The Eagles' Good, Bad & Ugly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — There were a few things to like, not much to dislike and the Eagles will continue playing meaningful games in November after a 24-15 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.
The Good
Center Jason Kelce's blocking in the Eagles' first drive, which resulted in a four-yard Ryan Mathews touchdown with 4:17 left in the first quarter. Kelce got out again on Carson Wentz's 20-yard reception by Mathews in the closing minutes of the quarter.
Defensive end Brandon Graham continues to have an All-Pro kind of season. He caused some chaos on Atlanta's first drive and played with the same relentless passion the whole game, causing Matt Ryan to move into some uncomfortable areas of the pocket. Graham's 6-yard sack pushed Atlanta back after the Eagles lost a fumble with just over a minute in the half.
Safety Malcolm Jenkins fine defensive play all game. On Ryan's 6-yard completion to Mohamed Sanu, Jenkins came up to make the tackle that forced the Falcons into a Matt Bryant 38-yard field with 9:40 remaining in the half. Jenkins came up with another good play in taking down Julio Jones at the Eagles' 28 on a third-and-11. Atlanta had to settle for its third field goal of the game. Jenkins was spectacular the whole day, putting the clamps on Jones.
Defensive end Connor Barwin's 6-yard sack at the Eagles' 19 with around 3:00 left in the half set the Falcons back to the 25 and forced another Bryant field goal.
Running back Ryan Mathews tore through Atlanta for a game-high 108 yards on 19 carries and two TDs. In the first half, he had 56 yards on 9 carries, averaging 6.2 yards a carry, and included the lone touchdown of the half and a 21-yard run.
Kicker Caleb Sturgis' three field goals.
Corner back Leodis McKelvin game-clinching interception at 1:28 left to play.
The Bad
Safety Rodney McCloud's inability to get over and help Nolan Carroll III on Ryan's 29-yard completion to Julio Jones with 12:00 left in the first half.
Tackle Jason Peters false start on the Eagles' third drive with 8:48 at the Eagles' 36, making a third-and-9 a third-and-14.
Receiver Nelson Agholor's drop on a third-and-1 at the Eagles' 37. Why the Eagles didn't use the hot hand and go to Ryan Mathews is anyone's guess.
The Ugly
Coach Doug Pederson's decision to allow Caleb Sturgis to attempt a 55-yard field goal with 10:46 left to play. The attempt fell short and Atlanta got the ball in good field position at the Falcons' 45.
Tight end Zach Ertz three false starts. Two came in the first half. The third could have been most costly when Ertz jumped on third-and-2 at the 37. The Eagles lucked out because Atlanta jumped the following play, putting the ball back at the 37.Mathews scored his second TD to close the drive.
McKelvin getting burnt—and burnt badly—on Ryan's 76-yard TD pass to Taylor Gabriel that gave Atlanta a 15-13 lead with 13:15 to play.
Pederson's play call to run wide on third-and-goal at the 1 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Mathews was dragged down for a 1-yard loss, which followed by a delay-of-game that pushed the ball back to the seven.
Receiver Jordan Matthews drop in the middle of the field with :15 left in the first half. A reception there could have placed the Eagles in field goal position. Instead, they finished empty handed.
Linebacker Mychal Kendricks once again was a target. Anywhere he was, you can almost guess the Falcons were attacking him.
