PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles were on the verge of achieving a 2-0 record but faced an unexpected defeat instead. The game shifted dramatically when the Eagles failed to run out the clock, allowing the Atlanta Falcons to cover 70 yards in just over a minute, turning a likely victory into a loss.
The blame is shared among the team. With no timeouts left for the Falcons, the Eagles opted to pass on third down, resulting in a dropped pass by Saquan Barkley. This decision gave the Falcons more than 90 seconds to score the game-winning touchdown.
The Eagles now sit at 1-1 and have a short week to prepare for the 2-0 New Orleans Saints.
Blowing a late lead will certainly reflect negatively on the team’s performance. Here’s a breakdown of player grades:
A
DeVonta Smith – Smith rose to the occasion in A.J. Brown’s absence, making crucial catches including a touchdown in the back of the endzone. He recorded seven receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his ability to find space even under pressure.
Britain Covey – With increased playing time due to Brown’s absence, Covey took advantage, making key catches in tight areas. He contributed significantly by catching six passes for 23 yards.
B
Jalen Hurts – Hurts had an opportunity to secure a last-minute victory but was intercepted while trying to force a throw downfield. He was effective earlier in the game, using his legs to gain positive yardage and moving the chains. Hurts completed 23 of 30 passes for 183 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, and rushed 13 times for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Saquan Barkley – Barkley had a solid game but dropped a critical pass that could have sealed the win for the Eagles. Despite this, he had a strong showing in his home debut, averaging nine yards per carry early in the game. He finished with important contributions, including a two-point conversion that briefly put the Eagles ahead.
Offensive Line – The offensive line performed well by creating running lanes for Barkley, though they were penalized for illegal player downfield calls and holding violations. Overall, they allowed the offense to compile nearly 200 rushing yards.
Thomas Booker IV – Booker was active on defense, making crucial tackles and helping limit the Falcons to field goals in the red zone. He recorded three tackles, two of which were for a loss.
C
Linebackers – The performance of the linebackers was subpar as they struggled to contain the Falcons’ rushing attack. Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean failed to effectively meet Bijan Robinson at the line of scrimmage. Baun registered nine tackles, while Dean had seven.
D
Kellen Moore – Moore faced criticism for a pivotal late-game decision to throw the ball instead of running, leading to an incomplete pass that stopped the clock and allowed the Falcons the opportunity to win. Despite this misstep, the offense had several long drives, accumulating 365 total yards and controlling possession for over 35 minutes.
F
Nick Sirianni – As the head coach, Sirianni had to oversee the loss and was involved in key decisions, including the decision to throw during the critical third down. He also chose to forgo a field goal opportunity inside the 10-yard line earlier in the game, contributing to the defeat.
Vic Fangio – Fangio’s defense faced a critical test that they couldn’t meet, allowing the Falcons to score a touchdown after receiving the ball on their own 30 with no timeouts.
Defensive Line – The Eagles’ defensive line struggled against the Falcons, failing to stop their run effectively and generating little to no pass rush, finishing with only one sack and allowing the Falcons to accumulate a total of 385 yards.