Even the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles, who gained 16 of their final 17 video games, together with a Tremendous Bowl, weren’t absolutely fashioned till October.
The Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday evening within the opening sport of the NFL season, nevertheless it was quite a bit harder than anticipated. And had CeeDee Lamb not dropped a few big passes that had been in his fingers within the last minutes, they won’t have gained in any respect.
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The usually dependable Lamb had a large drop on a deep cross within the last three minutes with the Eagles clinging to a 24-20 lead. Had Lamb held on, the Cowboys would have had the ball contained in the 20-yard line with an opportunity to take a lead. As a substitute, the Eagles compelled a turnover on downs, with Lamb once more having a shot at a giant play on fourth down, however the cross was slightly too far and he couldn’t make a diving seize. It will have been an ideal catch, however he had a shot at it. The Eagles held on for the 24-20 win.
It wasn’t the prettiest evening for the Eagles on both facet of the ball. Their protection had a tough first half after defensive sort out Jalen Carter was shockingly ejected before the first play from scrimmage for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The offense was capable of transfer the ball within the first half, however had a tough time shifting it within the second half and couldn’t put the sport away when it had the prospect.
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A part of the issue was No. 1 receiver A.J. Brown was hardly ever discovered. He didn’t actually have a goal till the ultimate two minutes of the sport, and completed with one catch. Saquon Barkley was high quality, however his 60 dashing yards was properly off his 2024 tempo.
The Eagles had been near being upset at dwelling after unveiling a championship banner. They received the win and can enhance. And for a group that hardly ever had any points after a gradual begin in September final season, there might be loads to repair.
Each offenses begin quick
The Cowboys instantly didn’t have to fret about Carter, among the best inside defensive linemen within the NFL. The offense moved the ball fairly simply on a protection that led the NFL in yards allowed final season and fully shut down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LIX.
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The Cowboys scored on every of their first 4 possessions, with two 1-yard touchdowns from Javonte Williams and two subject objectives. The Eagles received a landing from Saquon Barkley with 51 seconds left within the half, and final season’s protection would have in all probability taken that 21-17 lead into halftime. However the Eagles aren’t near midseason type, particularly with out Carter, and allowed Prescott to place collectively a fast drive to offer Brandon Aubrey a shot at a subject purpose try. Aubrey hit it and the Cowboys trailed simply 21-20 at halftime.
Fortunately for the Eagles, their offense had no indicators of a Tremendous Bowl hangover. Jalen Hurts ran for 2 touchdowns, and neither one was on a tush push. He scrambled for a 4-yard rating and an 8-yard rating, and his 51-yard deep cross to Jahan Dotson arrange Saquon Barkley’s 10-yard landing run within the last minute of the primary half. That helped them sustain with the Cowboys, who had been shifting it very properly.
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Though the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Inexperienced Bay Packers final week, they nonetheless have proficient gamers. If anybody tuning in anticipated a blowout by the reigning champions, they’d a shock.
Delay in third quarter
Simply earlier than 10:30 p.m. ET, the game was delayed with 4:44 left within the third quarter because of lightning. The Eagles led 24-20 at that time. The delay lasted slightly greater than an hour, with the sport resuming at 11:30 p.m.
The delay got here proper after Cowboys working again Miles Sanders misplaced a fumble at Philadelphia’s 11-yard line. That massive play, proper after Sanders had damaged free for a 49-yard achieve solely to be caught from behind by Eagles linebacker Zack Baun for a touchdown-saving sort out, appeared to wake the Eagles protection up.
The Eagles compelled a few punts proper after the lengthy delay. The Cowboys ‘protection additionally settled in and compelled a few punts, however needed to get one other cease when the Eagles took possession with 4:43 left, main 24-20. Dallas received a fast three-and-out, giving Prescott the ball once more with 3:02 left and an opportunity to take a late lead.
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The Cowboys virtually had a game-changing play within the last three minutes. Prescott threw an ideal cross deep downfield and Lamb dropped it. That may have set the Cowboys up contained in the 20-yard line. However Lamb, among the best receivers within the NFL, had it bounce off his fingers and incomplete. Three performs later Prescott tried Lamb deep towards the blitz, and Lamb had a shot at a diving catch however couldn’t haul it in. The Eagles took over possession and ran out the remainder of the clock.
The Eagles had been pushed by the Cowboys. Being examined like that isn’t one thing they skilled a lot final season.
