simmytbone
12-27-2014, 08:01 AM
Hey guys,
The Philadelphia Eagles may be out of the Playoffs, but prior to the month of December, they have accomplished a few things this year:
They swept the AFC South, they got payback on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football and they went to Dallas and def. the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day 2014, plus LeSean McCoy won the Galloping Gobbler Award, plus they def. the Redskins and the GIANTS in Philly as well, but with success, the team has struggled on offense
They also went 6-2 @ home this year
also, the Eagles have picked up 2 Former Saints Players in Darren Sproles and Malcolm Jenkins and this duo has once again gave Cam Newton Fits
Here are the stories:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20140907_JAC@PHI
Foles leads Eagles to 34-17 win over Jaguars
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Sep. 7, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Chip Kelly's halftime message to his team was simple: Execute.
Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes in the second half and the Philadelphia Eagles rallied from 17-0 deficit to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-17 Sunday.
''You can't lose your head out there,'' Kelly said. ''You have to understand that it's a long game. We felt there were plays to be made.''
Foles overcame three turnovers in the first half and threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin early in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles their first lead. Fletcher Cox returned a fumble 17 yards for a TD to seal the win.
Philadelphia is the first team to win by 17 points after being blanked and trailing by 17 points at halftime.
Chad Henne threw two touchdown passes to rookie Allen Hurns in the first quarter as the Jaguars (0-1) jumped ahead of the defending NFC East champion Eagles (1-0) early.
But the Jags couldn't sustain their success.
''It's going to be a good lesson for us to take a look at this game and see it is going to be a full 60 minutes that you have to play,'' coach Gus Bradley said.
The Eagles scored TDs on their first two possessions in the third quarter to get within 17-14. Cody Parkey hit a 51-yard field goal on his first career attempt in the fourth to tie it at 17-17.
Then Foles made a perfect deep throw to a wide-open Maclin for the longest pass of his career to put the Eagles ahead 24-17.
''We tried that about five times. We finally got it,'' Kelly said.
Darren Sproles had a 49-yard TD run in his debut with Philadelphia. Zach Ertz caught a 25-yard TD pass from Foles.
Hurns, a rookie free agent from Miami, became the first player with a pair of touchdown receptions in the first quarter of his NFL debut. He scored on his first two catches.
''There's a lot of good things that we did. But at the end of the day, we didn't finish,'' Hurns said.
Foles rebounded from an awful first half to finish with 322 yards passing. He had two fumbles and one pick in the first 20 minutes after he had only four turnovers (two fumbles, two INTs) in a breakout season last year that ended with him being offensive MVP of the Pro Bowl.
''When you face adversity, you have to respond,'' Foles said. ''You can't get frustrated. We made corrections and kept playing.''
Early on, the Eagles barely resembled the offense that set several team records in 2013. The Jaguars stifled Kelly's up-tempo attack, limiting the Eagles to only 129 yards in the first half.
Sproles got them going. He made a one-handed catch and turned it into an 8-yard gain right before he burst up the middle for a 49-yard TD run on fourth-and-1. The longest run in Sproles' nine-year career cut the deficit to 17-7.
''We knew they were getting kind of tired,'' Sproles said. ''We hurried up on them and they weren't even set. They left a big hole in the middle of the field and that's what you want to see as a running back.''
After the Jags went three-and-out, Sproles returned a punt 22 yards to the Jaguars 40. On third-and-5, Foles hit Ertz over the middle for a score to get the Eagles within 17-14.
In the first half, Foles looked nothing like the guy who posted one of the best statistical seasons in history last year. He had 27 touchdown passes and only two interceptions, setting an NFL record for best TD/interception ratio. His passer rating of 119.2 was the third-highest ever.
Foles lost fumbles on Philadelphia's first two possessions, setting up both of Jacksonville's touchdowns.
First, Henne connected with Hurns on a 34-yard TD pass to make it 7-0. Henne then hit Hurns for a 21-yard score on slant pass to make it 14-0.
Josh Scobee nailed a 49-yard field goal to put the Jaguars up 17-0 in the second quarter.
The Eagles were at the Jags 5 when Foles threw an interception to Alan Ball in the back of the end zone.
NOTES: Eagles All-Pro LG Evan Mathis sustained a left knee injury in the first half. RT Allen Barbre injured his right ankle. Kelly had no updates. ... Jaguars SS Johnathan Cyprien and LB J.T. Thomas left with head injuries. ... Eagles DE Brandon Bair blocked Scobee's 36-yard field goal to keep it at 17-0.
1 week later....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20140915_PHI@IND
Foles leads Eagles to 30-27 win against Colts
By MICHAEL MAROT | AP Sports Writer
Sep. 16, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) With Nick Foles at quarterback and LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles in the backfield, the Philadelphia Eagles are never out of the game.
They proved it again on Monday night.
Foles threw a tying touchdown pass with 3:25 to go, and then set up Cody Parkey for the winning 36-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Philadelphia to a 30-27 win at the Indianapolis Colts.
Sproles had seven receptions for 152 yards to go along with a touchdown run as the Eagles (2-0) won their first game on the road for the sixth consecutive season. Philadelphia, which stormed back from a 17-0 halftime deficit to beat Jacksonville 34-17 in Week 1, also became the fourth team in the last 30 years to win consecutive games in which it trailed by 14 or more points in the 2nd half, according to STATS.
''He's just a special player,'' coach Chip Kelly said, praising Sproles for his role in the prime-time comeback. ''The first day we had him it was, `How many different ways can we find ways to get him the football?' He's just a dynamic football player.''
Philadelphia's latest rally came against the defending AFC South champs, against a team that had never lost back-to-back regular-season games with Andrew Luck at quarterback. The Colts (0-2) led 17-6 at halftime, but committed two costly turnovers in the second half that the Eagles turned into 14 second-half points.
Foles was 21 of 37 for 331 yards with one touchdown - a 6-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin with 3:25 to go that tied it at 27. McCoy ran 20 times for 79 yards and scored Philadelphia's first touchdown of the night with 4:32 left in the third quarter.
The Eagles appeared to be in trouble when Indianapolis was driving with a 27-20 lead in the fourth. But Luck's short pass intended for T.Y. Hilton with 5:08 to go was intercepted by Malcolm Jenkins.
Two plays later, McCoy was stopped for a loss but LaRon Landry was called for a questionable horse-collar tackle. Sproles then took a swing pass for a 51-yard gain to the 6, and Foles found Maclin for the tying score.
''Without Sproles, we would be in some trouble, to be honest, we really would. That's why we're a team,'' McCoy said. ''When guys are struggling, he's picking everybody up. He's helping me out. I need to get my thing together. I don't feel like I'm playing to the level I should be playing at.''
Luck, who was 20 of 34 for 172 yards with three TDs, walked into the postgame news conference for the second straight week and said he made a ''stupid'' decision when he threw the interception even though replays also appeared to show Hilton had been grabbed by a defender. No call was made.
The calls weren't what the Colts were talking about, though.
Coach Chuck Pagano was more disturbed by the two turnovers, Luck's pick and Trent Richardson's fumble at his own 26-yard line, and a defense that couldn't stop the Eagles over the final 20 minutes of the game.
''The turnovers. Those were the killers in the second half,'' Pagano said. ''You've got to finish games, put people away.''
The Eagles' potent offense started slow, managing just two field goals in the first half. They finished strong, tying it at 20 when Sproles managed to stay on his feet for a 19-yard run late in the third and again at 27 on the TD pass to Maclin.
Luck drove the Colts right back down the field and hooked up with Ahmad Bradshaw for a tiebreaking score, but Indy couldn't close it out and the Eagles took advantage.
Indy looked as if it wouldn't need Luck's late-game heroics, thanks to a ground game that piled up 169 yards.
But the turnovers changed the whole complexion of things.
''We knew we had a field goal in the bag. Everybody saw what happened,'' Pagano said. ''The last words before the play were `Take care of the football.'''
Instead of taking a 10-point lead, McCoy got the Eagles' offense back on track and Sproles took care of the rest.
NOTES: Eagles CB Nolan Carroll II left the game with an injured elbow but returned in the third quarter after X-rays were negative. ... Philadelphia linebacker Mychal Kendricks left in the third quarter with a calf injury. ... Indy was hosting its first Monday night game since 2010.
7 Weeks Later....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141102_PHI@HOU
Sanchez helps Eagles over Texans 31-21
By KRISTIE RIEKEN | AP Sports Writer
Nov. 2, 2014
HOUSTON (AP) After his performance on Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles are confident they'll be fine with Mark Sanchez at quarterback if Nick Foles misses more time with an injury.
Sanchez replaced Foles, overcame turnovers and did enough to keep the Eagles in first place with a 31-21 win over the Houston Texans. Foles hurt his left shoulder late in the first quarter, and Sanchez came on to threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
''He's good,'' running back LeSean McCoy said. ''Even when he came here it's hard to look at him as a backup because of (the) success he's had and experience. I think today wasn't really something surprising to the team.''
''I think we'll do some damage if Nick can't go,'' McCoy continued. ''He'll step in there and do a great job.''
Sanchez, who also threw two interceptions, missed all of last season after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder in the preseason. He last played on Dec. 30, 2012, with the New York Jets.
The Eagles (6-2) led by 3 when Jeremy Maclin grabbed a low throw from Sanchez for an 8-yard touchdown to make it 31-21, sealing the win with about four minutes remaining.
Sanchez didn't waste any time in his Philadelphia debut, finding Maclin deep on his first play for a 52-yard gain. Five plays later, he threw a perfect pass to Jordan Matthews for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 14-7 in the second quarter.
He admitted to being a bit nervous before the throw to Maclin. Those butterflies dissolved after that strike.
''You want to get the first throw out of the way. And thanks to Chip we throw it right down the field,'' Sanchez said. ''So that will get your nerves gone.''
Coach Chip Kelly didn't provide many details of the injury to Foles, saying only: ''He's in a sling right now, and that's all I got.''
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 203 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Houston (4-5). The Texans had trouble getting their offense going.
''It was a tough day, and obviously that falls on the quarterback in terms of not being able to get things started and accomplished,'' Fitzpatrick said.
Maclin finished with two touchdowns and 158 yards receiving and McCoy had 117 yards rushing.
The Eagles were up by 10 and driving late in the third quarter when Jumal Rolle grabbed his second interception of the game.
DeMeco Ryans intercepted Fitzpatrick at the Philadelphia 10, but was injured on the play and fumbled the ball as he fell to the ground. DeAndre Hopkins recovered for Houston and scored on a 7-yard reception two plays later to cut the lead to 24-21.
Ryans tore his right Achilles tendon, a person familiar with the injury said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Eagles didn't release details of the injury.
Top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney (illness) and linebacker Brian Cushing (knee) were inactive for the Texans and they lost starting cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph (concussion) and Kareem Jackson (knee) to injuries in the first quarter.
Houston's defense got to the quarterback early, with four sacks in the first half. The Eagles had allowed just two in the previous six games.
Whitney Mercilus sacked Foles twice in three plays, driving him hard into the turf on the second one to send the quarterback to the locker room.
Houston tied it at 14-14 when Arian Foster grabbed a 56-yard TD pass about four minutes before halftime. That score was set up when receiver Josh Huff tipped a pass by Sanchez that was intercepted by Rolle.
Foster left late in the game and coach Bill O'Brien said he injured his groin and that he hoped he'd be OK after an extra week of rest with the bye next week.
A 45-yard field goal by Cody Parkey gave the Eagles a 17-14 lead at halftime.
Houston missed a 39-yard field goal in the third quarter. The Eagles used four straight running plays capped by an 8-yard run by Chris Polk after that to extend their lead to 24-14 with about three minutes left in the third.
NOTES: Eagles S Safety Nate Allen had started 23 straight games before sitting out with a hamstring injury. ... J.J. Watt finished with 1 1/2 sacks and has 6 1/2 in his last four games. ... Maclin has three touchdowns for 50 yards or longer this season.
and a few weeks later....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141123_TEN@PHI
Huff, McCoy lead Eagles past Titans 43-24
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Nov. 23, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) It took the Philadelphia Eagles just 13 seconds to wipe a terrible loss from memory.
Josh Huff returned the opening kickoff 107 yards, LeSean McCoy ran for 130 yards and the Eagles beat the Tennessee Titans 43-24 on Sunday.
''We talk about starting fast, but you can't start faster than that,'' coach Chip Kelly said. ''It takes the wind out of the sails for the other team.''
Coming off a 53-20 loss at Green Bay, the Eagles jumped ahead of the lowly Titans immediately and never let up.
Huff ran up the right side, broke a tackle inside the 30, cut to the right sideline and stiff-armed a defender at the Titans 20 on his way to the end zone for his first career TD.
His return was the longest in franchise history and the 10th non-offensive touchdown for Philadelphia this season.
''That's not the way you want to start the game off,'' Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said. ''It's tough. But to get down 17-0, I thought we made a good recovery in the second quarter.''
Mark Sanchez threw for 307 yards and one touchdown in his third start for the injured Nick Foles. He has 300 yards passing in three straight games, tying a team record.
Rookie Zach Mettenberger had 345 yards passing and two TDs and Delanie Walker had 155 yards receiving for the Titans (2-9).
Now, the Eagles (8-3) can shift their focus to the Cowboys (7-3) for a first-place showdown on Thanksgiving. The top two teams in the NFC East will play twice in 18 days, starting with Thursday's game at Dallas.
''We were in the third quarter and fans are screaming about the Dallas game,'' Sanchez said. ''It's obviously a big rivalry. I'll get a good introduction to it this week.''
After the first of four straight three-and-outs to start the game by the Titans, the Eagles went up 14-0 on a 4-yard TD run by Darren Sproles.
McCoy had a 2-yard TD run in the second quarter. Sanchez fired a 14-yard TD pass to James Casey in the third quarter.
The Titans didn't get a first down until Mettenberger threw a 40-yard TD pass to Justin Hunter on their fifth offensive series. Brandon Ghee intercepted Sanchez at the Eagles 30 to set up the score that cut it to 17-7.
Mettenberger tossed a 68-yard pass to Walker to start the next drive to set up Shonn Greene's 2-yard TD run, cutting the deficit to 20-14.
Cody Parkey kicked field goals of 36, 26, 35, 40 and 50 yards but his 49-yard attempt hit the post at the end of the first half to snap his successful streak at 17.
The Eagles sacked Mettenberger five times, including 2 1/2 by Connor Barwin and two for Trent Cole.
McCoy, the reigning NFL rushing champion, hasn't looked the same this year with his yards-per-carry average down more than one yard. He was irritated this week by questions from reporters suggesting he lost a step. So, McCoy responded with his third 100-yard performance in the past six games. He had a season-best 53-yard run.
''Everybody has their opinion, but the guys in the locker room know what's up,'' McCoy said. ''But that's fine. When the running game isn't going well, I'll take the blame.''
The Eagles beat the Titans for the first time. They were 0-4 against them after their move from Houston to Tennessee.
''We just weren't able to protect the ball like we wanted to,'' Mettenberger said. ''We needed more points, more first downs.''
NOTES: The Eagles are the first team since the Packers in 1970 to have two players with kickoff returns of 100-plus yards in the same season. Chris Polk had one for 102 yards in Week 3 vs. Washington. ... The 10 touchdowns on special teams and defense are a franchise-record for the Eagles. ... Mettenberger's 345 yards passing a rookie franchise record. ... Sanchez was intercepted twice and has six picks in four games. ... Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and Nick Foles also had three straight 300-yard passing games for Philadelphia. ... Eagles LB Emmanuel Acho injured his groin chasing Walker on the long catch and didn't return. ... Titans C Brian Schwenke caught a batted pass for a 6-yard gain before he fumbled it away. ... Eagles Barwin has a career-best 12 1/2 sacks. ... Parkey broke a team record with his fourth 50-plus yarder in a season.
Meanwhile....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20140921_WAS@PHI
Matthews, Maclin lead Eagles over Redskins 37-34
By BARRY WILNER | AP Pro Football Writer
Sep. 21, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) A rookie's breakthrough. An exiled receiver's return. A brawl.
Oh yeah, and another comeback win.
Nothing normal seems to happen this season for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jordan Matthews, the draft pick who replaced DeSean Jackson, and veteran Jeremy Maclin lifted the Eagles past the star receiver's new team Sunday. Philadelphia again stormed from behind to win, beating the Washington Redskins 37-34 as Mathews caught two touchdown passes and Maclin had one.
The Eagles are the first NFL team to start a season 3-0 after trailing by 10-plus points in each game.
''Man, that was an emotional one,'' said Matthews, who scored his first NFL touchdowns. ''They are close (games), so I know that coach (Chip) Kelly is losing some hair.''
The nasty game was marred by a fourth-quarter brawl near the Washington sideline after Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was blindsided by defensive lineman Chris Baker during an apparent interception return. Baker and Eagles left tackle Jason Peters were ejected - and then the INT was overturned by video replay. That led to Maclin's 27-yard touchdown to break a 27-27 tie.
Maclin credited Foles' toughness with inspiring the Eagles.
''That's the guy you want, the guy who gets up play after play,'' Maclin said.
Maclin, who missed all of 2013 with a knee injury, finished with eight catches for 154 yards. Matthews also had eight receptions.
Jackson wasn't going to let Philadelphia forget him. The receiver, cut by Kelly last winter, caught an 81-yard touchdown pass and added a Rockettes-style kick to his celebration as his former fans loudly booed. He gained 117 yards on five catches.
''Honestly, it's a new time. It's a new era,'' said Jackson, who was one of the first players to leave the field after the game. ''I don't see them worrying about me, and I don't worry about them. I'm happy where I'm at.''
The Eagles, who rallied from 17 points down in their first two victories, came back from an early 17-7 deficit to drop Washington to 1-2 even though the Redskins outgained Philly 511-379.
Philadelphia has scored 101 points in three wild games.
''We stick together and there's a great camaraderie,'' Foles said. ''In the locker room during games like that, we lean on each other instead of blaming each other. That's what football should be about.''
Rookie Cody Parkey's third field goal, a 51-yarder with 5:55 remaining, turned out to be the winning points when Washington scored a late TD.
Philadelphia's Chris Polk had a 102-yard kickoff return, the first for an Eagle at Lincoln Financial Field, which opened in 2003.
Washington's Kirk Cousins threw for 427 yards and three touchdowns in his first start replacing injured Robert Griffin III. Cousins came in last week to pass for two TDs when RG3 hurt his ankle.
As they did in record-setting fashion in their first two victories, the Eagles fell into a hole. Kai Forbath's 49-yard field goal made it 17-7. Once again, the Eagles didn't flinch.
The Redskins couldn't handle Matthews, Philadelphia's second-round pick from Vanderbilt. He slipped into the back of the end zone off play-action for an 11-yard pass from Foles, who threw for 325 yards. Then Matthews took a perfect toss over two defenders for a 10-yard TD and the halftime lead.
Jackson tied the game 27-27 late in the third quarter on a fly pattern, shaking off an attempted tackle by Cary Williams and turning around as he pranced into the end zone - then making a kicking motion as if to remind the Eagles that they kicked him out of Philadelphia.
''Those are spur-of-the-moment type things,'' Jackson said. ''When I get the opportunity to make plays, whatever comes to my mind, that's what I'm going to react to.''
The Redskins had a chance to take the lead, but Forbath, who'd made 18 straight field goals, hit the right upright with a 33-yarder with 10:07 left.
On the next play, the officials ruled on the field that Breeland intercepted Foles - leading to the brawl. But replays clearly showed the ball hit the ground.
And Philly was aided by another video review soon after when Maclin's lunging sideline catch was called incomplete, then reversed. Two plays later, Maclin was in the end zone.
NOTES: Quintin Demps was the last Eagle to return a kickoff for a TD, in 2008. ... Washington CB DeAngelo Hall needed help getting off the field after an Achilles tendon injury. OG Shawn Lauvao had knee swelling, DL Jason Hatcher hurt his hamstring, and S Duke Ihenacho injured his foot. ... Philadelphia lost center Jason Kelce (abdomen), and LeSean McCoy was checked for a concussion before returning.
a few weeks later....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141012_NYG@PHI
Eagles dominate in 27-0 win over Giants
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Oct. 13, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) From start to finish, the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the New York Giants on offense, defense and special teams.
Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes and LeSean McCoy had a season-high 149 yards rushing to help the Eagles beat the Giants 27-0 on Sunday night for their first shutout in 18 years.
''As a collective unit, as an entire team, we did a tremendous job in all three phases,'' cornerback Cary Williams said.
A rough night for the Giants (3-3) became worse when wide receiver Victor Cruz tore the patellar tendon his right knee while leaping for a pass on fourth down from the Eagles 3 in the third quarter. Cruz, a 2012 Pro Bowl pick, was crying and holding his hands to his face as he was carted off the field with an injury that's expected to end his season.
''Huge loss,'' Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. ''It wasn't a good situation, a grim scene.''
Wearing all-black uniforms for the first time in franchise history, the Eagles (5-1) stayed tied with Dallas (5-1) for the lead in the NFC East. They hadn't shut out an opponent since a 24-0 win over the Giants on Dec. 1, 1996, at old Veterans Stadium.
Foles had 248 yards passing, Darren Sproles ran for a score and the offense had a rare strong start.
The defense harassed and pressured Eli Manning often, sacking him six times and preventing New York's upstart offense from getting on track. The Giants had won three in a row, scoring more than 30 points in each victory.
''It's a good reminder that you just can't show up on the field and have things go well for you automatically,'' Manning said. ''We got outplayed, outperformed.''
Manning was sacked only seven times in the first five games before Connor Barwin (three), Vinny Curry (two) and Trent Cole (one) took him down. Brandon Graham and Brandon Bair sacked Ryan Nassib to make it eight for the defense.
''When you have a guy with his experience and intelligence, you disguise a little more,'' defensive coordinator Billy Davis said about facing Manning.
The Eagles entered with 11 offensive touchdowns and seven from their defense and special teams. But Foles and Co. didn't need much help in this one.
Foles tossed a 15-yard scoring pass to Zach Ertz for Philadelphia's first offensive TD in the first quarter this season. Ertz made a diving catch, dragging his feet to stay in bounds.
Foles hit a wide-open James Casey for a 26-yard TD pass to make it 17-0 in the second quarter. Casey had only one catch this season and hadn't scored a TD since 2012 with the Texans, but the Giants bit on a play-action fake and left the third-string tight end open running down the middle.
''We want to start faster and that's what we did,'' Foles said.
Sproles had a 15-yard TD run to put the Eagles ahead 27-0. He left the game with a left knee injury and didn't return.
Foles' pass was intercepted by Antrel Rolle inside the red zone on a poor pass off his back foot late in the second quarter. He threw another pick to Zack Bowman in the third quarter, but the Giants' ensuing drive ended with the incomplete pass on which Cruz was injured.
McCoy had more yards rushing in the first quarter than he had in full games against Washington and San Francisco. McCoy, an All-Pro last year, had struggled this season, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. But he has more career yards rushing against the Giants than any NFL team.
''I never lost confidence in myself; you guys did and the people out there did,'' McCoy said.
The Giants were without Rashad Jennings, who entered the week as the NFL's fifth-leading rusher. Rookie Andre Williams started for Jennings, out with a sprained left knee.
Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks missed his fourth straight game because of a calf injury. But linebacker DeMeco Ryans played despite being limited in practices by a groin injury.
Cody Parkey kicked field goals of 31 and 45 yards. The rookie is 12 of 13 with a pair of 51-yarders this season.
NOTES: Foles leads the NFL with 10 turnovers (seven interceptions, three fumbles). He had 29 TD passes, including playoffs last year, and only two picks. ... Parkey's 45-yarder was his first FG attempt between 40-49 yards. ... Manning finished 13 of 23 for 151 yards.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141127_PHI@DAL
Eagles roll over Cowboys 33-10 for NFC East lead
By SCHUYLER DIXON | AP Sports Writer
Nov. 27, 2014
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) LeSean McCoy threw open his arms just before crossing the goal line on a touchdown run that essentially put away another big win over the Dallas Cowboys.
While Philadelphia didn't walk off with a playoff berth in hand after beating the Cowboys 33-10 on Thursday, it was a sweet Thanksgiving for McCoy, Mark Sanchez and the Eagles.
McCoy ran for 159 yards and a touchdown, Sanchez had his first scoring run in almost three years and the Eagles rolled in a matchup of NFC East co-leaders on the field where McCoy clinched last season's rushing title and Philadelphia won a playoffs-or-bust finale.
''This really felt like last year,'' said McCoy, who had a season-high 25 carries. ''It really did.''
Tony Romo wasn't around for that game because he was two days removed from back surgery. This time he was trying to play a quick turnaround for the first time, and after yet another back injury. He looked ragged as the Cowboys (8-4) lost their third straight home game.
''It was definitely short just from the Sunday night coming to here,'' said Romo, who threw two interceptions without a touchdown, snapping a streak of 38 straight games with at least one TD toss. ''I don't really think that had much to do with the outcome of the game. I think they just played better than us.''
The Eagles (9-3) opened with quick drives of 80 and 88 yards for touchdowns. They took sole possession of the division lead with four games remaining, including a rematch in less than three weeks.
''We're not into statements,'' Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. ''We've given ourselves the opportunity to play meaningful football in December, and in this league, every week is a whole different deal, a whole different animal.''
McCoy, who led the NFL with 1,604 yards last season, had his fourth 100-yard game in the past seven after going without one the first five weeks and secured his fourth 1,000-yard season since 2010.
Although his deficit to Dallas' DeMarco Murray in the rushing race is probably insurmountable, McCoy outgained Murray, who was held under 100 yards for just the second time this season.
Murray finished with 73 yards and Dallas' only touchdown on 20 carries, the last a 6-yard loss when he was dropped by Mychal Kendricks on fourth-and-1 early in the fourth quarter.
''I don't really compare myself,'' McCoy said. ''I just try to be me. I don't really get into that whole, especially during the season, `Who's this. Who's that' thing. In the big picture, we're trying to win games.''
Making his fourth start since Nick Foles was sidelined by a broken collarbone, Sanchez was 9 of 11 for 99 yards in the first quarter. That included a 27-yard scoring pass to Jordan Matthews when Sanchez hit the rookie in stride on a crossing route for a 14-0 lead.
Sanchez finished 20 of 29 for 217 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions two years after he was the starter for the New York Jets and infamously ran into the back side of one of his offensive linemen for a fumble that New England returned for a touchdown in a 49-19 Thanksgiving rout.
''It is like my favorite holiday, so that's not cool,'' Sanchez said. ''It was a bummer. The game plan was to try not to do that. And we accomplished that.''
This time, had his first scoring run since Dec. 24, 2011, with the Jets - a 2-yarder after faking the handoff to McCoy in the zone read. McCoy set up the game's first touchdown with a 38-yard run.
The Cowboys looked a little sluggish following a kickoff that came about 90 hours after their dramatic 31-28 victory at the New York Giants on Sunday night.
Murray had room to run at times but couldn't break one longer than 9 yards. Romo had plenty of time early in the game, but one time in the first half tossed a third-down pass to nobody in particular, giving the ball back to the Eagles when the Cowboys were having trouble stopping them.
''We didn't respond as well as we needed to when we were on offense,'' Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. ''We were never able to kind of keep ourselves in this game and certainly that's a disappointment.''
Romo looked skittish at times, essentially sitting down in the pocket with nobody in position to sack him on a third-down play after Jeremy Mincey recovered McCoy's fumble at the Philadelphia 13 on the second play of the second half.
The Cowboys had to settle for a field goal, and Philadelphia answered immediately on McCoy's 38-yard scoring run, putting the Eagles up 30-10 on their third touchdown drive of at least 80 yards.
NOTES: Jeremy Maclin secured his first career 1,000-yard season with 108 yards, including a 58-yarder to set up one of Cody Parkey's three second-quarter field goals. ... Dez Bryant set up Murray's 1-yard touchdown run with a 38-yard catch and had 73 yards on four receptions. ... Parkey had four field goals total, the longest from 31 yards.
Meanwhile....
The Eagles def. only 1 team from the NFC West this year which are the St. Louis Rams
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141005_STL@PHI
Eagles beat Rams behind defense, special teams
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Oct. 5, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) After building a 27-point lead, the Philadelphia Eagles needed a defensive stand to win the game.
Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes, the defense and special teams each scored and the Eagles held on for a 34-28 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
''We have to learn how to finish better,'' Foles said. ''As a team, we're not there yet.''
Austin Davis rallied St. Louis (1-3) from a 34-7 deficit with three straight scores, including a 5-yard pass to Brian Quick that cut it to 34-28 with 4:41 left.
The Rams had a chance for the win when they got the ball at their 7 with 1:47 left. Davis threw a 43-yard pass to Quick on first down, but Philadelphia's defense finally made a stop. Davis was under pressure when he threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-13.
''We were rolling. I had no doubts in my mind we were going to win,'' Davis said of the final drive.
Davis, who began the year as the No. 3 quarterback, finished with 375 yards passing and three TDs in his first game since being elevated to starter for the rest of the season.
The Eagles (4-1) rebounded from a tough loss at San Francisco with a strong all-around performance until the offense stumbled and defense nearly collapsed in the fourth quarter. Chris Maragos returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, Cedric Thornton recovered a fumble for a score and nearly took another one the distance.
''Tough 4-1, soft 4-1, it doesn't matter,'' Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. ''You're 4-1 and you go back to work Tuesday.''
The Eagles have scored seven TDs on special teams and defense, including five in the past two games. Meanwhile, Kelly's high-flying, up-tempo offense isn't clicking the way it did last year - but the team is winning.
''Turnovers equal victories,'' Thornton said. ''We try to get our hands on the ball and we've been capitalizing on it.''
Foles tossed a 9-yard pass to Riley Cooper with 30 seconds left in the second quarter, ending a drought of 18 drives and 97:04 without an offensive TD. He connected with Jeremy Maclin on a 24-yard pass for a 34-7 lead in the third.
On St. Louis' first play of the second half, Trent Cole sacked Davis and forced a fumble that Thornton recovered in the end zone for a 27-7 lead. Later in the third quarter, Thornton picked up a fumble after Brandon Graham stripped Zac Stacy and rumbled 40 yards before he was dragged down from behind. That set up Foles' second TD pass.
LeSean McCoy, an All-Pro last year, had 81 yards rushing. He had 39 yards on 29 carries in the previous two games.
The Rams wouldn't go down easily. Benny Cunningham had a 14-yard TD run and Davis fired a 30-yard pass to Kenny Britt to cut it to 34-21 with 9:02 left. Then, a fumble by Foles led to another TD.
But Davis couldn't complete a remarkable comeback.
''This team likes to play. They always believe they have a chance,'' Rams coach Jeff Fisher said.
The Eagles took a 7-0 lead when James Casey blocked a punt, Maragos scooped it up and ran 10 yards for a touchdown. It was the second straight game the Eagles blocked a punt for a score and the first time in team history they've had a TD on special teams in three consecutive games. Chris Polk returned a kickoff 102 yards in a win over Washington in Week 3.
The Eagles' first two drives stalled inside the 10. Cody Parkey kicked field goals of 26 and 27 yards.
After E.J. Gaines intercepted Foles' deep pass at the Rams 16, Davis led them on a long drive. He scrambled backward, avoided a pass rush and threw from the 25, an 8-yard TD pass to Quick in the back of the end zone to cut it to 13-7.
NOTES: Fisher, who began his NFL coaching career as an assistant under Buddy Ryan in Philadelphia in 1986, fell to 4-1 vs. the Eagles. ... The Ravens in 2002 were the last team to score a TD on a blocked punt two straight games before Eagles did it. ... Stacy left the game with a calf injury. ... Eagles LB DeMeco Ryans (right groin) and RB/KR Chris Polk (hamstring) didn't return.
and as an added bonus....
2 years ago, the Panthers def. the Eagles on ESPN Monday Night Football in Philly 30-22 and now, 2 years later, the Eagles got payback by blowing out the Panthers 45-21
Here's the story....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141110_CAR@PHI
Defense, special teams help Eagles rout Panthers
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Nov. 11, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Mark Sanchez did his part for the Eagles while the defense dominated and special teams shined.
Darren Sproles had two touchdowns, Sanchez threw for two scores and the defense sacked Cam Newton nine times to help Philadelphia beat the Carolina Panthers 45-21 Monday night.
Filling in for an injured Nick Foles, Sanchez had 332 yards passing in his first start since Dec. 30, 2012. Sproles returned a punt 65 yards for a score and had an 8-yard TD run. Bradley Fletcher returned an interception 34 yards for a TD and Jordan Matthews had 138 yards receiving and two TDs.
''Just an outstanding performance by all three phases,'' Sanchez said.
The Eagles (7-2) stayed on top in the NFC East. They're trying to repeat as division champions without Foles, who broke his collarbone in a win at Houston last week.
The Panthers (3-6-1) hardly look like the team that won the NFC South last year. They've lost four in a row and already have allowed more points in 10 games than they did in 2013. Making things worse, Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei was carted off the field late in the third quarter.
''We've got to do things better,'' Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. ''I have to coach better, coaches have to coach better, we have to practice better and then go out and play better. And we're going to do it together as a team.''
Newton threw the first of three interceptions and DeAngelo Williams lost a fumble on Carolina's first three plays from scrimmage. The turnovers led to 10 points for the Eagles.
Conor Barwin had 3 1/2 sacks and Brandon Graham had 1 1/2. Newton had never been sacked more than seven times in his career.
''We wanted to keep Cam in the pocket and if we didn't, we didn't want him to go north, we just wanted him to go east and west and we did that,'' Barwin said. ''Nobody gave him a hole to rush through. Everyone stayed disciplined and he didn't really know where to go when he tried to escape.''
The game was in Philadelphia's control when Newton threw a pair of fourth-quarter TDs to Kelvin Benjamin.
Sanchez, the former franchise quarterback for the New York Jets, signed a one-year deal to back up Foles after missing last season following shoulder surgery. Though he led the Jets to the AFC championship game his first two seasons, he didn't live up to enormous expectations in New York after being picked fifth in the 2009 draft.
But one day before his 28th birthday Sanchez had one of the best games of his career in his first start in Chip Kelly's up-tempo, quarterback-friendly offense.
''After playing for a while, you learn a lot,'' he said. ''I've made plenty of mistakes and hurt the team. The most important thing was taking care of the football, communicating well and executing. If we do that, generally we'll be successful. There are still plenty of things to clean up though. By no means was this perfect.''
Casey Matthews, starting for injured linebacker DeMeco Ryans, forced Williams' fumble and Cedric Thornton recovered at the Panthers 22. Cody Parkey hit a 39-yarder to make it 3-0.
Cary Williams then intercepted Newton on Carolina's next offensive play. It was the first pick by an Eagles cornerback this season.
''Our defense really came to play,'' Kelly said. ''We created a lot of pressure early and those two turnovers on the first three plays really set the tempo for the day.''
Sanchez completed passes of 15 yards to Jeremy Maclin and 21 yards to Brent Celek to set up Sproles' score. Sproles took a handoff and ran off the left side untouched.
The Panthers answered on their ensuing possession. Newton connected with Greg Olsen on a 38-yard pass and converted a pair of third-down passes to keep the drive going. Jonathan Stewart jumped over the top from the 1 to cut it to 10-7.
Sproles broke loose up the middle, deked punter Brad Nortman and cut to the right sideline on his way to his second punt return for a score this season and fourth in his career, giving the Eagles a 17-7 lead.
Fletcher stepped in front of a poor pass intended for Jason Avant and ran it back to put the Eagles up 31-7. The Eagles already have a franchise-record nine touchdowns on defense and special teams.
''I have to protect the football better,'' Newton said. ''I can't throw the football up for grabs and have to understand the difference between giving my guys a chance or opportunity and risking the football. In the pocket, man I got to do better.''
LeSean McCoy ran in from the 1 to make it 38-7. Matthews caught an 18-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter.
Benjamin had TD catches of 21 and 40 yards.
NOTES: LG Evan Mathis was back after missing seven games for the Eagles. Matt Tobin moved from LG to RG to replace Todd Herremans. ... Newton had his first multi-interception regular-season game since Dec. 1, 2013, vs. Tampa. He threw two in a playoff loss to San Francisco ... The Panthers have allowed 37 or more points in five of their 10 games this season. ... Eagles TE Brent Celek had 116 yards receiving. ... Olsen had 119 yards receiving.
credit: cbssports.com
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014090707/2014/REG1/jaguars@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014091500/2014/REG2/eagles@colts
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014110203/2014/REG9/eagles@texans
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014112307/2014/REG12/titans@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014100507/2014/REG5/rams@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014111000/2014/REG10/panthers@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014092108/2014/REG3/redskins@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014112701/2014/REG13/eagles@cowboys
Well guys, the Eagles may be out the playoffs, but they have accomplished some things, however, they lost 3 games to the NFC West, got embarrassed by the Packers and the Cowboys got payback on the Eagles in Philly, plus the Redskins got payback on the Eagles in D.C. in December, I would not be surprised if the GIANTS get payback on the Eagles this coming Sunday Afternoon in the Big Apple
Darren Sproles and Malcolm Jenkins joins the Eagles after being cut by the Saints
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnasuperstarsfan/100214_sproles-jenkins_600_zps26cbf384.jpg
Lesean McCoy with the Eagles receiving the 2014 Galloping Gobbler Award
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnasuperstarsfan/16448187-mmmain_zpse30a08e3.jpg
The Philadelphia Eagles may be out of the Playoffs, but prior to the month of December, they have accomplished a few things this year:
They swept the AFC South, they got payback on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football and they went to Dallas and def. the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day 2014, plus LeSean McCoy won the Galloping Gobbler Award, plus they def. the Redskins and the GIANTS in Philly as well, but with success, the team has struggled on offense
They also went 6-2 @ home this year
also, the Eagles have picked up 2 Former Saints Players in Darren Sproles and Malcolm Jenkins and this duo has once again gave Cam Newton Fits
Here are the stories:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20140907_JAC@PHI
Foles leads Eagles to 34-17 win over Jaguars
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Sep. 7, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Chip Kelly's halftime message to his team was simple: Execute.
Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes in the second half and the Philadelphia Eagles rallied from 17-0 deficit to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-17 Sunday.
''You can't lose your head out there,'' Kelly said. ''You have to understand that it's a long game. We felt there were plays to be made.''
Foles overcame three turnovers in the first half and threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin early in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles their first lead. Fletcher Cox returned a fumble 17 yards for a TD to seal the win.
Philadelphia is the first team to win by 17 points after being blanked and trailing by 17 points at halftime.
Chad Henne threw two touchdown passes to rookie Allen Hurns in the first quarter as the Jaguars (0-1) jumped ahead of the defending NFC East champion Eagles (1-0) early.
But the Jags couldn't sustain their success.
''It's going to be a good lesson for us to take a look at this game and see it is going to be a full 60 minutes that you have to play,'' coach Gus Bradley said.
The Eagles scored TDs on their first two possessions in the third quarter to get within 17-14. Cody Parkey hit a 51-yard field goal on his first career attempt in the fourth to tie it at 17-17.
Then Foles made a perfect deep throw to a wide-open Maclin for the longest pass of his career to put the Eagles ahead 24-17.
''We tried that about five times. We finally got it,'' Kelly said.
Darren Sproles had a 49-yard TD run in his debut with Philadelphia. Zach Ertz caught a 25-yard TD pass from Foles.
Hurns, a rookie free agent from Miami, became the first player with a pair of touchdown receptions in the first quarter of his NFL debut. He scored on his first two catches.
''There's a lot of good things that we did. But at the end of the day, we didn't finish,'' Hurns said.
Foles rebounded from an awful first half to finish with 322 yards passing. He had two fumbles and one pick in the first 20 minutes after he had only four turnovers (two fumbles, two INTs) in a breakout season last year that ended with him being offensive MVP of the Pro Bowl.
''When you face adversity, you have to respond,'' Foles said. ''You can't get frustrated. We made corrections and kept playing.''
Early on, the Eagles barely resembled the offense that set several team records in 2013. The Jaguars stifled Kelly's up-tempo attack, limiting the Eagles to only 129 yards in the first half.
Sproles got them going. He made a one-handed catch and turned it into an 8-yard gain right before he burst up the middle for a 49-yard TD run on fourth-and-1. The longest run in Sproles' nine-year career cut the deficit to 17-7.
''We knew they were getting kind of tired,'' Sproles said. ''We hurried up on them and they weren't even set. They left a big hole in the middle of the field and that's what you want to see as a running back.''
After the Jags went three-and-out, Sproles returned a punt 22 yards to the Jaguars 40. On third-and-5, Foles hit Ertz over the middle for a score to get the Eagles within 17-14.
In the first half, Foles looked nothing like the guy who posted one of the best statistical seasons in history last year. He had 27 touchdown passes and only two interceptions, setting an NFL record for best TD/interception ratio. His passer rating of 119.2 was the third-highest ever.
Foles lost fumbles on Philadelphia's first two possessions, setting up both of Jacksonville's touchdowns.
First, Henne connected with Hurns on a 34-yard TD pass to make it 7-0. Henne then hit Hurns for a 21-yard score on slant pass to make it 14-0.
Josh Scobee nailed a 49-yard field goal to put the Jaguars up 17-0 in the second quarter.
The Eagles were at the Jags 5 when Foles threw an interception to Alan Ball in the back of the end zone.
NOTES: Eagles All-Pro LG Evan Mathis sustained a left knee injury in the first half. RT Allen Barbre injured his right ankle. Kelly had no updates. ... Jaguars SS Johnathan Cyprien and LB J.T. Thomas left with head injuries. ... Eagles DE Brandon Bair blocked Scobee's 36-yard field goal to keep it at 17-0.
1 week later....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20140915_PHI@IND
Foles leads Eagles to 30-27 win against Colts
By MICHAEL MAROT | AP Sports Writer
Sep. 16, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) With Nick Foles at quarterback and LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles in the backfield, the Philadelphia Eagles are never out of the game.
They proved it again on Monday night.
Foles threw a tying touchdown pass with 3:25 to go, and then set up Cody Parkey for the winning 36-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Philadelphia to a 30-27 win at the Indianapolis Colts.
Sproles had seven receptions for 152 yards to go along with a touchdown run as the Eagles (2-0) won their first game on the road for the sixth consecutive season. Philadelphia, which stormed back from a 17-0 halftime deficit to beat Jacksonville 34-17 in Week 1, also became the fourth team in the last 30 years to win consecutive games in which it trailed by 14 or more points in the 2nd half, according to STATS.
''He's just a special player,'' coach Chip Kelly said, praising Sproles for his role in the prime-time comeback. ''The first day we had him it was, `How many different ways can we find ways to get him the football?' He's just a dynamic football player.''
Philadelphia's latest rally came against the defending AFC South champs, against a team that had never lost back-to-back regular-season games with Andrew Luck at quarterback. The Colts (0-2) led 17-6 at halftime, but committed two costly turnovers in the second half that the Eagles turned into 14 second-half points.
Foles was 21 of 37 for 331 yards with one touchdown - a 6-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin with 3:25 to go that tied it at 27. McCoy ran 20 times for 79 yards and scored Philadelphia's first touchdown of the night with 4:32 left in the third quarter.
The Eagles appeared to be in trouble when Indianapolis was driving with a 27-20 lead in the fourth. But Luck's short pass intended for T.Y. Hilton with 5:08 to go was intercepted by Malcolm Jenkins.
Two plays later, McCoy was stopped for a loss but LaRon Landry was called for a questionable horse-collar tackle. Sproles then took a swing pass for a 51-yard gain to the 6, and Foles found Maclin for the tying score.
''Without Sproles, we would be in some trouble, to be honest, we really would. That's why we're a team,'' McCoy said. ''When guys are struggling, he's picking everybody up. He's helping me out. I need to get my thing together. I don't feel like I'm playing to the level I should be playing at.''
Luck, who was 20 of 34 for 172 yards with three TDs, walked into the postgame news conference for the second straight week and said he made a ''stupid'' decision when he threw the interception even though replays also appeared to show Hilton had been grabbed by a defender. No call was made.
The calls weren't what the Colts were talking about, though.
Coach Chuck Pagano was more disturbed by the two turnovers, Luck's pick and Trent Richardson's fumble at his own 26-yard line, and a defense that couldn't stop the Eagles over the final 20 minutes of the game.
''The turnovers. Those were the killers in the second half,'' Pagano said. ''You've got to finish games, put people away.''
The Eagles' potent offense started slow, managing just two field goals in the first half. They finished strong, tying it at 20 when Sproles managed to stay on his feet for a 19-yard run late in the third and again at 27 on the TD pass to Maclin.
Luck drove the Colts right back down the field and hooked up with Ahmad Bradshaw for a tiebreaking score, but Indy couldn't close it out and the Eagles took advantage.
Indy looked as if it wouldn't need Luck's late-game heroics, thanks to a ground game that piled up 169 yards.
But the turnovers changed the whole complexion of things.
''We knew we had a field goal in the bag. Everybody saw what happened,'' Pagano said. ''The last words before the play were `Take care of the football.'''
Instead of taking a 10-point lead, McCoy got the Eagles' offense back on track and Sproles took care of the rest.
NOTES: Eagles CB Nolan Carroll II left the game with an injured elbow but returned in the third quarter after X-rays were negative. ... Philadelphia linebacker Mychal Kendricks left in the third quarter with a calf injury. ... Indy was hosting its first Monday night game since 2010.
7 Weeks Later....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141102_PHI@HOU
Sanchez helps Eagles over Texans 31-21
By KRISTIE RIEKEN | AP Sports Writer
Nov. 2, 2014
HOUSTON (AP) After his performance on Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles are confident they'll be fine with Mark Sanchez at quarterback if Nick Foles misses more time with an injury.
Sanchez replaced Foles, overcame turnovers and did enough to keep the Eagles in first place with a 31-21 win over the Houston Texans. Foles hurt his left shoulder late in the first quarter, and Sanchez came on to threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
''He's good,'' running back LeSean McCoy said. ''Even when he came here it's hard to look at him as a backup because of (the) success he's had and experience. I think today wasn't really something surprising to the team.''
''I think we'll do some damage if Nick can't go,'' McCoy continued. ''He'll step in there and do a great job.''
Sanchez, who also threw two interceptions, missed all of last season after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder in the preseason. He last played on Dec. 30, 2012, with the New York Jets.
The Eagles (6-2) led by 3 when Jeremy Maclin grabbed a low throw from Sanchez for an 8-yard touchdown to make it 31-21, sealing the win with about four minutes remaining.
Sanchez didn't waste any time in his Philadelphia debut, finding Maclin deep on his first play for a 52-yard gain. Five plays later, he threw a perfect pass to Jordan Matthews for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 14-7 in the second quarter.
He admitted to being a bit nervous before the throw to Maclin. Those butterflies dissolved after that strike.
''You want to get the first throw out of the way. And thanks to Chip we throw it right down the field,'' Sanchez said. ''So that will get your nerves gone.''
Coach Chip Kelly didn't provide many details of the injury to Foles, saying only: ''He's in a sling right now, and that's all I got.''
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 203 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Houston (4-5). The Texans had trouble getting their offense going.
''It was a tough day, and obviously that falls on the quarterback in terms of not being able to get things started and accomplished,'' Fitzpatrick said.
Maclin finished with two touchdowns and 158 yards receiving and McCoy had 117 yards rushing.
The Eagles were up by 10 and driving late in the third quarter when Jumal Rolle grabbed his second interception of the game.
DeMeco Ryans intercepted Fitzpatrick at the Philadelphia 10, but was injured on the play and fumbled the ball as he fell to the ground. DeAndre Hopkins recovered for Houston and scored on a 7-yard reception two plays later to cut the lead to 24-21.
Ryans tore his right Achilles tendon, a person familiar with the injury said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Eagles didn't release details of the injury.
Top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney (illness) and linebacker Brian Cushing (knee) were inactive for the Texans and they lost starting cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph (concussion) and Kareem Jackson (knee) to injuries in the first quarter.
Houston's defense got to the quarterback early, with four sacks in the first half. The Eagles had allowed just two in the previous six games.
Whitney Mercilus sacked Foles twice in three plays, driving him hard into the turf on the second one to send the quarterback to the locker room.
Houston tied it at 14-14 when Arian Foster grabbed a 56-yard TD pass about four minutes before halftime. That score was set up when receiver Josh Huff tipped a pass by Sanchez that was intercepted by Rolle.
Foster left late in the game and coach Bill O'Brien said he injured his groin and that he hoped he'd be OK after an extra week of rest with the bye next week.
A 45-yard field goal by Cody Parkey gave the Eagles a 17-14 lead at halftime.
Houston missed a 39-yard field goal in the third quarter. The Eagles used four straight running plays capped by an 8-yard run by Chris Polk after that to extend their lead to 24-14 with about three minutes left in the third.
NOTES: Eagles S Safety Nate Allen had started 23 straight games before sitting out with a hamstring injury. ... J.J. Watt finished with 1 1/2 sacks and has 6 1/2 in his last four games. ... Maclin has three touchdowns for 50 yards or longer this season.
and a few weeks later....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141123_TEN@PHI
Huff, McCoy lead Eagles past Titans 43-24
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Nov. 23, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) It took the Philadelphia Eagles just 13 seconds to wipe a terrible loss from memory.
Josh Huff returned the opening kickoff 107 yards, LeSean McCoy ran for 130 yards and the Eagles beat the Tennessee Titans 43-24 on Sunday.
''We talk about starting fast, but you can't start faster than that,'' coach Chip Kelly said. ''It takes the wind out of the sails for the other team.''
Coming off a 53-20 loss at Green Bay, the Eagles jumped ahead of the lowly Titans immediately and never let up.
Huff ran up the right side, broke a tackle inside the 30, cut to the right sideline and stiff-armed a defender at the Titans 20 on his way to the end zone for his first career TD.
His return was the longest in franchise history and the 10th non-offensive touchdown for Philadelphia this season.
''That's not the way you want to start the game off,'' Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said. ''It's tough. But to get down 17-0, I thought we made a good recovery in the second quarter.''
Mark Sanchez threw for 307 yards and one touchdown in his third start for the injured Nick Foles. He has 300 yards passing in three straight games, tying a team record.
Rookie Zach Mettenberger had 345 yards passing and two TDs and Delanie Walker had 155 yards receiving for the Titans (2-9).
Now, the Eagles (8-3) can shift their focus to the Cowboys (7-3) for a first-place showdown on Thanksgiving. The top two teams in the NFC East will play twice in 18 days, starting with Thursday's game at Dallas.
''We were in the third quarter and fans are screaming about the Dallas game,'' Sanchez said. ''It's obviously a big rivalry. I'll get a good introduction to it this week.''
After the first of four straight three-and-outs to start the game by the Titans, the Eagles went up 14-0 on a 4-yard TD run by Darren Sproles.
McCoy had a 2-yard TD run in the second quarter. Sanchez fired a 14-yard TD pass to James Casey in the third quarter.
The Titans didn't get a first down until Mettenberger threw a 40-yard TD pass to Justin Hunter on their fifth offensive series. Brandon Ghee intercepted Sanchez at the Eagles 30 to set up the score that cut it to 17-7.
Mettenberger tossed a 68-yard pass to Walker to start the next drive to set up Shonn Greene's 2-yard TD run, cutting the deficit to 20-14.
Cody Parkey kicked field goals of 36, 26, 35, 40 and 50 yards but his 49-yard attempt hit the post at the end of the first half to snap his successful streak at 17.
The Eagles sacked Mettenberger five times, including 2 1/2 by Connor Barwin and two for Trent Cole.
McCoy, the reigning NFL rushing champion, hasn't looked the same this year with his yards-per-carry average down more than one yard. He was irritated this week by questions from reporters suggesting he lost a step. So, McCoy responded with his third 100-yard performance in the past six games. He had a season-best 53-yard run.
''Everybody has their opinion, but the guys in the locker room know what's up,'' McCoy said. ''But that's fine. When the running game isn't going well, I'll take the blame.''
The Eagles beat the Titans for the first time. They were 0-4 against them after their move from Houston to Tennessee.
''We just weren't able to protect the ball like we wanted to,'' Mettenberger said. ''We needed more points, more first downs.''
NOTES: The Eagles are the first team since the Packers in 1970 to have two players with kickoff returns of 100-plus yards in the same season. Chris Polk had one for 102 yards in Week 3 vs. Washington. ... The 10 touchdowns on special teams and defense are a franchise-record for the Eagles. ... Mettenberger's 345 yards passing a rookie franchise record. ... Sanchez was intercepted twice and has six picks in four games. ... Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and Nick Foles also had three straight 300-yard passing games for Philadelphia. ... Eagles LB Emmanuel Acho injured his groin chasing Walker on the long catch and didn't return. ... Titans C Brian Schwenke caught a batted pass for a 6-yard gain before he fumbled it away. ... Eagles Barwin has a career-best 12 1/2 sacks. ... Parkey broke a team record with his fourth 50-plus yarder in a season.
Meanwhile....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20140921_WAS@PHI
Matthews, Maclin lead Eagles over Redskins 37-34
By BARRY WILNER | AP Pro Football Writer
Sep. 21, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) A rookie's breakthrough. An exiled receiver's return. A brawl.
Oh yeah, and another comeback win.
Nothing normal seems to happen this season for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jordan Matthews, the draft pick who replaced DeSean Jackson, and veteran Jeremy Maclin lifted the Eagles past the star receiver's new team Sunday. Philadelphia again stormed from behind to win, beating the Washington Redskins 37-34 as Mathews caught two touchdown passes and Maclin had one.
The Eagles are the first NFL team to start a season 3-0 after trailing by 10-plus points in each game.
''Man, that was an emotional one,'' said Matthews, who scored his first NFL touchdowns. ''They are close (games), so I know that coach (Chip) Kelly is losing some hair.''
The nasty game was marred by a fourth-quarter brawl near the Washington sideline after Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was blindsided by defensive lineman Chris Baker during an apparent interception return. Baker and Eagles left tackle Jason Peters were ejected - and then the INT was overturned by video replay. That led to Maclin's 27-yard touchdown to break a 27-27 tie.
Maclin credited Foles' toughness with inspiring the Eagles.
''That's the guy you want, the guy who gets up play after play,'' Maclin said.
Maclin, who missed all of 2013 with a knee injury, finished with eight catches for 154 yards. Matthews also had eight receptions.
Jackson wasn't going to let Philadelphia forget him. The receiver, cut by Kelly last winter, caught an 81-yard touchdown pass and added a Rockettes-style kick to his celebration as his former fans loudly booed. He gained 117 yards on five catches.
''Honestly, it's a new time. It's a new era,'' said Jackson, who was one of the first players to leave the field after the game. ''I don't see them worrying about me, and I don't worry about them. I'm happy where I'm at.''
The Eagles, who rallied from 17 points down in their first two victories, came back from an early 17-7 deficit to drop Washington to 1-2 even though the Redskins outgained Philly 511-379.
Philadelphia has scored 101 points in three wild games.
''We stick together and there's a great camaraderie,'' Foles said. ''In the locker room during games like that, we lean on each other instead of blaming each other. That's what football should be about.''
Rookie Cody Parkey's third field goal, a 51-yarder with 5:55 remaining, turned out to be the winning points when Washington scored a late TD.
Philadelphia's Chris Polk had a 102-yard kickoff return, the first for an Eagle at Lincoln Financial Field, which opened in 2003.
Washington's Kirk Cousins threw for 427 yards and three touchdowns in his first start replacing injured Robert Griffin III. Cousins came in last week to pass for two TDs when RG3 hurt his ankle.
As they did in record-setting fashion in their first two victories, the Eagles fell into a hole. Kai Forbath's 49-yard field goal made it 17-7. Once again, the Eagles didn't flinch.
The Redskins couldn't handle Matthews, Philadelphia's second-round pick from Vanderbilt. He slipped into the back of the end zone off play-action for an 11-yard pass from Foles, who threw for 325 yards. Then Matthews took a perfect toss over two defenders for a 10-yard TD and the halftime lead.
Jackson tied the game 27-27 late in the third quarter on a fly pattern, shaking off an attempted tackle by Cary Williams and turning around as he pranced into the end zone - then making a kicking motion as if to remind the Eagles that they kicked him out of Philadelphia.
''Those are spur-of-the-moment type things,'' Jackson said. ''When I get the opportunity to make plays, whatever comes to my mind, that's what I'm going to react to.''
The Redskins had a chance to take the lead, but Forbath, who'd made 18 straight field goals, hit the right upright with a 33-yarder with 10:07 left.
On the next play, the officials ruled on the field that Breeland intercepted Foles - leading to the brawl. But replays clearly showed the ball hit the ground.
And Philly was aided by another video review soon after when Maclin's lunging sideline catch was called incomplete, then reversed. Two plays later, Maclin was in the end zone.
NOTES: Quintin Demps was the last Eagle to return a kickoff for a TD, in 2008. ... Washington CB DeAngelo Hall needed help getting off the field after an Achilles tendon injury. OG Shawn Lauvao had knee swelling, DL Jason Hatcher hurt his hamstring, and S Duke Ihenacho injured his foot. ... Philadelphia lost center Jason Kelce (abdomen), and LeSean McCoy was checked for a concussion before returning.
a few weeks later....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141012_NYG@PHI
Eagles dominate in 27-0 win over Giants
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Oct. 13, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) From start to finish, the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the New York Giants on offense, defense and special teams.
Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes and LeSean McCoy had a season-high 149 yards rushing to help the Eagles beat the Giants 27-0 on Sunday night for their first shutout in 18 years.
''As a collective unit, as an entire team, we did a tremendous job in all three phases,'' cornerback Cary Williams said.
A rough night for the Giants (3-3) became worse when wide receiver Victor Cruz tore the patellar tendon his right knee while leaping for a pass on fourth down from the Eagles 3 in the third quarter. Cruz, a 2012 Pro Bowl pick, was crying and holding his hands to his face as he was carted off the field with an injury that's expected to end his season.
''Huge loss,'' Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. ''It wasn't a good situation, a grim scene.''
Wearing all-black uniforms for the first time in franchise history, the Eagles (5-1) stayed tied with Dallas (5-1) for the lead in the NFC East. They hadn't shut out an opponent since a 24-0 win over the Giants on Dec. 1, 1996, at old Veterans Stadium.
Foles had 248 yards passing, Darren Sproles ran for a score and the offense had a rare strong start.
The defense harassed and pressured Eli Manning often, sacking him six times and preventing New York's upstart offense from getting on track. The Giants had won three in a row, scoring more than 30 points in each victory.
''It's a good reminder that you just can't show up on the field and have things go well for you automatically,'' Manning said. ''We got outplayed, outperformed.''
Manning was sacked only seven times in the first five games before Connor Barwin (three), Vinny Curry (two) and Trent Cole (one) took him down. Brandon Graham and Brandon Bair sacked Ryan Nassib to make it eight for the defense.
''When you have a guy with his experience and intelligence, you disguise a little more,'' defensive coordinator Billy Davis said about facing Manning.
The Eagles entered with 11 offensive touchdowns and seven from their defense and special teams. But Foles and Co. didn't need much help in this one.
Foles tossed a 15-yard scoring pass to Zach Ertz for Philadelphia's first offensive TD in the first quarter this season. Ertz made a diving catch, dragging his feet to stay in bounds.
Foles hit a wide-open James Casey for a 26-yard TD pass to make it 17-0 in the second quarter. Casey had only one catch this season and hadn't scored a TD since 2012 with the Texans, but the Giants bit on a play-action fake and left the third-string tight end open running down the middle.
''We want to start faster and that's what we did,'' Foles said.
Sproles had a 15-yard TD run to put the Eagles ahead 27-0. He left the game with a left knee injury and didn't return.
Foles' pass was intercepted by Antrel Rolle inside the red zone on a poor pass off his back foot late in the second quarter. He threw another pick to Zack Bowman in the third quarter, but the Giants' ensuing drive ended with the incomplete pass on which Cruz was injured.
McCoy had more yards rushing in the first quarter than he had in full games against Washington and San Francisco. McCoy, an All-Pro last year, had struggled this season, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. But he has more career yards rushing against the Giants than any NFL team.
''I never lost confidence in myself; you guys did and the people out there did,'' McCoy said.
The Giants were without Rashad Jennings, who entered the week as the NFL's fifth-leading rusher. Rookie Andre Williams started for Jennings, out with a sprained left knee.
Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks missed his fourth straight game because of a calf injury. But linebacker DeMeco Ryans played despite being limited in practices by a groin injury.
Cody Parkey kicked field goals of 31 and 45 yards. The rookie is 12 of 13 with a pair of 51-yarders this season.
NOTES: Foles leads the NFL with 10 turnovers (seven interceptions, three fumbles). He had 29 TD passes, including playoffs last year, and only two picks. ... Parkey's 45-yarder was his first FG attempt between 40-49 yards. ... Manning finished 13 of 23 for 151 yards.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141127_PHI@DAL
Eagles roll over Cowboys 33-10 for NFC East lead
By SCHUYLER DIXON | AP Sports Writer
Nov. 27, 2014
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) LeSean McCoy threw open his arms just before crossing the goal line on a touchdown run that essentially put away another big win over the Dallas Cowboys.
While Philadelphia didn't walk off with a playoff berth in hand after beating the Cowboys 33-10 on Thursday, it was a sweet Thanksgiving for McCoy, Mark Sanchez and the Eagles.
McCoy ran for 159 yards and a touchdown, Sanchez had his first scoring run in almost three years and the Eagles rolled in a matchup of NFC East co-leaders on the field where McCoy clinched last season's rushing title and Philadelphia won a playoffs-or-bust finale.
''This really felt like last year,'' said McCoy, who had a season-high 25 carries. ''It really did.''
Tony Romo wasn't around for that game because he was two days removed from back surgery. This time he was trying to play a quick turnaround for the first time, and after yet another back injury. He looked ragged as the Cowboys (8-4) lost their third straight home game.
''It was definitely short just from the Sunday night coming to here,'' said Romo, who threw two interceptions without a touchdown, snapping a streak of 38 straight games with at least one TD toss. ''I don't really think that had much to do with the outcome of the game. I think they just played better than us.''
The Eagles (9-3) opened with quick drives of 80 and 88 yards for touchdowns. They took sole possession of the division lead with four games remaining, including a rematch in less than three weeks.
''We're not into statements,'' Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. ''We've given ourselves the opportunity to play meaningful football in December, and in this league, every week is a whole different deal, a whole different animal.''
McCoy, who led the NFL with 1,604 yards last season, had his fourth 100-yard game in the past seven after going without one the first five weeks and secured his fourth 1,000-yard season since 2010.
Although his deficit to Dallas' DeMarco Murray in the rushing race is probably insurmountable, McCoy outgained Murray, who was held under 100 yards for just the second time this season.
Murray finished with 73 yards and Dallas' only touchdown on 20 carries, the last a 6-yard loss when he was dropped by Mychal Kendricks on fourth-and-1 early in the fourth quarter.
''I don't really compare myself,'' McCoy said. ''I just try to be me. I don't really get into that whole, especially during the season, `Who's this. Who's that' thing. In the big picture, we're trying to win games.''
Making his fourth start since Nick Foles was sidelined by a broken collarbone, Sanchez was 9 of 11 for 99 yards in the first quarter. That included a 27-yard scoring pass to Jordan Matthews when Sanchez hit the rookie in stride on a crossing route for a 14-0 lead.
Sanchez finished 20 of 29 for 217 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions two years after he was the starter for the New York Jets and infamously ran into the back side of one of his offensive linemen for a fumble that New England returned for a touchdown in a 49-19 Thanksgiving rout.
''It is like my favorite holiday, so that's not cool,'' Sanchez said. ''It was a bummer. The game plan was to try not to do that. And we accomplished that.''
This time, had his first scoring run since Dec. 24, 2011, with the Jets - a 2-yarder after faking the handoff to McCoy in the zone read. McCoy set up the game's first touchdown with a 38-yard run.
The Cowboys looked a little sluggish following a kickoff that came about 90 hours after their dramatic 31-28 victory at the New York Giants on Sunday night.
Murray had room to run at times but couldn't break one longer than 9 yards. Romo had plenty of time early in the game, but one time in the first half tossed a third-down pass to nobody in particular, giving the ball back to the Eagles when the Cowboys were having trouble stopping them.
''We didn't respond as well as we needed to when we were on offense,'' Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. ''We were never able to kind of keep ourselves in this game and certainly that's a disappointment.''
Romo looked skittish at times, essentially sitting down in the pocket with nobody in position to sack him on a third-down play after Jeremy Mincey recovered McCoy's fumble at the Philadelphia 13 on the second play of the second half.
The Cowboys had to settle for a field goal, and Philadelphia answered immediately on McCoy's 38-yard scoring run, putting the Eagles up 30-10 on their third touchdown drive of at least 80 yards.
NOTES: Jeremy Maclin secured his first career 1,000-yard season with 108 yards, including a 58-yarder to set up one of Cody Parkey's three second-quarter field goals. ... Dez Bryant set up Murray's 1-yard touchdown run with a 38-yard catch and had 73 yards on four receptions. ... Parkey had four field goals total, the longest from 31 yards.
Meanwhile....
The Eagles def. only 1 team from the NFC West this year which are the St. Louis Rams
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141005_STL@PHI
Eagles beat Rams behind defense, special teams
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Oct. 5, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) After building a 27-point lead, the Philadelphia Eagles needed a defensive stand to win the game.
Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes, the defense and special teams each scored and the Eagles held on for a 34-28 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
''We have to learn how to finish better,'' Foles said. ''As a team, we're not there yet.''
Austin Davis rallied St. Louis (1-3) from a 34-7 deficit with three straight scores, including a 5-yard pass to Brian Quick that cut it to 34-28 with 4:41 left.
The Rams had a chance for the win when they got the ball at their 7 with 1:47 left. Davis threw a 43-yard pass to Quick on first down, but Philadelphia's defense finally made a stop. Davis was under pressure when he threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-13.
''We were rolling. I had no doubts in my mind we were going to win,'' Davis said of the final drive.
Davis, who began the year as the No. 3 quarterback, finished with 375 yards passing and three TDs in his first game since being elevated to starter for the rest of the season.
The Eagles (4-1) rebounded from a tough loss at San Francisco with a strong all-around performance until the offense stumbled and defense nearly collapsed in the fourth quarter. Chris Maragos returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, Cedric Thornton recovered a fumble for a score and nearly took another one the distance.
''Tough 4-1, soft 4-1, it doesn't matter,'' Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. ''You're 4-1 and you go back to work Tuesday.''
The Eagles have scored seven TDs on special teams and defense, including five in the past two games. Meanwhile, Kelly's high-flying, up-tempo offense isn't clicking the way it did last year - but the team is winning.
''Turnovers equal victories,'' Thornton said. ''We try to get our hands on the ball and we've been capitalizing on it.''
Foles tossed a 9-yard pass to Riley Cooper with 30 seconds left in the second quarter, ending a drought of 18 drives and 97:04 without an offensive TD. He connected with Jeremy Maclin on a 24-yard pass for a 34-7 lead in the third.
On St. Louis' first play of the second half, Trent Cole sacked Davis and forced a fumble that Thornton recovered in the end zone for a 27-7 lead. Later in the third quarter, Thornton picked up a fumble after Brandon Graham stripped Zac Stacy and rumbled 40 yards before he was dragged down from behind. That set up Foles' second TD pass.
LeSean McCoy, an All-Pro last year, had 81 yards rushing. He had 39 yards on 29 carries in the previous two games.
The Rams wouldn't go down easily. Benny Cunningham had a 14-yard TD run and Davis fired a 30-yard pass to Kenny Britt to cut it to 34-21 with 9:02 left. Then, a fumble by Foles led to another TD.
But Davis couldn't complete a remarkable comeback.
''This team likes to play. They always believe they have a chance,'' Rams coach Jeff Fisher said.
The Eagles took a 7-0 lead when James Casey blocked a punt, Maragos scooped it up and ran 10 yards for a touchdown. It was the second straight game the Eagles blocked a punt for a score and the first time in team history they've had a TD on special teams in three consecutive games. Chris Polk returned a kickoff 102 yards in a win over Washington in Week 3.
The Eagles' first two drives stalled inside the 10. Cody Parkey kicked field goals of 26 and 27 yards.
After E.J. Gaines intercepted Foles' deep pass at the Rams 16, Davis led them on a long drive. He scrambled backward, avoided a pass rush and threw from the 25, an 8-yard TD pass to Quick in the back of the end zone to cut it to 13-7.
NOTES: Fisher, who began his NFL coaching career as an assistant under Buddy Ryan in Philadelphia in 1986, fell to 4-1 vs. the Eagles. ... The Ravens in 2002 were the last team to score a TD on a blocked punt two straight games before Eagles did it. ... Stacy left the game with a calf injury. ... Eagles LB DeMeco Ryans (right groin) and RB/KR Chris Polk (hamstring) didn't return.
and as an added bonus....
2 years ago, the Panthers def. the Eagles on ESPN Monday Night Football in Philly 30-22 and now, 2 years later, the Eagles got payback by blowing out the Panthers 45-21
Here's the story....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20141110_CAR@PHI
Defense, special teams help Eagles rout Panthers
By ROB MAADDI | AP Pro Football Writer
Nov. 11, 2014
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Mark Sanchez did his part for the Eagles while the defense dominated and special teams shined.
Darren Sproles had two touchdowns, Sanchez threw for two scores and the defense sacked Cam Newton nine times to help Philadelphia beat the Carolina Panthers 45-21 Monday night.
Filling in for an injured Nick Foles, Sanchez had 332 yards passing in his first start since Dec. 30, 2012. Sproles returned a punt 65 yards for a score and had an 8-yard TD run. Bradley Fletcher returned an interception 34 yards for a TD and Jordan Matthews had 138 yards receiving and two TDs.
''Just an outstanding performance by all three phases,'' Sanchez said.
The Eagles (7-2) stayed on top in the NFC East. They're trying to repeat as division champions without Foles, who broke his collarbone in a win at Houston last week.
The Panthers (3-6-1) hardly look like the team that won the NFC South last year. They've lost four in a row and already have allowed more points in 10 games than they did in 2013. Making things worse, Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei was carted off the field late in the third quarter.
''We've got to do things better,'' Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. ''I have to coach better, coaches have to coach better, we have to practice better and then go out and play better. And we're going to do it together as a team.''
Newton threw the first of three interceptions and DeAngelo Williams lost a fumble on Carolina's first three plays from scrimmage. The turnovers led to 10 points for the Eagles.
Conor Barwin had 3 1/2 sacks and Brandon Graham had 1 1/2. Newton had never been sacked more than seven times in his career.
''We wanted to keep Cam in the pocket and if we didn't, we didn't want him to go north, we just wanted him to go east and west and we did that,'' Barwin said. ''Nobody gave him a hole to rush through. Everyone stayed disciplined and he didn't really know where to go when he tried to escape.''
The game was in Philadelphia's control when Newton threw a pair of fourth-quarter TDs to Kelvin Benjamin.
Sanchez, the former franchise quarterback for the New York Jets, signed a one-year deal to back up Foles after missing last season following shoulder surgery. Though he led the Jets to the AFC championship game his first two seasons, he didn't live up to enormous expectations in New York after being picked fifth in the 2009 draft.
But one day before his 28th birthday Sanchez had one of the best games of his career in his first start in Chip Kelly's up-tempo, quarterback-friendly offense.
''After playing for a while, you learn a lot,'' he said. ''I've made plenty of mistakes and hurt the team. The most important thing was taking care of the football, communicating well and executing. If we do that, generally we'll be successful. There are still plenty of things to clean up though. By no means was this perfect.''
Casey Matthews, starting for injured linebacker DeMeco Ryans, forced Williams' fumble and Cedric Thornton recovered at the Panthers 22. Cody Parkey hit a 39-yarder to make it 3-0.
Cary Williams then intercepted Newton on Carolina's next offensive play. It was the first pick by an Eagles cornerback this season.
''Our defense really came to play,'' Kelly said. ''We created a lot of pressure early and those two turnovers on the first three plays really set the tempo for the day.''
Sanchez completed passes of 15 yards to Jeremy Maclin and 21 yards to Brent Celek to set up Sproles' score. Sproles took a handoff and ran off the left side untouched.
The Panthers answered on their ensuing possession. Newton connected with Greg Olsen on a 38-yard pass and converted a pair of third-down passes to keep the drive going. Jonathan Stewart jumped over the top from the 1 to cut it to 10-7.
Sproles broke loose up the middle, deked punter Brad Nortman and cut to the right sideline on his way to his second punt return for a score this season and fourth in his career, giving the Eagles a 17-7 lead.
Fletcher stepped in front of a poor pass intended for Jason Avant and ran it back to put the Eagles up 31-7. The Eagles already have a franchise-record nine touchdowns on defense and special teams.
''I have to protect the football better,'' Newton said. ''I can't throw the football up for grabs and have to understand the difference between giving my guys a chance or opportunity and risking the football. In the pocket, man I got to do better.''
LeSean McCoy ran in from the 1 to make it 38-7. Matthews caught an 18-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter.
Benjamin had TD catches of 21 and 40 yards.
NOTES: LG Evan Mathis was back after missing seven games for the Eagles. Matt Tobin moved from LG to RG to replace Todd Herremans. ... Newton had his first multi-interception regular-season game since Dec. 1, 2013, vs. Tampa. He threw two in a playoff loss to San Francisco ... The Panthers have allowed 37 or more points in five of their 10 games this season. ... Eagles TE Brent Celek had 116 yards receiving. ... Olsen had 119 yards receiving.
credit: cbssports.com
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014090707/2014/REG1/jaguars@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014091500/2014/REG2/eagles@colts
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014110203/2014/REG9/eagles@texans
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014112307/2014/REG12/titans@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014100507/2014/REG5/rams@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014111000/2014/REG10/panthers@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014092108/2014/REG3/redskins@eagles
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014112701/2014/REG13/eagles@cowboys
Well guys, the Eagles may be out the playoffs, but they have accomplished some things, however, they lost 3 games to the NFC West, got embarrassed by the Packers and the Cowboys got payback on the Eagles in Philly, plus the Redskins got payback on the Eagles in D.C. in December, I would not be surprised if the GIANTS get payback on the Eagles this coming Sunday Afternoon in the Big Apple
Darren Sproles and Malcolm Jenkins joins the Eagles after being cut by the Saints
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnasuperstarsfan/100214_sproles-jenkins_600_zps26cbf384.jpg
Lesean McCoy with the Eagles receiving the 2014 Galloping Gobbler Award
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnasuperstarsfan/16448187-mmmain_zpse30a08e3.jpg