The first preseason game can often times be a feeling out process and feature little bumps in the road on the way to the regular season.
It isn't supposed to be perfect.
There were bumps in the road for everyone who took the field, but the result was as perfect a start to the preparation for the season as you could ask.
The Eagles scored 23 unanswered points in the first half before finishing off a 36-10 win over the Colts on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Colts struck for the game's first points as Andrew Luck led the majority of a 13-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a 32-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri.
The Eagles responded with an eight-play, 80-yard drive. Mark Sanchez was not at his best in his preseason debut, but connected on an 18-yard pass to Jordan Matthews and a 34-yard touchdown catch and run by Nelson Agholor, who darted up the sidelines for the score.
With Matt Barkley in for the next drive, his first two passes connected for 65 yards to Matthews and Miles Austin – Austin's catch was for 39 yards – before the drive ended with a nine-yard touchdown run by Kenjon Barner.
Cody Parkey missed the extra point, now using a new format. The ball is placed on the 15-yard line, resulting in what is roughly the same distance as a 33-yard field goal. The Eagles held a 13-3 lead after the first quarter.
The two teams traded turnovers on their next possessions. The Eagles forced a fumble as Eric Rowe recovered from a missed coverage to punch the ball away from Phillip Dorsett. Chris Prosinski recovered. Moments later, Barkley's pass was tipped at the line by Bjoern Werner and intercepted by Amario Herrera.
The Eagles next score came late in the second quarter, as a 10-play, 56-yard drive ended with a 40-yard field goal by Parkey.
The Colts quickly went three and out on their next drive, and the booming 65-yard punt by Pat McAfee was returned 92 yards by Barner for a touchdown, capping the half.
The Eagles added points early in the third, as Parkey kicked another field goal, connecting from 48 yards out.
The Colts finally got on the board with a touchdown midway through the third. Josh Robinson broke several tackles to carry the ball into the endzone from nine yards out.
The Eagles scored the only points of the fourth quarter, both off turnovers. Parkey added a second 40-yard field goal with four minutes remaining. Tim Tebow finished the scoring with a seven-yard touchdown run.
Sanchez finished the game going 2-for-7 for 52 yards and one touchdown, missing several open receivers and getting help from Matthews and Agholor on his two completions.
Barkley and Tebow fared much better. Barkley was 12-for-20 for 192 yards and one interception. Tebow was 6-for-12 for 69 yards.
Raheem Mostert led the team in rushing with 33 yards on 11 carries. Starter Ryan Mathews had two carries for 18 yards. Barner finished with 26 rushing yards on six carries with one touchdown.
Eric Tomlinson led the team with 61 receiving yards on five catches. Agholor had 57 yards on three catches and one touchdown. Matthews had 44 yards on two catches.
On the defensive side of the ball, Brad Jones led the team with eight tackles. Rowe finished with five tackles, including one for a loss. Brandon Graham and Randall Evans each had a tackle for loss and Brian Mihalek and Bryan Braman had the team's only sack.
Rowe, Braman and Chris Maragos each had forced fumbles. Ed Reynolds had two interceptions.
The Eagles finished with 412 yards of total offense, easily eclipsing the Colts 275 yards. Defensively, the Eagles forced four turnovers, only turning the ball over one time, on Barkley's interception.
The Eagles return to the field on Saturday when they host the Baltimore Ravens. The opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
