Following last week's whitewashing against Green Bay, the Eagles on Sunday responded with a whitewashing of their own, beating the Tennessee Titans 43-24.
The Eagles took control in the first quarter, opening with a 17-0 lead. Josh Huff opened the scoring, with a 107-yard return on the opening kickoff — the longest runback in franchise history, surpassing a 105-yard Timmy Brown return touchdown to open the 1961 season.
Both teams alternated scoring in the second quarter. Justin Hunter opened the Titans' scoring with a 40-yard pass from Zach Mettenberger nine seconds into the quarter, which was subsequently answered by a Cody Parkey 26-yard field goal — his second of the game. A pair of two-yard touchdown rushes from Sicklerville, N.J. native Shonn Green and LeSean McCoy followed, and a Ryan Succop 20-yard field goal with 51 seconds on the clock made it a 27-17 game. That lead would stand at halftime, as Parkey missed the left upright from 49 yards out.
James Casey caught his second touchdown pass (and third pass overall this season) midway through the third quarter — a 14-yard strike from Mark Sanchez.
Parkey made a pair of field goals to open the fourth quarter, improving the Eagles' lead to 40-17. Mettenberger's six-yard touchdown pass to Dexter McCluster – Mettenberger's second touchdown pass – made it a 16-point game. A third Parkey field goal — from 50 yards out — prior to the two minute warning made it a 43-24 game.
Parkey's streak of 17-consecutive good field goals was snapped. However, he remains 4-for-4 from beyond 50 yards.
Mettenberger completed 20 of 35 passes for 345 yards and those two touchdowns, while being sacked five times. He also threw one interception to Brandon Boykin in the fourth quarter. Sanchez was 30-for-43 with 307 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while being sacked twice. Sanchez' two picks were thrown to Damion Stafford and Brandon Ghee.
McCoy carried the ball 21 times for 130 yards, with one touchdown. Rookie Bishop Sankey led the Titans on the ground, with 10 carries, 37 yards and no touchdowns.
Jordan Matthews continued his excellent second half, catching six passes for 77 yards. Jeremy Maclin caught six passes as well, for 59 yards. Delanie Walker caught five passes for the Titans, with 155 yards.
Leading the way for the Eagles on defense was Mychal Kendricks, with seven tackles. Malcolm Jenkins recorded five tackles, while Trent Cole, Nate Allen, Nolan Carroll and Cedric Thornton added four apiece. Connor Barwin added two sacks, giving him 12.5 this season.
Michael Griffin made 12 tackles for the Titans, while Derrick Morgan added 10. The fact that Griffin — a free safety — made that many tackles indicates how well the Eagles moved the ball.
Tennessee fumbled the ball twice, which were recovered by Allen and Bradley Fletcher.
The Eagles (8-3) face a quick turnaround, taking on Dallas in Thursday's Thanksgiving matchup. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. on Fox. Dallas is idle until Sunday evening, taking on the New York Giants.
Rob Riches is an occasional contributer to Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61.
