped due to a penalty). That penalty forced the Eagles to have a 2nd and 17 at the NY 27 instead of a 1st and 10 at the NY 11.
The Eagles would still be able to score on that drive, thanks to a 24-yard Jake Elliott field goal. 24-10 Eagles.
The Jets would put together a scoring drive of their own towards the end of the quarter. On the final play of the third, running back Ty Johnson rushed into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown. 24-17 Eagles.
Fourth Quarter
The Eagles started the fourth with a decent looking drive, making it all the way to the Jets’ 20. There, on first down, Mullins threw a completed pass to Travis Fulgham for 18 yards. However, Fulgham fumbled the ball in the end zone, resulting in a touchback. Super bad blunder for a guy who’s suddenly being outplayed by JJAW.
New York would take advantage of the missed opportunity. Jets QB James Morgan led NY all the way to the Eagles’ 20 on the following drive, completing a pass to receiver Kenny Yeobah for a 21-yard touchdown. All of a sudden, it’s a brand-new ballgame. 24-23 Eagles
Philadelphia had the opportunity to close out the game on a 3rd and 3 at the Philadelphia 40 (NY had used the last of their time outs), but Nick Mullins’ pass to Jack Stoll went incomplete. This gave the ball back to New York with 1:38 left remaining.
Luckily, the Eagles’ defense came through. On 3rd and 7 at the Jets’ 24, Morgan completed a pass to wide receiver Daniel Brown. However, Brown fumbled the ball, which was picked up and returned for a touchdown by Michael Jacquet. 31-23 Eagles
So, undefeated no longer, right? Well…
On 4th and 3 at the Philadelphia 49 with six seconds left on the clock, Morgan threw up a hail mary that was caught by Yeobah for the touchdown. The Jets then were able to convert the two point conversation for the walk-off tie. 31-31 Tie
THE JETS HAIL MARY IS ANSWERED. @nyjets #PHIvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/ZgEuZhmpCS
— NFL (@NFL) August 28, 2021
It’s quite the poetic ending. With that, the Eagles officially finish the preseason with a 0-2-1 record.
Top Performers
- QB Joe Flacco: 13/16, 188 yards, 2 TD, 155.2 QBR
- WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside: 57 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD
- RB Boston Scott: 4 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards (53 total yards), 1 receiving TD
- RB Kenny Gainwell: 32 rushing yards, 27 receiving yards (59 total yards), 1 rushing TD
- RB Elijah Holyfield: 57 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards (79 total yards)
- DT T.Y. McGill: 2 tackles, 1 sack
With the preseason now closed, the Eagles will take a week off before suiting up to face the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 12th, at 1:00 p.m. You can catch the game on FOX, or listen to it on SportsRadio94 WIP.
