Eagles beat Vikings despite another subpar performance

The Philadelphia Eagles kick off the 2023 season undefeated after picking up a 34-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.  Quarterback Jalen Hurts finished the night completing 18 of 23 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown to one interception. He also added 35 yards and two scores on the ground.  Here is […]

Kelsey Kramer — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Eagles celebrate Jake Elliot's 61-yard field goal.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles kick off the 2023 season undefeated after picking up a 34-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. 

Quarterback Jalen Hurts finished the night completing 18 of 23 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown to one interception. He also added 35 yards and two scores on the ground. 

Here is what stood out in the first and second half for the Eagles in their Week 2 victory: 

First Half Notes

  • The Eagles' offense did not get off to a hot start in the first quarter as quarterback Jalen Hurts struggled to find any rhythm. 
  • DeVonta Smith made a 54-yard catch during the Eagles' first drive, which set the Eagles up for a field goal. 
  • Nickolas Morrow started in place of injured Nakobe Dean and made an immediate impact with a fumble recovery. 
  • Hurts targeted tight end Dallas Goedert (three catches on four targets) but then Hurts and company relied heavily on the run game in the second quarter with D'Andre Swift and Boston Scott leading the backfield. 
  • Swift dominated in both halves, finishing the night with a career-high 25 carries for 169 rushing yards and a score. 
  • Josh Jobe logged his first career start in place of the injured James Bradberry and played well in coverage against first-round pick Jordan Addison.
  • Terrell Edmunds recorded his first forced fumble of his career on Vikings' Justin Jefferson. 
  • Defense started off strong with four forced fumbles in the first half. 
  • Jake Elliot nailed a 61-yard field goal to end the half, which tied the longest of his career. 

Eagles lead 10-7 at the half. 

Second Half Notes

  • Defensive end Josh Sweat kicked off the second half with a strip sack and Fletcher Cox made the fumble recovery. 
  • Hurts started to look more comfortable in the second half relying on the run game.
  • DeVonta Smith surpassed his first-quarter catch with a 63-yard touchdown, marking the longest catch of his career. 
  • Rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter continued to prove he's the real deal, creating pressure even while being double-teamed. 
  • Eagles gave up a 62-yard TD to Jordan Addison to give the Vikings life
  • AJ Brown showed his frustration over lack of targets when the Eagles were up 27-14. Hurts then targeted Brown for a touchdown that was called back. 
  • Hurts targeted Brown back-to-back, but the second pass was ruled pass interference on a questionable call. 
  • Justin Jefferson became a problem for the Eagles defense.
  • Eagles' secondary didn't switch responsibilities off well in the red zone, which led to a K.J. Osborn touchdown with under 8 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. 
  • Eagles also failed in coverage again with under two minutes to go, letting TJ Hockenson reel one in. 

Eagles hold off the Vikings to win. 

Featured image by Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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