Eagles hang on to win fourth straight after defeating Jaguars

The Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) won their fourth straight after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) 28-23 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Philadelphia has started 6-2 or better through eight games for the third consecutive season.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate Philly’s ‘Big 3’ and their outstanding performances on Sunday:

-Saquon Barkley did have a questionable fumble, which led to a Jacksonville touchdown, and he went down early before securing a first down late in the game, but outside of that, he balled out on Sunday. Barkley finished the game with 199 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, rushing 27 times for 159 yards and a touchdown while catching three passes for 40 yards and another touchdown. He also had maybe the play of the year when he leaped backward over a defender in the first half.

-Jalen Hurts completed 18-of-24 attempts for 230 yards and two touchdowns while adding 67 yards and a touchdown (297 total yards, three total touchdowns), and for the fourth straight game, Hurts was turnover-free. In addition, he is the third quarterback since the 1970 NFL merger to have a 100-plus passer rating with one-plus rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games. In the last four games,  Hurts has 1,001 total yards, 12 touchdowns, and zero turnovers.

-The defense created two turnovers, including a game-clinching interception by Nakobe Dean in the end zone. Sunday marked the first time the Eagles had two linebackers(Dean and Zack Baun) each record an interception in the same game. Philly’s defense held the Jaguars to 214 total yards.

In the end, the defense saves the day.

Honorable Mention:

-DeVonta Smith had four catches for 87 yards, including a fantastic one-handed 25-yard touchdown reception in the fourth.

-Josh Sweat added two sacks.

End of the Day:

This game should have been a blowout. The Eagles led 22-0 in the third quarter and were in complete control. However, after a Trevor Lawrence touchdown pass, the Jaguars got a controversial fumble return for a touchdown by Travon Walker, and before you know it, 22-0 became 22-16. Again, the Birds hold on.

Nick Sirianni was too aggressive today. There were no issues with two-point conversion tries after the penalties, but not taking two field goals was questionable. They went for it on fourth and three in the second quarter with the Eagles up 10-0 in Jaguars’ territory (22-yard line).

With the score 22-16, they decided to go for it on fourth and inches at the end of the third quarter in Jacksonville territory(25-yard line). I did not have much of an issue with going for it; it was the play call that was questionable. You have to do a quarterback sneak in that spot. Instead, they tried a play-action pass, which was blown up, and Hurts had to throw the ball up for grabs.

Aggression is good. Over-aggression is not. The Eagles left eight points out there, and it almost cost them.

A.J. Brown (knee) left in the third quarter and did not return. if he is out for a long time, the Eagles offense will suffer. Hopefully, it’s not serious!

Also, for the first time this season, the Eagles scored points in the first quarter when Hurts connected with Barkley on a 20-yard touchdown pass.

Next up:

The Eagles travel to Dallas to play the struggling Cowboys (3-5) next Sunday.