Jake Elliott kicks record breaking FG to win game in Eagles home opener
25 September 2017 Eagles News
Philadelphia Eagles Week 3 vs. New York Giants: Recap and Reactions
The Eagles came into week 3 with almost none of their starting secondary. Their pass rush was expected to beat the Giants offensive line like a drum. And the score was not supposed to be as close as it was. Really, none of the obvious matchup narratives came true. It was a close contest between the division rivals, but the Eagles ultimately prevailed in thrilling fashion, 27-24.
Making most of touches: The Eagles finally established themselves in the running game on Sunday. LeGarrette Blount had the hot hand to start out the game and later on Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement each made the most of the carries they received resulting long gains and a touchdown. The running back corps looks good when you run the ball to begin the game. Go figure.
Nonexistent pressure: Many people predicted the Eagles front seven to get several sacks against a struggling Giants offensive line. The Giants game planned accordingly and had Eli Manning throw quickly off the snap to ensure no one got to him quickly. The Eagles only allowed short gains towards the start of the game but in the final quarter the Giants had big gains and scoring plays.
Injuries piling up: The Eagles were without Rodney McLeod, Corey Graham, Ronald Darby and Jaylen Watkins to start out the game. Then, throughout the course of the game, Fletcher Cox came out with a calf injury and Jordan Hicks was pulled with an ankle injury. Darren Sproles also suffered a broken arm and torn ACL on the same play. Cox and Hicks are “OK” and considered “day-to-day” but Sproles’ time table looks far worse. Thankfully, none of the offensive line has had a significant injury.
Valuable young rookies: For Jalen Mills, the stats aren’t all that appealing. He was targeted 21 times and allowed two touchdowns by Odell Beckham-Jr. Mills, however played exceptionally well for the task that he was given. To cover one of the league’s most dynamic receivers almost man-to-man all game is no simple task. Rasul Douglas also showed his capability as a third round talent. He ran step for step with Giants WR Brandon Marshall and played the ball well to get a jump ball interception, his first of the season. The Eagles young cornerbacks are developing well and building confidence quickly.
Jake Elliott: A practice squad kicker from the Bengals was picked up only two weeks ago and kicked a 61-yard Eagles franchise record field goal to win the game. No one knew who he was before the Eagles game against the Giants. Now, he is a hero in the city of Philadlephia. What a story.
Here are the biggest questions coming out of Sunday’s game: Who replaces Sproles as the catching back? When will Wentz nail the deep ball throws? Does Elliott’s heroic performance signal an end for Strugis’ time in Philly?
Stay tuned for my periscope on Thursday @ 12pmET where I will go further into detail about how the Eagles can capitalize on a 2-0 start in the division.
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