He was near perfect in the preseason, and although quarterback Sam Bradford had a bit on a slow start on Monday night, the first-year Eagle showed in the second half that he can lead this offense. Unfortunately, Bradford and the team fell short in the season opener against Atlanta, dropping the decision, 26-24.
However, this game was the first of many to come this season. It is only Week 1, meaning there are 15 more games and 15 more times to prove the team can be explosive. The quarterback is confident the Eagles can pick up their play moving forward.
"I just felt like we were playing behind the sticks all day," Bradford said. "It seems like we couldn't really get anything going on first down. It was second-and-long. Penalties put us in second-and-really-long, third-and-really-long. I think the difference between the first half and the second half is we were much more efficient on first down in the second half. We played from ahead of the sticks. We got things going. Then once we got it rolling, we kind of kept it that way."
In all, Bradford ended the night with 36-of-52 for 336 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. But in the second half, Bradford was 21-of-25 for 221 yards including his lone touchdown.
The most impressive feat for the offense may have been its ability to overcome penalties. While penalties proved to be an issue for the Eagles throughout the entirety of the night, Bradford was able to help his team move past four on a 95-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter. He and his teammates stayed focused on the task at hand and remained mentally tough.
"I think that it shows the fight we have on offense," Bradford said. "The one drive, the (13)-play drive, I don't know how many penalties we overcame on that drive, but we just kept going. I think it's a credit to our guys. Sometimes on offense, you get a penalty and it really puts you back. You kind of stall out. We kept fighting and kept running through them."
The Eagles' offense from the first half to the second half was night and day, especially Bradford's play. It was clear the quarterback's rust from not having played a regular season game since October 2013 was gone in the final 30 minutes. Appearing in only four drives this preseason, it is understandable that Bradford had a few kinks to work out with his new offense. Based off his second-half stats, the quarterback is clearly making those adjustments quickly and doing his best to lead the Eagles to success this season.
"It was fun. Even though we lost, I think just getting back out there and playing, especially in the second half, was a blast," Bradford said. "Once we got things rolling and took the lead, I don't know if I've been that excited in a long time. It was good to get that feeling. Hopefully, next week we can start a little faster and not dig ourselves into such a big hole."
The #Eagles began Week 1 of the regular season in Atlanta for Monday Night Football. View the full gallery here...
RB Ryan Mathews turns it up
RB DeMarco Murray defends on the run
It's time for #PHIvsATL
DB Randall Evans stretches during pregame
G Brett Boyko warms up
The #Eagles prepare
LB Bryan Braman is focused during pregame
FlyEaglesFly!
Philly fans have made it!
Ready to fly!
Mike Quick meets some dedicated #Eagles fans during pregame
It's almost game time!
Defensive Coordinator Bill Davis waits for game time
RB DeMarco Murray gets ready for #PHIvsATL
QB Sam Bradford makes his debut
QB Sam Bradford takes snaps during pregame
RB Darren Sproles warms up in Atlanta
TE Zach Ertz is ready for Week 1
WR Riley Cooper and Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur are locked in
QB Sam Bradford warms up with a few throws
WR Nelson Agholor warms up
Ready for the throw
QB Sam Bradford makes the throw
The #Eagles Defense makes the stop
LB Brandon Graham makes the tackle
DE Taylor Hart goes up for the block
LB Brandon Graham holds on for the tackle
Excitement after LB Kiko Alonso's interception
WR Josh Huff runs the ball
QB Sam Bradford finds the open receiver
DT Bennie Logan makes the stop
CB Byron Maxwell breaks up the pass
The line goes to work
The coin toss
RB Darren Sproles holds onto the ball
WR Riley Cooper finds his route
WR Jordan Matthews tries to break free from the tackle
QB Sam Bradford makes the throw to his receiver
TE Zach Ertz works for the yards
RB DeMarco Murray changes direction
K Cody Parkey kicks one in
DB Walter Thurmond with the stop
QB Sam Bradford scrambles
Eagles Defense
DE Fletcher Cox forces the fumble
RB Darren Sproles moves to the outside
Breaking free
K Cody Parkey goes for the extra point
P Donnie Jones congratulates K Cody Parkey
S Chris Maragos gets in on the tackle
CB Nolan Carroll defends the play
RB Darren Sproles tries to run through the tackle
LB Brandon Graham closes in
DE Cedric Thornton gets up for the block
LB Connor Barwin goes for the fumble
DE Fletcher Cox is fired up
T Lane Johnson goes for the block
Fired up!
WR Miles Austin pushes for more
TE Zach Ertz protects the ball
QB Sam Bradford in the spotlight
RB Darren Sproles runs from the traffic
RB Ryan Mathews braces for the hit
RB DeMarco Murray scores a touchdown
Congratulations all around
DT Bennie Logan stops Atlanta
RB DeMarco Murray scores his second touchdown of the night
The #Eagles defense is putting up a wall
Keep pushing through!
TE Zach Ertz moves around the tackle
On fire!
RB DeMarco Murray shows what he's got!
CB Byron Maxwell gets ahold of the runner
T Allen Barbre gives RB Ryan Mathews a little extra help with the touchdown
The #Eagles celebrate RB Ryan Mathews' touchdown
High-fives all around!
We love #EaglesNation!
RB Ryan Mathews steers through traffic
S Malcolm Jenkins comes through with a huge stop
WR Jordan Matthews is in the clear
Teamwork!
WR Jordan Matthews is off to the races
QB Sam Bradford has time to make the throw
RB Darren Sproles makes them miss
WR Riley Cooper moves quickly
RB Ryan Mathews finds the opening
S Malcolm Jenkins holds on to make the big stop
LB Kiko Alonso congratulates S Malcolm Jenkins on the stop
