For the first time since December 22, 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) tasted defeat as they fell to the Denver Broncos (3-1) 21-17 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.
The Eagles started strong, leading 17-3 going into the fourth. However, the Broncos staged a comeback, outscoring them 18-0 in the final quarter to secure the victory.
This is the first time in 19 games that Jalen Hurts has lost a game he started and finished in over a year. His last loss was against the Buccaneers in Week 4 last season.
In addition, the Eagles 12-game winning streak at Lincoln Financial Field was snapped.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate Philly’s ‘Big 3’ and their outstanding performances on Sunday:
-DeVonta Smith had a season-high-tying eight receptions for a season-high 114 yards. The 114-yard performance was Smith’s 11th career game with 100+ receiving yards (including playoffs). Smith got his targets (10), and he took advantage of them.
-Despite the big personal foul penalty late in the game, LB Zack Baun had a solid performance. He had a game-high 12 tackles and a sack.
-Saquon Barkley did not have a big game on the ground(six carries, 30 yards), but he did make a big play in the passing game. Barkley, who had a 47-yard touchdown reception, finished with three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Honorable Mention:
-Rookie LB Jihaad Campbell had 11 tackles on Sunday.
-For the third straight game, Dallas Goedert had a touchdown reception. He finished with three catches for 19 yards and a touchdown.
End of the Day:
It felt like the Eagles had this coming. They should have won this game, but you could argue that they should have lost their first four games, so sometimes in life, things even themselves out.
The passing game improved slightly on Sunday (Jalen Hurts, 23-38, 280 yards, and two touchdowns); however, the offense still lacks a consistent rhythm. Barkley only got six carries, and going forward, he has to be more involved.
Coming into this game, the talk was about Smith and A.J. Brown not getting their targets, but on Sunday, they got their targets. Smith took advantage of it more than Brown(five catches, 48 yards, eight targets).
While this was a tough loss, it could be the wake-up call the team needed. The Eagles have to play better.
What’s Next:
The Eagles go on the road to battle the Giants(1-4) on Thursday night.
One More thing….
Hurts completed 23-of-38 (60.5%) attempts for a season-high 280 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, and a 100.8 passer rating. Hurts has recorded three straight games with 0 INTs and a 100+ rating.
Barkley’s 47-yard TD was the longest receiving TD by an Eagle since Darren Sproles’ 73-yard TD on 9/25/16 vs. Pittsburgh. Furthermore, the play was Barkley’s longest receiving TD since a 54-yard TD on 10/3/21 at New Orleans with the N.Y. Giants.
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