Breaking Down 6 Most Pivotal Plays from Philadelphia Eagles' Week 3 Win
Sunday’s Week 3 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins had to revoke memories of the legendary Body Bag Game between the two teams back in 1990. Amid numerous injuries and a fight that got All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters ejected, Chip Kelly’s Birds prevailed as 37-34 winners.
That puts the Eagles at 3-0 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC East. Philadelphia is one of just three undefeated teams left in the National Football League. This win wasn’t easy for the Eagles, and it wasn’t without paying a price.
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What was so remarkable about this win was that the Philadelphia offense scored 37 points despite LeSean McCoy's struggles running the football. McCoy mustered just 22 yards on 19 carries, but the precise passing of third-year quarterback Nick Foles bailed the Eagles out time and time again.
Special teams also came up big in this contest, and the defense once again provided a handful of game-changing plays in the waning moments. Picking just six memorable plays from a shootout like this is nearly impossible. This list doesn’t even include the near-interception that started the brawl, Cody Parkey’s 51-yard field goal or a number of fine throws from Foles.
But here are six that really stood out. (The plays are discussed in chronological order.)
Jordan Matthews’ Go-Ahead Touchdown Catch
The Washington Redskins controlled the outcome for much of the first half. Kirk Cousins led a touchdown drive on each of Washington's first two possessions, with Chris Polk taking back a kickoff 102 yards for a score in between.
The Redskins added a field goal to make it 17-7 before Nick Foles found Jordan Matthews for the rookie’s first-ever touchdown reception. Washington tacked on another field goal to take a 20-14 lead, but Foles had one final possession before halftime to give the Eagles the lead.
A 35-yard kick return by Polk gave Foles the ball at the Eagles 36 with 1:08 remaining before halftime. Foles methodically moved the ball downfield, a drive highlighted by a 26-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin that moved Philadelphia inside the Washington 20.
After Foles hit running back Darren Sproles for a two-yard gain. The Eagles had to spend their last timeout, giving Philly the ball with a 2nd-and-8 at the Washington 11 with 13 seconds on the clock. There would be time for at least two more plays, but a sack assuredly would end any chances of the Eagles scoring before intermission.
Foles lined up in shotgun.
As you can see, Riley Cooper was split out wide to the left. Jeremy Maclin was in the slot next to him with Jordan Matthews lined up next to left tackle Jason Peters. Darren Sproles lined up in the backfield.
Foles dropped back, eyes on Matthews the whole time.
Redskins linebacker Perry Riley was in coverage, but Foles threw an absolute dart to Matthews. It took a perfect throw for this not to be picked off or knocked down, and Foles threw it just out of Riley’s reach.
Here’s another angle of the throw, seen below.
This was truly a Pro Bowl throw by Foles, and it gave the Eagles a 21-20 lead right before halftime.
Jeremy Maclin’s Third-Down Conversion
By this point, it was anyone’s game. The Chris Baker-Jason Peters fight had already taken place, and Nick Foles was hurting. But the QB stayed in the game.
Following DeSean Jackson’s long touchdown grab to tie the game at 27 all, the Eagles had the ball at the Washington 48, facing a pivotal 3rd-and-8 midway through the fourth quarter.
Philly’s offensive line was paper thin, with Andrew Gardner and Wade Smith trying to hold down the tackle spots. On this particular play, Gardner was beat by Washington defensive lineman Frank Kearse, and Foles was also pressured heavily by Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo.
Here’s another shot that shows the hit Foles took as soon as he released the football.
In all, this was one of eight quarterback hits and 16 pressures the Eagles offensive line allowed on the day, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
And check out this close-up of Foles’ face as he hit the ground.
He looked to be in excruciating pain. What an unbelievable job by Foles to stand in and stay in the game and will his team to a win.
That’s not an easy throw to make under that pressure, and Foles put the ball where only Maclin could grab it near the sidelines.
It was initially ruled an incompletion, but a challenge overturned the play and kept the Eagles’ eventual game-winning drive alive. Major props to Maclin for hauling in this ball.
Here’s another image:
Jeremy Maclin’s Go-Ahead Touchdown Catch
Jeremy Maclin’s tremendous day continued with this catch to give the Eagles a 34-27 lead.
The Eagles faced a 2nd-and-5 at the Washington 27 with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. They were in a trips-right formation, with Maclin lined up between Matthews and Cooper.
The Redskins stuck safety Brandon Meriweather against Maclin, and he just couldn’t keep up. Maclin was wide open here for an easy 27-yard touchdown.
Here’s another angle. Meriweather is a former two-time Pro Bowl safety, but he wasn’t even close on this play.
That's three game-winning touchdowns between Foles and Maclin in the 10 NFL games they've played together.
Malcolm Jenkins’ Interception
The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off after Jeremy Maclin’s touchdown, but they wasted no time getting the ball back right away. Kirk Cousins, who threw for 427 yards on the day, uncorked a terrible pass with his team desperately needing a score.
The Redskins lined up at their own 20 following a touchback. Cousins had three receivers, a tight end and a running back.
Cousins clearly wasn’t on the same page with tight end Niles Paul, and his pass was vastly underthrown. Eagles’ safety Malcolm Jenkins made a tremendous diving interception, his second such in the last two games.
"People criticized Eagles signing of Malcolm Jenkins in free agency due to bad PFF grades. Thru 3 games: Jenkins 5th, Ward 45th, Byrd 54th
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) September 23, 2014"
That gave Philly back the ball and allowed Cody Parkey to add three more points to the Eagles lead.
Brandon Boykin’s Third-Down Knockdown
The Eagles added on a field goal to take a 10-point lead, but Washington responded right away as Kirk Cousins led an impressive touchdown drive to make it a 37-34 game.
Philly went three-and-out, and a holding penalty wiped out Donnie Jones’ impressive 59-yard punt. He followed that up with just a 31-yarder, and suddenly, Washington had the ball at the Philadelphia 41 with 2:25 on the clock, needing three points to tie the game.
Alfred Morris was stopped on first down for no gain and then Cousins’ pass intended for DeSean Jackson was incomplete. On third down, Cousins targeted Andre Roberts. He nearly had a completion but last year’s frequent hero, Brandon Boykin, made an unbelievable deflection.
It truly was an exceptional play by Boykin, who flashes top-notch closing speed. There’s a reason Philadelphia defensive coordinator Billy Davis likes to keep Boykin in the slot, and Boykin came up huge with the game on the line here.
From there, Cousins’ fourth-down pass to Pierre Garcon fell incomplete, and Nick Foles got the ball back with a chance to ice the game.
Nick Foles’ Game-Sealing Conversion to James Casey
A first-down run by LeSean McCoy lost a yard. That gave the Philadelphia Eagles a 2nd-and-11 at their own 40 with 1:43 remaining and needing desperately to get a first down and preserve a three-point lead.
And that’s when Chip Kelly dialed up a gutsy play call that worked like a charm.
Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin lined up to the right. McCoy was in the backfield. Brent Celek and James Casey were lined up as tight ends next to the left tackle, with Casey a step behind Celek.
Upon taking the snap, Foles faked a handoff to McCoy, who was running to the right side of the field. The whole Redskins defense shifted in anticipation of McCoy getting the ball.
Foles rolled to the left after the fake, and there literally wasn’t a defender within six yards of him.
That’s when Foles unleashed a strike to Casey, a hybrid fullback/tight end who hadn’t caught a pass since Week 10 of the 2013 season, nearly 10 months prior.
That was a phenomenal play call by Kelly to cap off a hard-fought 37-34 win by Philadelphia, and it sends the 3-0 Eagles out West to take on the San Francisco 49ers in what should be another extremely tough matchup.
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