The Eagles enter the half with the score all tied up after rookie kicker Jake Elliott missed a field goal at the buzzer. A low-scoring affair at 7-7, the Raiders have kept things close and it hasn’t been pretty. In fact, most of the first half has been rather ugly. Here are some quick hitters for the intermission.
Ajayi lights a fire:
A quick three and out was followed by a huge drive that gave Jay Ajayi the perfect platform to make an impact…and he did exactly that. The former Dolphin has 8 rushes for 36 yards, but it’s his 17-yard touchdown reception that will stand out. An absolute force as a receiving option out of the backfield in recent weeks, Ajayi has only seen his production grow since Foles was forced into action. Ajayi’s tough-running is one of the lone bright spots in a stuttering offense.
Foles looks a little less impressive:
Missed snaps, missed completions and missed opportunities, Foles has been anything but electric in his second start as quarterback this season for the Eagles. Completing 12/20 for 119 yards and a touchdown, Foles has been wide of the mark tonight so far. Neither Agholor, nor Alshon Jeffery have a single catch in the first half…and that says a lot. Some missed home-run hits and some very close shaves have left Foles trouble free for now, but you have to feel like it’s only a matter of time before the Raiders defense pick off just their fifth pass of the season.
Secondary struggles:
Talking of picking off passes, it’s one thing the Eagles secondary does not look like doing. Jalen Mills bit on another sluggo route, giving up his second touchdown in two weeks. The cornerbacks have been lining up much closer to the line of scrimmage in order to press the Raiders wideouts, but so far it’s having varied success.
Ellerbe’s first start:
One underrated hero in the first half was former New Orleans Saint, Dannell Ellerbe. Standing in for the injured Joe Walker in his first start as an Eagle, Ellerbe looked a little slow off the mark to begin with, but has made all the right calls. The Eagles have had a topsy-turvy day containing Marshawn Lynch, but Ellerbe has been a crucial cog in those efforts.
Complacency:
The Eagles have given up some silly penalties (5) in the first half. As the season continues to wind down, the Eagles are looking less and less sharp and that’s through no fault of their own. But if they do continue to make similar errors deep into the heart of the playoffs, a team such as Minnesota may not be so forgiving.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
