The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t firing on all cylinders. That they maintain profitable regardless of that ought to scare the remainder of the league.
By Chris Murray
For the Philadelphia Sunday SUN
ABOVE PHOTO: Eagles protection sacks Washington quarterback Sam Howell. Pictures: Webster Riddick
If the unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles aren’t taking part in their finest soccer after the 4 first weeks, the remainder of the league will actually be in hassle after they do.
However the mark of an excellent soccer group is discovering methods to win when issues aren’t essentially working, and that’s what the 4-0 Eagles did in an exhilarating 34-31 additional time win over the Washington Commanders in entrance of a sellout crowd at Lincoln Monetary Subject.
“We’ve received differently than we’ve needed to win to this point this 12 months,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni stated. “I feel that builds character. I feel it builds a tighter group. It’s good if you’re in a position to win alternative ways as a result of it tells you numerous in regards to the character of your soccer group and I feel we confirmed that in the present day.”
Eagles huge receiver A.J. Brown makes a landing
Jake Elliott’s 54-yard area aim with 4:04 left in additional time saved the Eagles unbeaten over a sport Commanders squad that was coming off a blowout loss at residence in opposition to the Buffalo Payments. It was one in every of 4 area targets that Elliott hit for the sport.
“I used to be in that zone considering it was going to return right down to me within the fourth quarter. Clearly, the lengthy landing cross (Hurts to Brown) extended it slightly bit,” Elliott stated. “I attempt to get into that mindset figuring out that it’s coming right down to me … I used to be pleased to place that one by means of.”
The Commanders compelled the additional time session with a 10-yard landing cross from quarterback Sam Howell to huge receiver and former Penn State star Jahan Dotson as time ran out within the fourth quarter.
The Eagles had taken a 31-24 lead previous to that on a 28-yard landing cross from Jalen Hurts to huge receiver A.J. Brown with 1:43 left within the fourth quarter.
All through the primary three video games of the season, Hurts has been seemingly on the periphery of occasions as a result of inconsistent play within the first three weeks of the season. However in opposition to Washington, Hurts accomplished 25-of-37 passes for 319 yards and two landing passes, each to Brown.
“I assumed it was one in every of his best-played video games this 12 months,” Sirianni stated. “I assumed he was clutch. You possibly can override something that goes on with a quarterback when he makes the performs when the [plays] are wanted and I assumed that’s what [Hurts] did in the present day. We wanted a completion on that third and without end and he bought a completion. We wanted a landing, and he bought the landing.”
Brown, who caught 9 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns, stated Hurts performed with slightly hearth in the present day.
Eagles Jake Elliott kicks a game-winning 54-yard area aim.
“He kinda awakened slightly bit and it gave all people a lift,” stated Brown, whose 59-yard landing cross within the third quarter gave the Eagles their first lead of the sport. “More often than not Jalen, if the sport’s on the road or throws an excellent ball, he’s going to be mellow. However that fireplace and that need confirmed up in the present day.”
Hurts stated profitable video games like this helps to carry the group and provides them confidence to know tips on how to react when the group is in tight ball video games like Sunday’s win over Washington.
“It’s nice to have video games like this as a result of it shifts the spirit of the group,” Hurts stated. “I feel we are able to by no means get snug with profitable. … Whenever you expertise moments like this that does a lot for the character of the group.”
Within the first half, the Commanders on no account resembled the group that bought blasted on their homefield final week by the Buffalo Payments. However then once more, the Philadelphia Eagles protection wasn’t precisely the identical squad that held the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to below 200 yards of complete offense.
The Commanders scored on three of their first 4 possessions. Washington scored touchdowns the primary two instances they possessed the soccer on two 75-yard drives.
The primary got here on a one-yard run by huge receiver Curtis Samuel and the second got here on a fumble restoration ultimately zone by huge receiver Terry McLaurin after Eagles linebacker Nick Morrow pried the ball free from Washington working again Brian Robinson Jr. on the one-yard line.
The Eagles answered Washington’s first landing with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a five-yard landing run by D’Andre Swift to tie the sport at 7-7.
Eagles Milton Williams and Brandon Graham going after Commanders QB Sam Howell
The Commanders took a 17-7 lead late within the second quarter on a 27-yard area aim by Joey Slye. The Birds lower the deficit to 17-10 on a 41-yard area aim by Elliott to finish the primary half.
Within the second half, the Eagles scored 14 unanswered factors on two extra area targets by Elliott and Hurts 59-yard landing cross to Brown. Washington tied the sport halfway by means of the fourth quarter at 24-24 on a 15-yard run by working again Brian Johnson Jr.
Now that the Eagles are one in every of two final undefeated groups within the NFL — the opposite being the San Francisco 49ers — all eyes might be on them as they tackle the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles subsequent Sunday. The sport begins at 4 p.m. and you may catch it on Fox-29.
