Morning Roundup: Eagles out
Before we get into another Victory Monday edition of Morning Roundup, brought to you by DraftKings, don’t forget to check out:
• Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro’s 12 initial thoughts on the Eagles’ 37-34 overtime win.
• Watch Owen Boyle’s in-game recap to relive the roller coaster ride.
last Bills in overtime thriller
Nick Sirianni was ‘extremely happy’ with his team’s resolve in their comeback victory.
On Sunday, the Eagles won their second overtime game of the 2023 season, marking the first time since 2000 that the team has won multiple overtime games in the same year.
This season, Philadelphia improved to 7-1 in one-possession games. For the first time since 2013-14, the Eagles have won 10 or more games in consecutive seasons. Philadelphia is 17-3 (.850) in its last 20 home games, including playoffs.
The Eagles beat the Bills 37-34 after rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and executing on a mandatory-scoring drive in overtime.
“That demonstrates our guys’ mental toughness.” I’m content. “I’m pleased,” said Head Coach Nick Sirianni, who became only the third head coach in NFL history to lead his team to a 10-1 start in consecutive seasons. “I’m glad we can take something away from this.” I believe that is my emotion; I am overjoyed that we were able to win this football game. I’m very happy that the changes will be made after a win rather than after a loss, right?” – Chris McPherson wrote the piece.
Jalen Hurts sets a career high with five touchdowns.
Jalen Hurts’ stat line at halftime was as follows: 4-of-11 for 33 yards passing with an interception, 22 rushing yards and a touchdown but a fumble as well. The Eagles were down 17-7.
Here’s how Hurts’ evening ended after two quarters and overtime: 200 yards passing with three touchdowns and a QB rating of 96.2; 65 yards rushing with two more touchdowns, including a 12-yarder in overtime for the walk-off win.
Hurts set a career high with five total touchdowns as the Eagles rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win on a game-winning scoring drive following a Bills field goal to start overtime.
According to Elias Sports, Hurts is only the second NFL quarterback since 1950 to start 10-1 or better through 11 games in consecutive years, joining Peyton Manning (2005-06).
Hurts has won 14 straight games against teams with winning records, the longest streak by an NFL quarterback since 1950, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Hurts has led the Eagles to a 27-2 (.931) record in his last 29 regular-season starts (dating back to Week 15 of 2021), including a 16-1 record since Week 11 of 2022. Hurts has the highest winning percentage in the NFL (.781) since 2021 (32-9).
Wow, just wow.
“First off, it was a great team effort and a great team win,” Hurts said in a statement. “You know, I had a little moment of reflection where I was thinking, ‘What do you guys (the media) want me to say?'” We just keep finding new ways to win. We play together and have demonstrated our tenacity on a daily basis. We’ve been tested in a variety of ways both during and after games. We always find a way, which is something you can’t take for granted. It’s difficult to quantify.”
Hurts led the Eagles back from a halftime deficit for the fourth consecutive game.
“I don’t think there’s anything you learn about him because you already know he’s clutch,” said Head Coach Nick Sirianni. “For the past three years, he’s been clutch for us, clutch for this city, clutch for this team.” He just kept going, put his head down, and worked, eventually making some big-time plays.” – Chris McPherson wrote the piece.
Jake the Make strikes once more.
When asked about his kicker, Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni used the word “clutch” when speaking with the media after Sunday’s thrilling overtime win.
Many of his teammates shared his feelings in the locker room.
“I call him Jake the GOAT, he is the second-best athlete on the team,” Darius Slay joked as Elliott passed by the cornerback’s locker. “He is GOATED, one of the best kickers in the league, by far.”
Clutch is an understatement for what Elliott accomplished tonight and this season.
With the game on the line, Elliott’s right leg sent the game into overtime.
The Eagles were in a good position for the seven-year veteran, but two false start penalties on center Jason Kelce set back the offense.
In the rain and wind, Elliott came on to attempt a 59-yard field goal.
“Given the conditions, that was probably the toughest one I have had to hit,” Elliott said at the time. “At the start of the game, I would say that was the tougher end (of the field) to kick on, but as the game progressed, it became more of a crosswind, which I appreciated.”
As Elliott nailed a line drive through the uprights, the crowd erupted into a roar.
The ball appeared to be heading straight down the middle at first, but it quickly curved to the right, sneaking inside the right post by inches.
“I definitely needed to drive it in order to get it there, so I took a little air out of it,” said Elliott.
This isn’t the first time Elliott has come through for the Eagles this season.
In Week 2, he nailed a 61-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings, tying Elliott’s franchise record for longest-made field goal.
Then, in Week 4, he beat the Washington Commanders in overtime with a 54-yard field goal. Since the 1970 merger, that was the longest game-winning field goal in franchise history.
“Those are situations I have always thrived in, going back to high school and through college,” Elliott went on to say. “I feel like I’ve been put in a lot of those situations.” “I’ve gained some confidence.”
“Nobody else we’d rather have in the world than Jake Elliott kicking a field goal,” Sirianni went on to say. – Owen Boyle wrote the piece.
Olamide Zaccheaus steps up to the plate.
Olamide Zaccheaus literally rose to the occasion in the fourth quarter of the Bills’ overtime victory on Sunday.
Cornerback James Bradberry of the Philadelphia Eagles had just intercepted Bills quarterback Josh Allen, giving the offense the ball on the Buffalo 24-yard line.
After two -5 yard rushes on the first two plays of the drive, the Eagles were faced with a third-and-long situation.
With 11:18 remaining in the game and the Eagles trailing by three, Zaccheaus and quarterback Jalen Hurts connected for a highlight-reel touchdown.
“It is just about capitalizing on the little opportunities that Jalen and I do get,” he said.
Hurts scrambled out to his left after his first read was missed, extending the play. He signaled Zaccheaus to the back left corner of the end zone, planted his feet, and lofted the ball into the air.
Time seemed to stand still at Lincoln Financial Field as the ball made its way to the end zone. When he hit the ground, Zaccheaus had risen the highest, over two defenders, to high-point the football and maintain possession.
“It was a scramble drill,” said Zaccheaus. “I simply went to the open space.” Jalen put his trust in me, and I made the play.”
“I have to watch the film, but I saw what I saw,” Hurts was quoted as saying. “We made it a reality. He made a fantastic catch.”
Zaccheaus, who went to Saint Joseph’s Prep in high school, gave the Eagles the lead with his second touchdown of the season and first in front of the home crowd.
The rookie Eagle made the most of his one and only target of the evening.
“As I always say, it doesn’t matter who makes the play,” Zaccheaus said. “This time, it was up to me; I had to take the lead.” Taking the lead in the fourth quarter was a huge moment for the team.” Owen Boyle wrote it.
Brandon Graham establishes a franchise record for regular-season games played.
Brandon Graham, the team’s first-round pick out of Michigan in 2010, was Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman’s first draft pick.
Graham broke David Akers’ record for most regular-season games played by an Eagles player, appearing in his 189th game on Sunday.
And, wow, this is one for the ages.
Graham’s sack of elusive quarterback Josh Allen was the 73rd of BG’s illustrious career, ranking fourth on the franchise’s all-time list.
Following the victory, Head Coach Nick Sirianni presented Graham with the game ball.
“I’m very thankful to still be here,” Graham said. “That win was exhausting, but it was well worth it.” To still be here and set such a record, I’d like to thank the organization for sticking with me. I’m grateful for the opportunities that come my way, and I try to make the most of them.” – Chris McPherson wrote the piece.
The ‘next man up’ mentality is used by defensive tackles.
“It is the next man up mentality.”
That’s how Jordan Davis described the team’s young defensive tackles’ performance.
The team was already missing Milton Williams, who had been an integral part of the Eagles’ run defense, playing the second-most defensive tackle snaps entering Sunday’s game.
“Milton is a really big part of our defense,” Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said. “Milton is sluggish. In the run game, he is one of our best defensive tackles.”
To make matters worse, veteran tackle Fletcher Cox was injured in the second quarter with a groin injury. He tried it out to begin the third quarter but was unable to continue.
The defensive tackle group was left with Davis, a second-year starter, Marlon Tuipulotu, a third-year pro, and two rookies, Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo.
“It’s not just Jalen and me; it’s everyone further down the line.” “It’s Marlon and Moro,” Davis explained. “It all comes together, that is what we practice and what we preach.”
Everyone contributed to the overtime win, but it was the two first-round picks, Carter and Davis, who came up big.
Bills kicker Tyler Bass was on for a 34-yard field goal attempt with 1:27 left in the first half, which would have given his team a six-point lead. Carter’s left hand, on the other hand, had other plans.The NFL Draft’s ninth overall pick in 2023 used his entire 6-foot-3 frame to leap the highest and get a few fingers on the ball.
“I felt it hit my hand, but I did not know where the ball went,” Carter went on to say. “I turned around and saw it went to the left.”
The 13th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft then made a game-saving play in overtime.
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