The Eagles beat the Cleveland Browns, 29-10, in the season opener on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Here is a recap of the action ...
Wentz's First Career Two TD Passes
The Eagles and quarterback Carson Wentz got things started quickly on Sunday afternoon, striking first at the 9:56 mark of the first quarter. On the opening play of the game, Wentz handed the ball off to Ryan Mathews for a gain of 6 yards, getting the offense rolling. The rookie's first completion of the game came shortly thereafter, when he found tight end Zach Ertz for another 14 yards. The nine-play drive concluded with a 19-yard Jordan Matthews touchdown, marking Wentz's first career NFL touchdown pass. In all, the quarterback led the team 75 yards down the field and the score gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead after a successful extra point attempt from Caleb Sturgis.
The rookie quarterback was back at it again in the third quarter, when he connected with wide receiver Nelson Agholor for his second touchdown pass of the game. Wentz first found Dorial Green-Beckham for a 9-yard gain. Then, on fourth down, the quarterback connected with Ertz, which brought the team to Cleveland 35-yard line. On the next play, he threw a deep ball to Agholor in the end zone to give the Eagles a 22-10 lead with 6:23 remaining in the third.
Wentz finished his first NFL game 22-of-37 for 278 yards and two touchdowns.
A Strong Performance From The Defense
At the start of the second quarter, the Eagles' defense stopped the Browns on fourth-down fake punt at the Cleveland 35-yard line after forcing three-and-outs on Cleveland's previous two drives. The team's offense then completed a four-play drive that was capped off by a successful Sturgis field goal to increase the lead to 10-0 with 12:30 left to play in the half.
Then with 3:52 remaining in the second quarter, the Eagles' defense set up its first takeaway of the season. Safety Rodney McLeod intercepted a Robert Griffin III pass that was originally intended for wide receiver Corey Coleman. Linebacker Jordan Hicks and cornerback Nolan Carroll each tipped the ball, leading to the interception. The Eagles' offense then took over at their own 21-yard line, leading to another Sturgis field goal and putting the team up, 13-7.
Not wanting to miss out on the fun, Flecther Cox recorded the Eagles' first sack of the season during the third quarter. He took down Griffin for a loss of 8 yards on the play.
In all, the Browns were only able to put up 10 points on a touchdown and field goal.
Mathews Leads The Run Game
Running back Ryan Mathews was a force in the run game for the Eagles on Sunday, finishing the game with 77 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the running back drilled in a 1-yard touchdown run (Beau Allen was the fullback) to seal the Eagles' victory.
Do The Safety Dance
With 10:54 remaining in the third quarter, a fumbled Browns snap resulted in an Eagles safety. The Browns' center, Cam Erving, snapped the ball high, which then bounced 10 yards and out of the back of the end zone. RGIII attempted to chase it down, but was not successful. The two points put the Eagles up, 15-10.
Injury Update
Cornerback Leodis McKelvin left the game during the third quarter with a hamstring injury. He did not return.
