In arguably the most bizarre of first halve’s we have seen this season, the Eagles go into the third quarter leading for the second time all season after Caleb Sturgis kicked a field goal with ten seconds remaining.
The Eagles have finally broken the bad spell and scored a touchdown in the first half of a game..the first time it’s happened this season. But the touchdown didn’t come without its struggles. Sam Bradford threw two interceptions early on in what were two extremely questionable decisions.
Sam Bradford. Quarterback of the future. #Eagles #NFL #badthrows #NOvsPHI #Saints https://t.co/zKG0JBTgXK
— Joe Montana’s Right Arm (@JoeMsrightarm) October 11, 2015
But before that, Jordan Matthews dropped a pass that was on a plate for him, further cementing the arguments that the success of this Offense doesn’t just fall on Bradford. There have been four more dropped passes that should have gone for big yards/TD in the first half alone.
After going down 7-0 to a short yard Watson touchdown where the tight end was completely unmarked, the Eagles Offense responded. Sam Bradford found Josh Huff for a huge 41 yard touchdown to tie things up at the Linc.
The 41-yard TD was nice enough.
But that Josh Huff front flip into the end zone?
Mercy. #NOvsPHI http://t.co/SDoVwTRScY— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2015
But the stars of the show were easily the Eagles Defense. Malcolm Jenkins made some sensational plays yet again whilst finally the Eagles have a pass rush. Bennie Logan hit Drew Brees once whilst Fletcher Cox sacked the 400 TD QB twice in the opening half.
The secondary however has been almost elite. A couple of minor errors from Biggers are nothing to the excellent coverage from Byron Maxwell and Nolan Carroll. The secondary has allowed just 102 passing yards on 16 plays compared to the Saints who have given up over 200.
It’s also marked a coming out party for the running game. Murray had 44 yards in the first half as Mathews picked up 29 and looked much more efficient than Murray on his 3 carries. Murray’s media call out must have worked as he has now rushed 9 times in the first half alone…his biggest snap count of the year in the first half.
The story of the first half though has easily been missed opportunities. Despite going for it on fourth down and a huge improvement in third down conversions (the Eagles have 16 first downs so far), there have been plenty of missed opportunities, questionable play calls, dropped passes and some interesting penalty decisions.
But all of that aside, this game has not been pretty. It’s been a fight. The Eagles have come into this game kicking and screaming and they may walk out with a victory if the momentum continues to fall on Chip Kelly’s army.
For instant analysis in the second half, follow our twitter here!
