To say the Philadelphia Eagles needed Sunday’s 24-17 win over the New York Jets is an understatement. A September non-conference game doesn’t have the same impact as a Week 17 rivalry with the New York Giants, but if the Eagles make the playoffs, an argument could be made that this game saved the season.
The Chip Kelly doubters were everywhere after an 0-2 start that saw quarterback Sam Bradford post two straight multi-turnover games and $40 million running back DeMarco Murray gain just 11 rushing yards on 21 carries. And with Murray dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out in Week 3 – and the Eagles against a superior New York Jets defense – it was expected to be another hard-fought, low-scoring battle.
The Eagles capitalized early on a Cody Parkey field goal – the team’s first points all season in the first half – and just kept on scoring. Darren Sproles added a tremendous 89-yard punt return, Ryan Mathews caught a wheel route from Sam Bradford for 23 yards, and Sproles scored again from one yard out, this time on a handoff.
A 24-0 halftime lead nearly dissolved, but a valiant defensive effort – led by two late interceptions – staved off Ryan Fitzpatrick’s furious comeback attempt.
It was an impressive team win for the Eagles. With Murray out, Mathews filled in to the tune of 25 carries and 108 rushing yards, plus a touchdown catch. It wasn’t perfect, as Mathews dropped two passes, including a sure touchdown, and lost a fumble midway through the fourth quarter.
But it was unquestionably the Eagles’ most impressive rushing performance of the season, and moving the ball on the ground is surely what Chip Kelly envisioned when he paid top dollar for Murray and signed Mathews.
Rookie inside linebacker Jordan Hicks, starting in place of the injured Mychal Kendricks, was all over the field, registering 10 tackles (nine solo), a pass defensed, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Another fellow rookie, Eric Rowe, recorded a key interception in the end zone, and added two passed defensed of his own.
The Eagles also limited the Jets’ running backs to just 47 yards on 16 carries. It was the kind of overall defensive performance that will win Philadelphia a slew of games, and could make them the frontrunner to win a weakened NFC East.
At 1-2 – and following Dallas’s loss to Atlanta – the Eagles are just a game back in the division.
The Cowboys are decimated with injuries, notably to Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. The New York Giants lack a significant pass rush and don’t seem to be a viable contender in the division. And the Washington Redskins – next week’s opponent for Philly – won’t likely compete as long as they have a quarterback carousel.
In Philadelphia, Bradford doesn’t appear to be the long-term answer, as he struggled today with accuracy and the deep ball. But the philosophy for winning games will come down to running the ball and playing stout defense.
If the Eagles beat the Redskins – a likely happening – then the previously left-for-dead Eagles are back to .500. Their schedule stays easy, as they play a New Orleans Saints team that may be without Drew Brees, the Giants, a road game against the Carolina Panthers, a Cowboys team without Romo or Bryant, a perennially 8-8 Miami Dolphins squad, a Tampa Bay team that will be starting a rookie quarterback in Jameis Winston, and a Thanksgiving matchup against an 0-2 Detroit Lions team.
Those are all winnable games. That’s not to say the Eagles will sweep them. But the only game against a likely playoff game is the one hosting Carolina, and winning six of those eight would put the Eagles at 7-4 heading into December.
And the offense can only get better. Bradford hasn’t been reliable. Maybe he’s still getting accustomed to live NFL action after missing most of the last two seasons with injuries. But if he can even slightly resemble the quarterback who lit up the preseason, the Eagles’ offense will start clicking.
Murray – after missing Sunday’s game – is still at just 11 yards. Theoretically, he and Mathews (and Sproles) should form one of the best committee backfields, and once first-round receiver Nelson Agholor hits his groove, he’s going to give the Eagles another threat in the passing game.
Kelly has started slowly before, too. In 2013, he was 3-5 and won seven of his last eight games to make the playoffs. If it’s going to happen again, there’s no better opportunity to do so. It’s an easy schedule, a talented offense, and there’s a good chance the NFC East winner finishes with just nine victories.
That makes the Eagles as in the race as any of the teams.
