On Sunday afternoon, the Philadelphia Eagles won their first game in four weeks against the Carolina Panthers. Finishing 21-18 in a fourth-quarter comeback, credit is due to Jalen Hurts and the defense, as the team continues to make changes as the season progresses.
Nothing like a win on a Sunday afternoon#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/r8y0kQ20pc
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 10, 2021
AN IMPROVED DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE
After coming off a loss last week (against the Kansas City Chiefs), head coach Nick Sirianni chewed into defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, calling his plays a “toothless, amorphous scheme.” In Week 3 and 4, the Eagles’ defense allowed 83 points, leaving some of the team’s best players stat-less.
This week, the script flipped.
Philadelphia’s defense was sharp, making tactful plays to hold Carolina.
Early in the first quarter, cornerback Darius Slay intercepted the ball, placing the Eagles at the 10-yard line. A touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith was caught but was negated after yet another penalty. Rather than re-do the fourth down, kicker Jake Elliott attempted a 30-yard field goal and was successful.
The next drive put a touchdown on the board for the Panthers. The Eagles trailed 3-10.
In the second quarter, cornerback Avonte Maddox was able to break up a pass, preventing a touchdown, and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave landed another sack. In five games, Hargrave now has six sacks, just 0.5 shy of his single-season career-high. A second sack to Panthers’ quarterback Sam Darnold by Josh Sweat landed the Panthers a 43-yard field goal attempt, as the lead advanced further, 3-13.
.@Jay_MostWanted kicking in the door on a weekly basis#PHIvsCAR | #FlyEaglesFly
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/BBAMl6MST5
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 10, 2021
The Eagles’ offense continued to struggle as a high snap by Jason Kelce went over the hands of Hurts, going out of bounds for a safety.
With 31 seconds left in the half, Philadelphia got the ball back but missed a massive opportunity for a touchdown by wide receiver Quez Watkins who was wide open. Elliott made a 58-yard field goal, sending the Eagles to the locker room with just 81 yards and six points.
THE COMEBACK IS GREATER THAN THE SETBACK
Philadelphia’s defense was even stronger in the second half, starting with a blocked pass by Steven Nelson, forcing a punt. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox picked up his first sack — in 301 days, and shortly after, Darius Slay added a second interception to his resume.
The Eagles’ offense had some trouble finding their rhythm as Jordan Mailata gave up two sacks. Mailata, Philadelphia’s starting left tackle, played on the right side, filling in for Lane Johnson, who was out for the second consecutive game due to a personal matter.
After another penalty on Philadelphia, Hurts took matters into his own hands, scoring a touchdown from the 1-yard line, shortening the Panther’s lead 12-15.
The Panthers settled for a 50-yard field goal starting off the fourth quarter, as the Eagles were unsuccessful on their following play. Philadelphia’s defense put Carolina three-and-out, leading to a blocked punt return and recovery by T.J. Edwards and Shaun Bradley. Goedert went 1-1 for passes, and Hurts ran the ball for a touchdown. Sirianni opted for a two-point conversion as Hurts found Smith in the endzone for the extra points.
Go ahead and style on 'em, @JalenHurts#PHIvsCAR | #FlyEaglesFly
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/zu51uNl3tb
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 10, 2021
Hurts finished the game with 22 of 37 receptions for 198 yards, rushing for two touchdowns.
The Eagles now have a short break as they prepare to take on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, October 14. Philadelphia enters Week 6 now 2-3 with hopefully, some motivation.
