Knee-Jerk Reactions: Eagles Provide Hope With Upset Over Pats
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- That was painfully amazing. And so much fun. I almost forgot why being a sports fan is fun. Philadelphia sports fans really needed that.
Some fun stuff:
• A blocked punt touchdown, a 99-yard interception return touchdown, a punt return touchdown, three onside kicks, and a 21-point lead nearly blown later...phew! What a win.
• It was the Eagles' first win in New England since 1987.
• The Eagles will be in a three way tie for first place in the NFC East, if the Cowboys beat the Redskins tomorrow.
• Say it with me now!
• The Eagles will be in a three way tie for first place in the NFC East, if the Cowboys beat the Redskins tomorrow.
• What a game for Malcolm Jenkins, and he deserved it. Leaders lead.
• The vocal leader of this team, who has never wavered since day one in defending the direction and culture of this football team, gets a well-timed bounce that he---as Chip Kelly described it---turned from "good to great."
• Other than that, he was excellent all day in coverage as he usually is.
• Vinny Curry is seeing extended snaps and was a man possessed today: Just one sack, but FOUR QB hits
• Brandon Graham and Connor Barwin had all four (two each) of the Eagles' sacks on Tom Brady.
• The Eagles had 13 QB hits (4 Curry, 4 Fletcher Cox, 3, Graham, 2 Barwin)
• Walton Thurmond had a solid game as well, leading the team in tackles with 10 including a couple of big third down tackles.
• Eric Rowe, starting for the injured Nolan Carroll, had a heck of a game. Hat tip to the rook.
• And Byron Maxwell had an interception!
• On the negative side, Kiko Alonso is a shell of himself. He looks completely lost. No idea what's going on with him.
• Ed Reynolds is not very good.
• Sam Bradford certainly did not have a spectacular game, but he was a leader. Just 14 completions, but he took a huge hit on that 3rd and long completion to Riley Cooper late in the game and played well enough to allow his team to win the game.
• And the difference between him and Mark Sanchez? No turnovers.
• Darren Sproles was the Eagles' workhorse today with 15 carries for 66 yards, 4 catches for 34 yards, and the punt return score.
• Kenjon Barner, sans the late devastating fumble, ran ferociously all night. He was impressive.
• Chip Kelly said DeMarco Murray wasn't used as much due to matchup stuff against big the New England linebackers. That's probably 90% true and 10% Murray hasn't been playing well, as Murray had just eight carries for 24 yards and didn't have great body language either.
• Eagles' WRs had just five catches: Jordan Matthews 3, Cooper 1, Jonathan Krase 1
• Chris Maragos was unreal on special teams, blocking the punt and sealing off a defender on Sproles' return.
• I guess we can rip up the "team quit on Chip Kelly" nonsense, right?
• On to Buffalo!