September 17, 2017
Only nine points were scored on the first half of this one, but there was plenty going on. Here's a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the first 30 minutes of action between the Eagles and the Chiefs:
– There's no category here for luck, so we'll put this under "good."
just like they drew it up. pic.twitter.com/kiZ4iUsz1f
— chris jones¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@LONG_DRIVE) September 17, 2017
Unfortunately, the Eagles couldn't tie the game as new kicker Jake Elliott missed a chip-shot from inside 30 yards. More on him in a bit.
— Carson in September…
Reminder: It’s still September. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/EYhLe14xnO
— Billy Penn (@billy_penn) September 17, 2017
Eagles QB Carson Wentz in September:
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) September 17, 2017
•4-0 Record
•1,076 pass yards
•7 TDs
•1 INT
•101.8 passer rating#Eagles #CarsonWentz#FlyEagelsFly pic.twitter.com/aC6tmI6sZY
– He started the game, 5-for-5, but even his first incompletion was a good a throw, one that probably should’ve been a touchdown catch by Torrey Smith.
Feel like this should have been a catch. pic.twitter.com/3Auniv5bZX
— Dan Levy (@DanLevyThinks) September 17, 2017
Wentz finished the half 9-of-15 for 134 yards (89.3 passer rating) and was sacked twice.
– It was obvious the Eagles were trying to get Alshon Jeffrey involved early…
Jeffery with the quick slant from the slot on the first Eagles' offensive snap pic.twitter.com/Bpmu5St8ge
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) September 17, 2017
Jeffery had two catches, both for first downs, on the Eagles opening drive.
Alshon doing work. pic.twitter.com/dQDZIjNIW3
— chris jones¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@LONG_DRIVE) September 17, 2017
Unfortunately, he finished the first half with just those two catches for 23 yards.
– Prior to the missed field goal at the end of the first half, Jake Elliott got off to a good start in Eagles debut, drilling a 34-yard field goal to put the Eagles on the board. He also put the opening kickoff five yards deep in the end zone and his second nine yards deep, but the first half didn't end well as he missed a chip shot that would've tied the game at 6-6. Instead, the Eagles trailed at the half.
– Jordan Hicks: man.
5 points for Hicks pic.twitter.com/j5wghfUxGa
— Nick Piccone (@nickpiccone) September 17, 2017
Late in the second quarter, Hicks put a hit on Smith that hurt his shoulder, causing KC to take a timeout.
Alex Smith got hurt on that hit. Staying in, but got up slowly. Probably why KC just called that timeout.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) September 17, 2017
– Jim Schwartz dialed up a few nice blitzes in the first half, including a big one in the second quarter that essentially ended a Chiefs’ drive and led to Mychal Kendricks’ first sack in nearly two years.
That was Mychal Kendricks' first sack since Week 6 of 2015.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) September 17, 2017
On a related note, Kendricks has been sick and had a 100-degree fever as of Saturday.
– After a huge series by the defense that included several hits on Alex Smith, the Chiefs were forced to punt. And on the ensuing punt, Darren Sproles broke a few tackles and then fumbled. Kansas City recovered, in field goal range, and were able to capitalize with a field goal.
That's been the difference in this game so far.
— It was looking Travis Kelce was going to be a big problem for the birds – he got the first two first downs of the game for the Chiefs.
Travis Kelce has 56 yards on two catches and the Chiefs are on the 22.
— CSN Philly (@CSNPhilly) September 17, 2017
Jenkins did, however, make up for it with nice coverage on a third-and-four attempt to Kelce and forced K.C. to settle for a field goal. Jenkins got some help on that play thanks to a well-timed blitz call from defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz that forced Smith to get the ball out quickly.
Kelce finished with 5 receptions for 71 yards.
– An already depleted secondary took another hit late in the first quarter…
Injury Update: S Rodney McLeod (hamstring) is questionable to return.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 17, 2017
… and then another in the second.
Injury update: S Jaylen Watkins (hamstring) is questionable to return.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 17, 2017
To recap.
Jaylen Watkins is going into the locker room. So now #Eagles are missing McLeod, Watkins, and Darby.
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) September 17, 2017
That meant rookie Rasul Douglas was forced into action. And on the first play, the Chiefs went right at him. He looked up to the task.
sheesh. pic.twitter.com/Tdy3qgFxG5
— chris jones¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@LONG_DRIVE) September 17, 2017
– I mentioned earlier that Smith dropped a would-be touchdown pass from Wentz, but that wasn’t his only drop of the day. He dropped another potential big gain in the second quarter as well.
My entire timeline right now: pic.twitter.com/mkM9rIUlpB
— Matt Mullin (@matt_mullin) September 17, 2017
Torrey Smith: Nelson, hold my beer
— Drew Hawk (@CryingPhillyFan) September 17, 2017
[Nelson drops beer]
— T.J. Furman (@tj_furman) September 17, 2017
– The Eagles are lucky to only have given up 6 points so far...
Eagles defense holds, but tackling needs to improve pic.twitter.com/WkIKVonRBW
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) September 17, 2017
– Jaylen Watkins vs. Tyreek Hill.
Not feeling Jaylen Watkins vs. Tyreek Hill
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) September 17, 2017
But that didn't last too long after Watkins' injury.
- The Eagles offensive line was terrible on the run. They were much better in pass protection, with the glaring exception that was Isaac Seumalo.
Isaac Seumalo having a rough start to this season.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) September 17, 2017
That was just the appetizer. The second-year lineman allowed an even worse looking sack on 3rd and 10 late in the second quarter that ended the drive and stripped the Birds of any chance to add to the score before halftime.
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