December 06, 2015
What a roller coaster that game was, from the highest of highs to coming only a few plays away from an all-time collapse. There will be a lot discussion about how we got here, but all that matters is the scoreboard reads “Eagles 35, Patriots 28.”
Some of the mistakes (Zach Ertz, Kiko Alonso, Kenjon Barner) in the fourth quarter were just incredible, but the Eagles just won in Foxborough. Let’s stick with the positives today:
• It’s a shame that Malcolm Jenkins drops so many interceptions, because he is excellent once he gets the ball in his hands. Walter Thurmond got a hand on Tom Brady’s pass at the goal line and Jenkins did the rest, taking the pick 99 yards to the house. Subjectively, Jenkins feels like the Eagles’ best interception returner since Lito Sheppard.
• Special teams came up huge for the Eagles. It felt like Darren Sproles was due for a big play in the punt return game, and he did this:
Darren Sproles is doing Darren Sproles things: 81-yard punt return...for SIX! #PHIvsNE https://t.co/qpqWue3hOV
— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2015
The Eagles scored two special teams touchdowns against a New England unit ranked first in the NFL by Football Outsiders. Job well done by Dave Fipp and Co.
• The Eagles offense, clearly feeling left out, went 80 yards on 12 plays to make the score 35-14 and send the entire Delaware Valley into a state of euphoria. Great play call by Chip Kelly to run play action on 3rd and short and a great throw by Sam Bradford to hit Jordan Matthews from ten yards out.
• When the Eagles were in the process of giving away the game, Riley Cooper stepped up and made the two biggest plays. Yes, that Riley Cooper. He smartly batted an onside kick out of bounds and then followed it up with a huge third down conversion.
• Bradford finished with only 120 yards on 14-24 passing, but I thought he played a very solid game all things considered.
• Is this the biggest win of Chip Kelly’s three years in Philadelphia? Not sure about that, but boy, did he ever need some positive momentum.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
