Postgame Perspective: Rookies earn stripes in Eagles first win

So much of the last year has been spent analyzing Chip Kelly's first draft class and while Jordan Matthews has high potential to become a star receiver, Kelly's first-round pick in 2014, Marcus Smith, has barely seen the field, even in his second year.

On Sunday, it was Kelly's second draft class stealing the show.

The Eagles traded up in the second round to get cornerback Eric Rowe. They selected linebacker Jordan Hicks with their third-round pick.

Both players were thrown into the defensive fire, with the Eagles missing three starters, and filled in admirably. They were responsible for three of the four Jets turnovers in the game. They were a big reason the Jets offense struggled to get going for three quarters. And they proved their value and potential in the Eagles first win of the season.

Hicks was the star. Getting his first career start in place of Mychal Kendricks, Hicks recorded 10 tackles — nine solo — recovered a fumble and grabbed an interception. Talk about having a day.

It seemed like on almost every play, Hicks made an appearance. He was incredibly active and played with confidence.

Hicks has been one of the surprise picks for the Eagles this offseason that has come ready to play with an energy and confidence that is hard to find. Suddenly, this third-round pick looks like a huge steal.

Rowe had struggled in the preseason and therefore didn't see the field much in the first two games. There were two plays in particular where Rowe showed how much he has learned in just a few weeks.

On both his interception and another pass broken up, Rowe did an excellent job of tracking the ball, staying with the receiver and fighting for position. It put him in the perfect place to make a key interception on Ryan Fitzpatrick.

There were certainly other defensive heroes that weren't rookies, but had to fill big shoes.

Brandon Bair got the start on the defensive line for Cedric Thronton. He deflected three passes, including one that led to Hicks' interception. He, too, was one of the big reasons the Eagles did such a good job containing the run.

Newcomer Walter Thurmond came up with another interception that sealed the game.

Offensively, the game was still a struggle for the most part and there is still cause for concern on that front. But one of the Eagles biggest challenges was finding players that could make the defense better. It is safe to say, after three games and allowing 40 points in the last 10 quarters, that the defense is much improved.

Even with the 283 passing yards allowed, the Eagles put together drive after drive where a big play was made in the first half, and came up with the key turnovers in the second half. 

It was certainly a big day for the Eagles defense. But it was a bigger day for the rookies and the players filling big shoes for starters that appeared to leave the Eagles short-handed and potentially on the way to 0-3. The first team win in the careers of Hicks and Rowe couldn't be any sweeter.

Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.