Philadelphia, Pa. - After leaving Green Bay on the wrong end of a 33-point decision last week, the Eagles’ matchup Sunday with the 2-win Titans proved a likely occasion to vent some frustration.
And the gridiron ambassadors from Music City, U.S.A. found themselves in a quick hole.
Quick, as in 13 seconds.
Josh Huff, the rookie and former Oregon Duck under Chip Kelly, took the opening kickoff and darted 107 yards the other way to put the Birds up 7-0. His return was good for the best yardage effort in Eagles history.
“I was ready to go and make a play for the team,” Huff said after the game, the Eagles’ 10th straight regular-season home victory. “They [the protection] were able to open a lane for me.”
Darren Sproles ended a 51 yard drive, Philadelphia’s first offensive possession, rushing 4 yards over left end for the 14-0 lead.
Cody Parkey kicked from 36 yards for the Eagles (8-3) to end the first session ahead 17-0. He finished 5-of-6 through the uprights, including a 50 yarder in garbage time, though he hooked a 49 yard attempt off the post with 2 seconds left in the first half.
“Just came in with a lot of confidence,” Parkey said of his effort.
LeSean McCoy rushed 21 times for 130 yards in victory, including a 2 yard touchdown in the second quarter. His long run of 53 yards came on a field-goal drive in the second.
“I think he’s an outstanding running back,” Chip Kelly said of McCoy afterwards, “and he’s proved that in his years in the league. We have confidence in him and will have confidence in him as long as he’s healthy.” McCoy had to answer criticism this week for underperformance this season.
Jordan Matthews caught 6 passes for 77 yards and Jeremy Maclin’s 6 receptions gained 59 yards for Philly.
Tennessee (2-9) notched two touchdowns in the second quarter to make it interesting. Mettenberger’s 2nd-and-20 pass was tipped by safety Malcolm Jenkins, but into the hands of Justin Hunter, who raced 40 yards down the sideline for the score.
The visitors came within 20-14 in the second when Shonn Greene spun through the middle and found the end zone from 2 yards. Mettenberger flicked a 68 yard catch-and-run play to Delanie Walker to the Eagles 13 on the drive, an 81 yard charge in 5 plays.
Connor Barwin added Philadelphia’s 34th sack this season on the Titans’ first drive, hurling himself into Zach Mettenberger after breaking through the line, one of five the rookie passer suffered at the hands of the Eagles.
“I thought they played really, really hard,” Chip Kelly said of his defense. “Trent [Cole] played outstanding, some real good individual efforts.”
Trent Cole secured two sacks, as did Barwin. Fletcher Cox added another in the third quarter. Brandon Boykin intercepted Mettenberger in the fourth to end it.
Nate Allen recovered a fumble in the third period after Titans center Brian Schwenke had to advance a ball deflected to him by Fletcher Cox.
“I know up front, we felt good about the matchups,” Connor Barwin said afterwards of the front seven. “It paid off and we got a lot of pressure on the quarterback from everybody up front.”
Mettenberger finished 20-of-39 for 345 yards passing, two scores and an interception in his first-career 300 yard passing effort. He is yet to record his first victory in the professional ranks.
Dexter McCluster added for the Titans in the fourth quarter, striking paydirt on a 4th-and-Goal pass.
Mark Sanchez finished 30-of-43 on 307 yards passing and a touchdown. He threw his 5th and 6th interceptions on the year and has 8 turnovers overall in four games’ relief of Nick Foles for Philadelphia, who visit the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day to defend their first-place position in the NFC East.
“It’s gonna be a heck of a game Thursday,” Chip Kelly said.
No comments:
Post a Comment