The Philadelphia Eagles are 0-1 to start the 2015 NFL season after losing to the Atlanta Falcons by the score of 26-24 on Monday night. The Eagles shot themselves in the foot in the first half, giving the Falcons a 20-3 lead at halftime. However, the Eagles came back to take the lead in the fourth quarter. The Eagles ultimately had their chances to win the game in the final moments of the game, but quarterback Sam Bradford threw an interception to Ricardo Allen on the Eagles final offensive drive of the night.
I will observe some good things and some bad things about the Eagles loss to the Falcons.
The high-powered offensive attack of the Eagles was shut down by the Falcons in the first half, resulting in only three points for Philadelphia.
The Eagles started the game with a three-and-out on two consecutive drives. In fact, they were forced to punt on their first four drives. The Eagles couldn't get their run game started at all, as they only had eight rushing yards in the first half. Bradford seemed to have pressure in his face most of the night, and he had some early timing issues with Eagles wide receivers. In the second quarter, he threw the first interception of his Eagles career to Falcons safety William Moore.
The Eagles had no answer for Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones.
Both Byron Maxwell and Nolan Carroll were beat by Jones on numerous occasions during the game on Monday night. He made the first catch of the night by beating Carroll on a slant route. He scored both of Atlanta's touchdowns on the night. The first came on a quick-screen in the red zone. The second one came when he beat Maxwell on a 22-yard touchdown pass in the waning moments of the first half. After the Eagles finally took a 24-23 lead in the first quarter, Jones beat Maxwell for a 44-yard on the next drive for the Falcons offense, which ultimately set up a game-winning 47-yard field goal by kicker Matt Bryant.
Late in the game, the Eagles didn't capitalize on opportunities to win the football game.
The Eagles battled back to take a 24-23 lead in the fourth quarter. Maxwell gave up a big play to Jones, which put the Falcons up by the score of 26-24. With just over two minutes left in the game, kicker Cody Parkey had a chance to give the Eagles a 27-26 lead, but he missed a 44-yard field goal attempt. The Eagles got one more chance to drive down the field and win the game with just under two minutes remaining, but Bradford threw his second interception of the night on a third-down pass which was tipped off of the hands of Jordan Matthews. After that, the Falcons ran the clock out, resulting in a 26-24 loss for the Eagles in the season-opener.
On the good side of things, the Eagles showed that they are a resilient group of players.
After trailing by the score of 20-3 in the first half, the Eagles battled back to take a lead in the game. Walter Thurmond picked off Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on the opening drive of the second half, setting up the Eagles for a 1st-and-goal. Murray scored on a eight-yard touchdown run to cut the Eagles deficit to 10 points. On the ensuing drive, the Eagles forced Atlanta to punt. The Eagles then scored another touchdown, which was a five-yard touchdown reception by Murray. On a critical 3rd–and-1, Malcolm Jenkins stuffed Falcons running back Tevin Coleman to give the Eagles offense an opportunity to get the ball back and win the game.
Although the Eagles lost, it's only the first game of the season.
Along with the Eagles, both the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants are 0-1 to start the season. Next week, the Eagles play the 1-0 Dallas Cowboys in Philadelphia. The Eagles may have let this game get away, but they seem to be facing the Cowboys at a good time. The Cowboys will be without defensive lineman Greg Hardy and wide receiver Dez Bryant. If the Eagles can win next Sunday, then they will be tied for the lead in the NFC East division with the Cowboys. If they lose, then many Eagles fans are probably going to hit the panic button.
Michael Malia is a contributing intern for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Facebook (Michael Malia) or Twitter @Michael_Malia.
