The Eagles presented the Patriots with a new look on the first snap. The Patriots have lost back to back games for the first time since 2012.
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But a amusing thing happened on the way a setback for those four teams.
The Bears (5-7) had just gone three-and-out after forcing a punt by San Francisco to start the extra period. If this unit gets hot down the stretch, it could propel the Eagles to the playoffs.
Asked to explain the reasoning for the play, Belichick offered this rejected line from a Dr. Seuss book, “I think everything we did, we’re trying to do what we think is best”.
Kelly made some key personnel moves entering the game. Wide receiver Miles Austin was inactive, with rookie Jonathan Krause playing.
The Eagles just stole this one, and it’s certainly going to go a long ways towards easing the concerns of Eagles fans everywhere. Philadelphia was having trouble mustering any offensive traction while allowing penalties to pile up.
The Philadelphia Eagles heard it all. They were doing exactly what we expected them to do, which was beating the bag out of Chip Kelly and his putrid Eagles. Ebner, who has played rugby in his past, tried a drop kick that didn’t work out and then delivered an onside kick late that was batted out of bounds by Philadelphia.
These plays are obviously cherry-picked to illustrate a point, and exclude any missed calls that might have benefitted the Patriots, but some are particularly egregious.
After rewatching Sunday’s debacle there were certainly several that stood out, and in a game that sometimes comes down to a few plays here and there that end up potentially being the difference, here’s a quick rundown of four that several Patriots were so close to making but weren’t able to and they ended up being ones that will likely be frustrating to watch in the film room.
As for the Patriots, they travel to play Houston on Sunday night, return home to host Tennessee and then finish with two straight road games, at the Jets and Dolphins. The Eagles made those words stand up. Najee Goode scored on a blocked punt, Malcolm Jenkins returned an interception 99 yards for another touchdown and the Philadelphia Eagles held on for an improbable 35-28 victory over the Patriots on Sunday. After a blocked punt and a second punt both returned for touchdowns, the Philadelphia Eagles certainly lived up to their reputation. “It was ugly. But it felt good to get it. I think they knew we were going to be running the ball”.
It took eight plays for the Eagles to go 59 yards, with Bradford connecting with Zach Ertz from the 5 to make it 14-7.
With the final seconds ticking away in the first half and the ball at their own 38-yard line, Tom Brady was facing a 3rd-and-5 as New England was methodically working their way up field for what would most likely have been a potential field goal attempt at the end of the half. The Cincinnati Bengals (10-2) hold the top spot due to their record in conference games while the Denver Broncos (10-2) are second by virtue of their head-to-head victory over New England. Then Darren Sproles dashed 83 yards for a score on a punt return.
Two weeks ago, the idea that the AFC would go through Gillette Stadium seemed like a safe bet.
The Pats added two late touchdowns but it wasn’t enough to come all the way back. Oh, and quarterback Sam Bradford, back after missing two games with a shoulder injury, threw two touchdown passes. The play appeared to shift momentum back in New England’s favor after three consecutive defense and special teams touchdowns gave the Eagles the lead. The second-overall pick completed 20 of 29 throws, for 268 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, which was the result of a perfectly thrown, dropped pass. Mariota also used his legs as a weapon as he scampered for an 87-yard touchdown, en route to a nine carry, 112-yard rushing performance.
Tight end Scott Chandler was expected to step up his game in the absence of the injured Rob Gronkowski, but he was never a factor.
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But, for this week, it was all about the Eagles.
