Eagles-Patriots analysis: Birds survive a comeback effort in a nail-biting 25-20 win

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — With less than four minutes remaining and the Eagles possessing a five-point lead over the New England Patriots, Jalen Hurts jetted upfield on a designed run out of an empty set — a play call made by new offensive coordinator Brian Johnson. But when the 25-year-old quarterback dove forward, Hurts lost control, and the Patriots pounced on the fumble to record a momentum-swinging turnover.

As Hurts retreated to the visitors’ sideline, an elated roar from the 65,000-plus fans in attendance trailed his every step. When Hurts reached the bench, Brandon Graham embraced him as if he were reassuring him the defense had his back.

On this wet, dreary Sunday, the defense had an assortment of questionable moments, but the unit buckled down when it needed to most. During consecutive late-game possessions, the Eagles forced a pair of turnovers on downs to effectively cement their 25-20 win in the season opener.

Ahead of Sunday, Super Bowl losers were 4-16 over the last 20 Week 1 road games. The reigning NFC champions made it a nail-biter, but the Eagles escaped Gillette Stadium with a narrow victory.

“We have a lot of mistakes to clean up,” said coach Nick Sirianni, who improved to 3-0 in season openers. “We didn’t finish some drives. We got into ruts. But I have a ton of respect for the Patriots. They all played really solid football.”

The Patriots had two chances to win the game down the stretch. On the series after Hurts’ fumble, New England quarterback Mac Jones was sacked for a 7-yard loss by Jordan Davis and Josh Sweat. On fourth-and-17, Jones threw an incomplete pass.

New England got the ball back with 1:48 left after Hurts threw an incompletion on fourth-and-2 at the Patriots 44. Rookie Jalen Carter sacked Jones on second-and-10 at the Eagles 19. The Patriots QB completed a pass to Kayshon Boutte on fourth down, but Boutte’s foot was out of bounds after a video review, ending the threat and effectively the game.

“[Boutte] ain’t have two feet in, so I knew it was ball game,” said reserve cornerback Josh Jobe, who filled in for James Bradberry near the end of the game. “Mac Jones was looking at me, so I was hoping he’d throw it my way. I was gonna be ready at all costs. I just had to stay over the top and play the sticks.”

DeVonta Smith’s chin was up, so much that you could spot his wide grin from underneath his helmet and tinted visor. The third-year wide receiver celebrated by rocking the football like a baby — a tribute to his new fatherhood — after he hauled in an impressive 5-yard touchdown completion from Hurts near the right side of the end zone.

With Smith’s score — paired with Jake Elliott’s 32-yard field goal and Darius Slay’s 70-yard pick-six off Jones, all of which occurred during the first quarter — the Eagles stormed to 16 unanswered points to begin the opener.

“That’s a great, great win for us,” Hurts said. “We were resilient. Winning is the only thing that matters — all the time. That’s the mentality right now. ...I think we obviously have things that we need to work on when the ball is in my hand.”

But then the offense — and more specifically, coordinator Johnson — hit a lull. The Eagles ended the half with four consecutive three-and-outs, along with a meaningless running play before the team headed for the locker room.

In his debut as the offensive play caller, Johnson left much to be desired with his sequencing and questionable decisions. Deploying a unit that retained nine starters from a group that reached the Super Bowl and set several franchise records, Johnson neglected to put Hurts in a comfortable spot with his calls.

It should be noted the Eagles started all four drives that ended in three-and-outs deep inside their own territory. Regardless, Johnson was unable to help the offense string together any momentum. His decision to hand the ball off to Boston Scott on third-and-10 was puzzling at best. Additionally, tight end Dallas Goedert did not see his first and only target until the beginning of the fourth quarter.

“We weren’t winning on first and second down,” Sirianni said. “That’s on everybody. That’s on us putting the players in position to succeed and us being able to execute. Getting into third down and not manageable. I’ve got to look at the game, but I thought we struggled in both [passing and running] parts of that game right there. It starts with myself and Brian putting them in positions to succeed.

“We can’t go a game without getting [Goedert] the football. He’s too good of a playmaker. There were some things the Patriots did that made it difficult for us to give him quick, easy touches.”

To Johnson’s credit, adjustments were applied at halftime. The Eagles left New England thirsting for more, but they scored field goals on three of their four possessions in the second half. Elliott converted on attempts from 32, 56, 48, and 51 yards.

Hurts completed 22 of 33 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. As a rusher, he had nine attempts with 37 rushing yards.

“A lot to clean up,” Hurts said. “I give a lot of credit to Jake Elliott. I don’t like him kicking, but he showed up and made big-time plays for us. It’s a lot to clean up obviously. We have to be able to execute at a higher level and be more efficient.”

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Running back Kenneth Gainwell paced the offense with 14 carries for 54 yards, while receiver A.J. Brown led the team with seven catches for 79 yards, and Smith added seven catches for 47 yards.

“I thought [Johnson] was awesome,” Sirianni said. “Communication was great. I didn’t feel operation problems on the offensive side. Brian was cool and calm, he had a great demeanor. He made adjustments in the second half to throw it a little more. Brian had conviction and I was happy with how he performed as the offensive coordinator.”

The Eagles entered the opener with a healthy 53-man roster, but linebacker Nakobe Dean exited in the second half with a foot injury. Reserve linebacker Christian Elliss filled in for Dean, who did not return.

Bradberry also visited the medical tent following his helmet-to-helmet collision with teammate Terrell Edmunds near the end of the game. Bradberry departed for the locker room. He was replaced by Jobe, who trailed Boutte on the Patriots’ final play.