NASHVILLE – One minute, 56 seconds remaining on the clock, Eagles trailing the Tennessee Titans by three points. One offensive drive remaining, with a game on the line and zero timeouts in the pocket. And what the Eagles’ offense did – led by quarterback Jalen Hurts – was just, simply, incredible.
Nine plays. Sixty-five yards. And the final snap, a Hurts pass into the end zone – a feathery touch, perfect placement over outstretched defensive fingers – caught by a leaping Darius Cooper for a touchdown and Nissan Stadium erupted into a massive spasm of “E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!” chants as Philadelphia came from behind in the final seconds on Sunday to snatch a 24-20 win on the road to move to 2-0 for the season.
The drive, play by play right here …
First-and-10 at the Philadelphia 35-yard line, Hurts passes incomplete over the middle intended for wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Second-and-10, Hurts passes complete for wide receiver DeVonta Smith on the right sideline for 4 yards as Smith gets out of bounds. Third-and-6, 1:48 to go, Hurts finds Wicks on the right side and Wicks catches the ball in traffic for a 20-yard gain to the Tennessee 41-yard line.
The next snap, with 1:20 on the clock, Hurts to Smith for 9 yards to the 32-yard line and then goes back to Smith for 6 yards as the clock stops with 51 seconds remaining. After an incomplete pass, Hurts ran for 4 yards up the middle and then came back with a completion to Smith in between two Titans defenders on the left sideline for 19 yards as Smith goes out of bounds at the 3-yard line with 14 seconds on the clock.
And then the touchdown pass to Cooper and bedlam in the stands and on the sideline.
Absolutely incredible victory for the Eagles.
“It was a great play call by Coach Sean (Mannion, offensive coordinator),” said Cooper after scoring his first NFL touchdown. “My assignment was really to pick for Smitty so that he could get on the outbreaker (route). But I guess they had that covered and I ended up being open. Jalen made a great read and put the ball right where it needed to be.”
Hurts completed 6-of-8 passes for 61 yards on the drive and he needed every one of those plays to win the game.
“It was fun, honestly,” said Smith, who caught 4 passes for 38 yards on the drive and had 10 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. “Game on the line, shouldn’t have been that close, but you live for moments like that.”
The Eagles overcame some adversity in this one, in addition to the late-game deficit. Running back Saquon Barkley was limited in playing time with a stinger and had just 4 carries for 9 yards. Tight end Dallas Goedert left the game early and did not return after suffering a knee injury. Hurts threw two interceptions, but bounced back to complete 26 of 37 passes for 264 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“Jalen, he’s the ultimate competitor,” linebacker Zack Baun said. “Dawg mentality, doesn’t let anything or anyone get to him.”