A walkoff touchdown pass from Sam Bradford to Jordan Matthews – and against the Dallas Cowboys on primetime football, no less – was a glorious way for the Philadelphia Eagles to kickstart the second half of the season.
For Chip Kelly’s team to have any hope of duplicating the postseason success many envisioned from this squad back in the preseason meant marching into Texas and beating this depleted Cowboys roster. It wasn’t perfect, that’s for sure, but it moves the Eagles just a half-game back of the New York Giants in the NFC East hunt, and gives the Eagles momentum heading into the softer part of their schedule.
Sam Bradford’s performance was obviously crucial in the Eagles’ victory, but he wasn’t the only Eagle to have a hand in the win.
Chip Kelly’s Highly-Priced Offseason Acquisitions Are Hitting Their Stride
Chip Kelly’s first offseason as general manager saw some interesting transactions, to say the least. Kelly swapped 2013 Pro Bowl quarterback Nick Foles for Sam Bradford, even throwing in a 2016 second-round draft pick for the former No. 1 overall draft selection who had disappointed in five years in St. Louis.
Kelly paid $40 million for DeMarco Murray, last year’s rushing champion, guaranteeing $22 million of that to a player who had touched the ball an absurd 497 times in 2014 (playoffs included). And he paid top dollar ($63 million over six years) to cornerback Byron Maxwell, expecting shutdown play from the most inexperienced member of Seattle’s Legion of Boom.
All have struggled so far this season, but each player contributed a major role in Philadelphia’s win over Dallas. Bradford was 25 of 36 passing for 295 yards and the game-winning touchdown pass. Murray ran 18 times for 83 yards and a score, and added six catches for 78 yards as a receiver out of the backfield. And Maxwell allowed just one 12-yard reception all game, per Pro Football Focus.
Sam Bradford Was At His Best When His Team Needed Him the Most
Sam Bradford’s performance Sunday night was what Chip Kelly envisioned from him this season. Bradford completed 69.4 percent of his passes, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. He didn’t turn the ball over. And his 103.3 passer rating was his second-highest mark of the year.
Bradford was especially effective down the stretch. In overtime, he completed all five of his passing attempts, including the 41-yard game-winner to Jordan Matthews. He actually led the Philadelphia Eagles on an 85-yard touchdown drive because a false start pushed the team back to their own 15.
And Bradford expertly marched the Eagles down the field at the end of the regulation, setting up Caleb Sturgis’s 53-yard game-tying field goal. For Philadelphia to make any sort of run in the NFC this year, the Eagles will need more turnover-free performances from Bradford like the one they got against Dallas.
The Rushing Attack is Lethal
Two games into the season, the Philadelphia Eagles’ rushing offense had totaled just 70 ground yards and was among the least effective ground games in the league.
What a change it’s been as of late. The Eagles have topped 150 rushing yards in each of their last four contests. On Sunday, DeMarco Murray rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Ryan Mathews added 67 yards and a touchdown of his own on 11 rushing attempts. This was without All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters, who missed the game due to a back injury.
This ground and pound game that Kelly longed for this past offseason seems to be coming into fruition.
Jordan Hicks Will Be Missed
Chip Kelly’s decision to draft Texas inside linebacker Jordan Hicks in the third round was perplexing, considering the team already had Mychal Kendricks, Kiko Alonso and DeMeco Ryans.
But Kendricks and Alonso have struggled to stay healthy this season, and that’s given Hicks the opportunity to shine. Before tearing his pectoral muscle Sunday, Hicks’ 67-yard pick-six was the play of a veteran. He read Matt Cassel’s pass the whole way, jumped the route and gave the Eagles a 21-14 fourth-quarter lead.
In eight games this season – five starts – Hicks has 42 tackles, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, a sack, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown. That’s production that the Eagles will miss.
The Eagles May Be the NFC East’s Best
The NFC East is a weakened division, and Philadelphia’s win last night may make Chip Kelly’s roster the frontrunner to win the East. At 4-4, the Eagles are still a half-game back of the New York Giants, but they’ve now won three of their last four.
In addition, a head-to-head victory over the Giants gives the Eagles the edge should they have the same record. Philly’s schedule coming up consists of three very winnable games – vs. Miami, vs. Tampa Bay, and at Detroit. The Eagles could easily be 7-4, and if that’s the case, you can bet they’re taking the division.
