The Eagles hosted the Falcons in South Philly on Monday night after their big win against the Packers in Brazil. With the reports of A.J. Brown missing this week and possibly a couple more due to a hamstring injury, the Eagles relied heavily on Saquon Barkley and the run game in the first quarter.
Barkley helped lead the team downfield but ended up with a donut as they failed to convert on 4th and 4 near the endzone. Following that series, the offense tried to find their footing and rhythm but it was the defense that has been searching for a part of their game that seems to be nonexistent.
After years of always having a good pass rush, the Eagles’ defense failed the apply any pressure on Kirk Cousins. Cousins, who isn’t 100% still, was able to take his time in the pocket. It could be a bit concerning that this pass rush has not been what the Eagles expected especially their prized defensive free agent Bryce Huff.
After a couple of three-and-outs, Jalen Hurts decided to put the team on his back and make things happen. What seemed to be a bit of a one-dimensional offense, now became much more dynamic as Jalen Hurts made play after play with his leg. He rushed for 47 yards in their only touchdown drive of the first half.
DeVonta Smith had two big catches and one just happened to be a toe-tap catch in the back of the end zone for their first score. Following that score, the defense was able to hold off a Falcons, offense that suddenly found their stride, to only a field goal to end the first half.
As the second half started, the Eagles chose to live and die by the bend but don’t break theme. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier ran wild on the defense and carried the Falcons into the red zone. It took a very stiff defensive line against the run and a big sack by Milton Williams to hold the Falcons to only a field goal.
Following that drive, the Eagles did the same. Saquon and Devonta Smith did all they could to bring the Eagles into the red zone. It took a big pass-breakup play from Jessie Bates to hold the Eagles to a field goal.
Outside of the pass rush, it looks like the Eagles’ safeties are also becoming an issue for the defense. On a possibly game-changing drive, Blankenship was left at the line of scrimmage by Ray-Ray McLoud to help convert a 1st down which was a gutsy call on 4th down. Later on the same drive, Darnell Mooney beat C.J. Gardner-Johnson who failed to wrap Mooney on his attempted tackle which led to a big touchdown.
The Eagles fought back on the next drive as we saw a bit more creativity with designed QB runs for Jalen Hurts and the arrival of Britain Covey. Covey showed his agility and quick burst to help keep the sticks moving for Philly. It was a short 5-yard pass to Barkley that many thought was a touchdown that led to a tush push for a rushing touchdown by Jalen Hurts.
Philadelphia’s offense went for a two-point conversion where Saquon leaped over the chaos of linemen in hopes of landing in the end zone. The first jump didn’t make it but Saquon was able to sneak the ball underneath to convert the two-point attempt.
With less than 7 minutes left in the game, the Eagles’ defense brought the pressure to Kirk Cousins. Luckily for Philly, Darnell Mooney gave up on a game-changing route where he had Avonte Maddox beat after Maddox ran into Quinton Mitchell. On the next play, Philly stopped Drake London just short of the first down which led to a Falcons 4th down attempt.
With a run play called, Bijan Robinson ran up the middle but was stopped by C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
With under six minutes to go in the game, the Eagles turned to their prized offensive addition of the offseason. Saquon broke off a big play at first but it was called back due to holding on the Eagles. Hurts followed that with a big pass to Goedert that led them to a Barkley first down on 3rd and 2.
The Eagles wore the Falcons’ defense down to the very end as Saquon Barkley continued to amaze all of the Philly fans at Lincoln Financial Field. After the two-minute warning, Philadelphia lined up for the tush push and converter the first down to help keep their driving going and the clock ticking. Unfortunately, Barkley had his first down moment as he failed to make a catch on 3rd down to seal the game. The Eagles settled for the field goal but gave the Falcons an opportunity with 1:39 to steal the game.
With no timeouts left for Cousins and the Falcons offense started strong with a big pass plays as they exposed the open gaps within Fangio’s defense. They marched down the field at ease with only 43 seconds left in the game. With the clock winding down, Kirk Cousins found Drake London for a wide-open touchdow to make it 22-21.
On the following drive, the Eagles looked poised enough to find a way to win. It was a big interception by Jessie Bates who read the throw perfectly from Jalen Hurts. Philadelphia’s weaknesses got the best of them in an eventful home opener. Without A.J. Brown, the Eagles offense failed to put the nail in the coffin while the defense has shown that while the cornerbacks are no longer an issue, the pass rush and the safety group are not where they need to be.
The Eagles dropped a big one to the Falcons in front of their home crowd. They are now 1-1 for the first time in a long time and will be set to take on the red-hot New Orleans Saints offense at 1 pm on Sunday.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
