EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Starting the season 0-2, the Eagles knew they needed to get on track when they traveled to MetLife Stadium. But, would it be possible for a team bogged down with injuries to hand the 2-0 Jets their first loss of the season? With determination, Philadelphia fought and did just that, defeating the Jets 24-17 for its first victory of 2015.
One of the biggest concerns for the Eagles coming into the matchup was their run game. In their first two outings, the Eagles rushed for a combined 70 yards, a number that put them last in the NFL. With DeMarco Murray out of the lineup, the run game became an even bigger concern. However, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles stepped up on Sunday afternoon. Mathews had 25 carries for 108 rushing yards, while Sproles had just 17 rushing yards but a touchdown. Sproles also was a key contributor to the game on special teams, returning a punt 89 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. It marked the longest return of his career and second-longest punt return in Eagles history.
Mathews tacked on a touchdown of his own after catching a 23-yard pass from quarterback Sam Bradford off a wheel route. The quarterback completed 14-of-28 passes for 118 yards during the afternoon. In total, the Eagles had 231 yards of offense with 123 rushing yards and 108 passing yards.
Due to the injuries of Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks, rookie Jordan Hicks saw a major bump in his playing time. The linebacker had numerous key tackles, accounted for a fumble recovery and had his first-career interception in the fourth quarter after Brandon Bair deflected a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass.
Throughout the afternoon, the Eagles' defense caused four turnovers, three of which were interceptions. In addition to Hicks' pick, rookie Eric Rowe and safety Walter Thurmond notched the remaining two. Rowe picked off the Jets' quarterback in the end zone at the end of the third quarter, preventing a New York touchdown. Thurmond's came later in the game, with just over three minutes remaining. He grabbed the ball at the Philadelphia 18-yard line.
Despite allowing a fourth quarter field goal, the Eagles held onto the lead to finish the game. The Eagles are now a perfect 10-0 all time against the New York Jets. With one win under their belt, the Eagles will now move their focus to next Sunday's division game against Washington.
The Eagles traveled to New York to face the Jets in Week 3 of the regular season. View the full gallery here...
RB Ryan Mathews on the run
RB Darren Sproles going for the touchdown!
Making the turn
RB Ryan Mathews celebrates his touchdown
RB Ryan Mathews puts up protection
S Malcolm Jenkins closes in
Almost home free!
QB Sam Bradford warms up in New York
WR Riley Cooper faces off against S Malcolm Jenkins during pregame
QB Sam Bradford has some space to make the play
Talking strategy against the Jets
RB Kenjon Barner gets moving
WR Jordan Matthews is ready for the game!
LB DeMeco Ryans gets the team fired up
LB Marcus Smith leads the charge
LB Brad Jones takes his turn with the run
LB Najee Goode runs the route
Goode in focus
TE Zach Ertz warms up
The Eagles have arrived in the Empire State
DT Beau Allen prepares for the game
K Cody Parkey gets ready for the kick
C Jason Kelce is ready to take the field
Ready to fly
FlyEaglesFly
It's game time
The Eagles make the stop early
LB Jordan Hicks squares up
Taking the field
LB Najee Goode runs towards the play
S Chris Maragos sticks with the tackle
LB Brad Jones and S Chris Maragos stop the Jets
RB Darren Sproles plots his route
RB Darren Sproles pushes through the line
WR Jordan Matthews gets the yards
RB Darren Sproles tries to break free
LS Jon Dorenbos and K Cody Parkey celebrate the extra point
S Malcolm Jenkins pounces on the Jets
RB Ryan Mathews runs past the blocks
C Jason Kelce directs the line
WR Jordan Matthews runs through the open field
Closing in on his next move
WR Jordan Matthews steers through Jets traffic
RB Darren Sproles pushes through
QB Sam Bradford takes the snap
K Cody Parkey makes the kick
QB Sam Bradford finds his target
Sproles on the go
DE Brandon Bair gets in the mix
WR Jordan Matthews takes off
RB Darren Sproles takes the handoff
DT Bennie Logan and DB Walter Thurmond team up for the tackle
RB Darren Sproles celebrates the huge punt return for a touchdown
Off to the races!
LB Marcus Smith congratulates RB Darren Sproles
CB Byron Maxwell goes for the ball
CB Byron Maxwell fights for the tackle
QB Sam Bradford sends the ball flying
The Eagles defense works hard
Congratulations are waiting on the sidelines
P Donnie Jones sets up for the kick
Going, going, gone!
QB Sam Bradford takes his time to make the play
The Eagles swarm
TE Zach Ertz with the reception
RB Ryan Mathews prepares to make the catch
RB Ryan Mathews takes off
The Jets try to close in on Mathews
Congratulations after the extra point
QB Sam Bradford looks for his receiver
TE Zach Ertz holds onto the ball
LB DeMeco Ryans gets in position
DE Vinny Curry goes for the ball
DE Vinny Curry is not giving up
RB Darren Sproles looks for the opening
RB Darren Sproles shakes the tackle
Getting to the open field!
LB Najee Goode celebrates with RB Darren Sproles
The running backs celebrate the touchdown!
LB Jordan Hicks takes possession
The Eagles recover the ball!
WR Jordan Matthews stretches for the touchdown
Another Eagles stop
DT Bennie Logan gets ahold of the Jets
CB Nolan Carroll marks up
RB Ryan Mathews breaks free
QB Sam Bradford looks down the field
RB Ryan Mathews has the endzone in sight
Mathews moves along
Making the call
The defense is dialed in
Going long
RB Darren Sproles celebrates the touchdown
Head Coach Chip Kelly makes the call
On the line
DE Vinny Curry holds on tight
RB Darren Sproles pushes through the coverage
RB Darren Sproles walks away with the ball
Another celebration for RB Darren Sproles
RB Darren Sproles protects on the run
Eagles Nation representing in New York
The pass is in the air...
Getting the yards
LB Brandon Graham applies pressure
The Eagles continue to pressure Fitzpatrick
DT Bennie Logan stops the run
The line puts up a wall
LB Jordan Hicks charges
DT Bennie Logan is pumped up!
LB Marcus Smith watches the ball
The Eagles break up the pass
DB Walter Thurmond goes for the interception
Not so fast!
The head coaches shake hands after the game
Brotherly Love
Ryans and Fitzpatrick shake hands
CB Byron Maxwell speaks with Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick after the game
Catching up after a tough game
Eagles Nation showed their support
CB Byron Maxwell thanks Eagles Nation
RB Darren Sproles is unstoppable
The linebackers celebrate
DE Fletcher Cox congratulates LB Jordan Hicks
A huge stop!
DB Walter Thurmond is on Cloud 9
...On the Road to Victory!
RB Ryan Mathews breaks free
WR Seyi Ajirotutu recovers the ball
A quick timeout discussion
