Jaguars Recap: Looking Back at Jacksonville’s Loss to Philadelphia
philadelphiaeagles.com
PHILADELPHIA – It’s a dismal Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field as rain and wind persist in South Philadelphia – but that hasn’t stopped Eagles fans.
The stadium is packed with ponchos as the team looks to preserve its undefeated start to the 2022 season against the Jaguars and former Head Coach Doug Pederson.
Pederson’s welcome was a warm one as he trotted onto his former field on Sunday – it’s what he hoped for. He was met with loud applause and a standing ovation during the Jaguars’ introduction.
Fond memories of Super Bowl LII rang through Lincoln Financial Field as stadium cameras panned toward the 2017 World Championship banner – but once the Eagles were introduced, all attention shifted to the 3-0 home team.
FIRST QUARTER
The Eagles’ defense was off to a hot start – they forced a three-and-out on the Jaguars’ first possession of the game. Trevor Lawrence recorded two consecutive incompletions to close out the drive, both targets to wide receiver Christian Kirk.
The offense did not fare as well in its first possession – the Jaguars intercepted a pass and ran it in for the first points of the game. Safety Andre Cisco intercepted Hurts’ pass intended for Zach Pascal at the Jacksonville 41; he scored a 59-yard touchdown with 11:30 remaining in the quarter. Jalen Hurts went 1-for-3 for 8 yards in the Eagles’ first offensive series.
Jaguars Trevor Lawrence took advantage of the diluted coverage from the Eagles’ defense; he threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jamal Agnew to cap off an 8-play, 80-yard drive, increasing their lead to 14-0 with 3:50 left in the first quarter.
The Eagles’ offense began to show signs of life with 3:44 left in the first quarter. Hurts completed a deep 31-yard pass to A.J. Brown, but the Jaguars stifled the run for the remainder of the drive. The Eagles went for it on fourth-and-3 from Jaguars’ territory, but Hurts’ pass was incomplete. The Jaguars regained possession with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
The Eagles entered the second quarter facing their largest deficit yet this season. The defense started the quarter with urgency – Trevor Lawrence dropped the ball on a fourth-down attempt, and it was recovered by Fletcher Cox at the 43-yard line.
The offense matched the defense’s energy – the Eagles marched the ball down the field with three straight completions for a touchdown from A.J. Brown; he celebrated the touchdown and the birth of his child AJ Brown Jr. by cradling the ball like a baby – until it was nullified due to a downfield blocking penalty called on Dallas Goedert.
Nonetheless, the Eagles persisted. This time, Jalen Hurts ran it in for 3 yards and a touchdown on fourth-and-goal. The Eagles put up their first points of the game, capping a 7-play 57-yard drive. The score read 14-7 with 9:13 remaining in the half.
Another Eagle down – outside linebacker Patrick Johnson entered the medical tent after the Jaguars’ first play of the subsequent series. He is being evaluated for a head injury. But that didn’t stop the Eagles’ defense, they rode the building momentum, forcing a three-and-out.
Running back Trey Sermon made his Eagles debut with 5:08 remaining in the first half – he took it 14 yards to Jacksonville’s 14-yard line in his first carry in Philadelphia.
The Eagles tie it! Miles Sanders carried for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 14-14 with 3:55 remaining in the first half.
The Eagles quickly regained possession – hometown hero Haason Reddick recovered a Trevor Lawrence fumble at the Jacksonville 35.
After the turnover, the Eagles went for it on fourth down – and converted at the Jacksonville 12 on a Hurts QB sneak! The Eagles took their first lead of the game on a 10-yard touchdown run by Kenneth Gainwell. Jake Elliott missed the extra point, so it’s 20-14 at halftime. The Eagles will get the ball first to start the second half.
THIRD QUARTER
Eagles had the ball to start the third quarter, Jalen Hurts was sacked for -9 yards at the Philadelphia 43 shortly after completing a short middle pass to A.J. Brown. The offense was unable to produce; the Jaguars forced Arryn Siposs to punt.
Eagles defense came out aggressive – T.J. Edwards sacked Lawrence on the first play of Jacksonville’s drive. Fletcher Cox and Josiah Scott matched that as they prevented a completion intended for wide receiver Jamal Agnew. The defense forced yet another three-and-out. Also, linebacker Patrick Johnson was downgraded to out with a head injury.
The Eagles struggled to deplete the Jaguars’ run game, but when Lawrence attempted a short-left pass to Christian Kirk, James Bradberry was there. He picked off the pass and advanced it 5 yards. The play marked Bradberry’s second INT as an Eagle, and he’s only been an Eagle for four games.
The interception was a big one – Sanders quickly capitalized on the opportunity, recording 44 yards on three straight carries.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni called an influential time out with two seconds remaining in the third quarter. The decision allowed Elliott to kick with the wind – but when he attempted, he was taken down; refs called a roughing the kicker penalty on Jaguars.
The penalty gave the Eagles an automatic first down – they get the ball to start the fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
Elliott appeared injured as he exited the field, but he continued to kick on the sideline. He re-entered the game to kick a 28-yard field goal. Eagles extend their lead 23-14 with 13:45 remaining in the game.
Another Reddick recovery! Reddick took down Lawrence for a strip-sack and recovery – Eagles got the ball at Jaguars 24 with 12:06 remaining in the game.
Miles Sanders took hold of the opportunity – he recorded his second touchdown of the game on a 5-yard carry, increasing the Eagles’ fourth-quarter lead to 29-14. The score capped a 6-play, 24-yard drive.
The Jaguars responded with a score of their own – Lawrence connected with Agnew for an 8-yard touchdown to close an efficient 6-play, 68-yard drive lasting just 1:30.
More injuries on both ends piled up for the Eagles through the fourth quarter. Right guard Isaac Seumalo was listed as questionable to return with an ankle injury, and linebacker Kyron Johnson was evaluated for a head injury. Seumalo was replaced by Sua Opeta.
It’s strip-sack season at Lincoln Financial Field! Reddick recorded another sack and Javon Hargrave recovered the fumble to ice the game. The play came after a big stop from the Jaguars’ defense that gave the offense another opportunity as the Eagles went for it on fourth-and-3 and Jalen Hurts’ pass intended for A.J. Brown fell incomplete.
But Reddick’s big play ensured that the Eagles remain the league’s only undefeated team.
