Since the start of the season, the Eagles' offense has been the missing piece of the puzzle. Today, it finally came alive, totaling 519 yards of offense in the team's 39-17 win over New Orleans.
Early in the game, two red zone interceptions could have been the beginning of the end for Philadelphia, but the team stayed mentally tough. The first points of the game went to New Orleans, after quarterback Drew Brees and tight end Benjamin Watson connected on a 6-yard touchdown pass. But, the Eagles were quick to strike back in the second quarter. Josh Huff notched the first receiving touchdown of his career, moving the ball 41 yards down the field and flipping into to the end zone for six.
The Eagles kicked a field goal with seconds remaining in the half, taking a 10-7 lead. And, after allowing a field goal to New Orleans on the opening drive of the second half, the team's offense took off.
Throughout the game, quarterback Sam Bradford completed 32-of-45 passes for 333 yards and the ball was spread around the field. The team saw touchdowns from the aforementioned Huff, tight end Brent Celek and running backs Ryan Mathews and DeMarco Murray on the ground. In terms of receiving yards, Huff led the way with 78, followed by Zach Ertz's 60 yards and Celek and Jordan Matthews each had 44 yards on the afternoon.
The team's three-headed monster also had a breakout game. Mathews, Murray and Darren Sproles rushed for a combined 183 yards. Murray accumulated 83, Mathews gained 73 and Sproles made up the additional 27.
Kicker Caleb Sturgis was 4-of-4 on field goals, adding to the Eagles lead.
However, without the attack of the defense, this explosive offensive may have never come to fruition for the Eagles. Fletcher Cox had a career day, sacking Brees three times, forcing two fumbles and recovering one. His other forced fumble was recovered by rookie Jordan Hicks, who has recovered three in the past four weeks. He's the first Eagles rookie with three fumble recoveries in a season since safety Michael Lewis in 2002. Bennie Logan and Bryan Braman also notched a sack each on the quarterback and in the fourth, linebacker DeMeco Ryans forced Brees to fumble yet again. That fumble was recovered by Byron Maxwell.
Late in the game, Walter Thurmond intercepted the quarterback for the Saints' fourth turnover of the day. He ran it back 44 yards to the 4-yard line, ultimately setting up Murray's touchdown run.
The game proved to be exactly what the Eagles needed to get back on track. Now sitting at 2-3, the team will look to build off this momentum next week when it plays the Giants on Monday Night Football.
The Eagles returned home to face the Saints in Week 5 of the regular season. View the full gallery here...
Not stopping DE Fletcher Cox
QB Sam Bradford finds his man
The lasers fall on RB Ryan Mathews
RB Ryan Mathews beats the defense
Thanking our amazing staff members!
Going for the ball
TE Zach Ertz gets the edge
Checking out the new hardware
Touchdown!
The kick
The Gameday Staff jersey
Free face painting in HeadHouse Plaza!
Getting new Eagles art
EaglesTBC wood sculpture
Tackling Breast Cancer! #EaglesTBC
Crazy In Stereo rocking out in HeadHouse Plaza!
Enjoying pregame on the sidelines
Habits Reflect the Mission
Ready to Tackle Breast Cancer #EaglesTBC
QB Sam Bradford warms up
Rise and Shine!
S Malcolm Jenkins gets everyone fired up
It's time!
Heading to the locker room after pregame
A toss to TE Trey Burton
A pass to WR Jordan Matthews
K Caleb Sturgis leads the way
Before the lights...
CB Byron Maxwell makes his way to the field
It's time to work!
WR Riley Cooper warms up
Ts Allen Barbre and Jason Peters make the block
The pass from QB Sam Bradford
TE Brent Celek warms up
QB Stephen Morris throws a few passes
Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur talks to players during pregame
QB Sam Bradford gets ready for the game
RB DeMarco Murray prepares to face the Saints
QB Sam Bradford
RB Darren Sproles makes his run
RB Darren Sproles during pregame
RB DeMarco Murray on the carry
RB DeMarco Murray runs the ball
C/G Josh Andrew during pregame
Signing the jersey
Running Back Coach Duce Staley is excited for the game
Catching up with the Saints
Head Coaches Chip Kelly and Sean Payton talk during pregame
The coaches watch practice
DT Bennie Logan sacks Saints QB Drew Brees
Celebrating the sack!
Enjoying the #EaglesTBC game!
RB Ryan Mathews beats the tackle
RB DeMarco Murray stays on his feet
TE Brent Celek goes for the block
Going for the pass
T Lane Johnson protects on the snap
C Julian Vandervelde hits the pads
RB Kenjon Barner wearing his #EaglesTBC gear during pregame
The speed
EaglesNation is the best!
DE Fletcher Cox warms up
LB Connor Barwin takes off
All smiles here!
Can't catch LB Bryan Braman
DT Bennie Logan goes for Saints QB Drew Brees
The sack!
Trying to break the tackle
LB Connor Barwin pushes back
QB Sam Bradford finds his receiver
RB Darren Sproles does his thing
The pass is in the air
The celebration
Celebrating WR Josh Huff's touchdown
RB DeMarco Murray Makes it to the sideline
WR Josh Huff flips into the endzone
Admiring the new pin
FlyEaglesFly
S Chris Maragos comes up on Special Teams
DE Fletcher Cox gets the sack
The Eagles Drumline rocks the house!
EaglesTBC drums!
WR Jordan Matthews controls the ball
Dodging defenders
The defense stops New Orleans
Protection allows for the throw
All smiles for WR Josh Huff
The moment before the touchdown...
QB Sam Bradford is dialed in
RB DeMarco Murray tries to beat the Saints defenders
SproleTrain
RB DeMarco Murray attacks
TE Zach Ertz heads in the right direction
DE Fletcher Cox celebrates another sack
An amazing stop by S Malcolm Jenkins
K Caleb Sturgis and LS Jon Dorenbos celebrate the extra point
Honoring our Gameday Staff members who have been with us for 10 years!
The Drumline entertaining
The defense swarms
Drums of Thunder performs at halftime
Together We Fight
EaglesTBC Drumline
RB Ryan Mathews finds the endzone
Eyes on the prize
Fumble!
DE Fletcher Cox pokes the ball loose
WR Josh Huff flips into the endzone
Soaring
RB DeMarco Murray changes direction
TE Brent Celek flies through the defense
WR Jordan Matthews braces for the tackle
WR Josh Huff is a happy man
Three cheers for WR Josh Huff!
Rocking out!
Young musicians
TE Brent Celek scores!
Touchdown celebrations
QB Sam Bradford makes the call
T Jason Peters puts up the block
TE Zach Ertz charges forward
RB Ryan Mathews on the move
EaglesTBC
How about that Drumline?!
Pink drums for #EaglesTBC
LB Connor Barwin tries to block the pass
Coming in for the landing
RB DeMarco Murray dodges
WR Josh Huff protects the ball
QB Sam Bradford gives instructions
Two against one
Full steam ahead!
The kick is good!
K Caleb Sturgis in stride
RB Darren Sproles makes his move
DE Cedric Thornton reaches for the tackle
All hands on deck
S Malcolm Jenkins is on fire
WR Jordan Matthews defends
Fear DE Fletcher Cox
Fumble recovery for DE Fletcher Cox
EaglesNation is loving it!
Head-to-head
Trying to break the tackle
RB Ryan Mathews has arrived
Touchdown celebrations all around!
Nothing like a fumble recovery to put a smile on your face
LB Brandon Graham pushes back
Having a great time with #EaglesNation!
TE Brent Celek celebrates
LB DeMeco Ryans forces the fumble
DB Walter Thurmond intercepts the ball!
Bleed Green
Eagles Alum Sheldon Brown meets fans
Sheldon Brown speaking to Eagles Season Ticket Members
EaglesTBC ice sculptures
Volunteers selling #EaglesTBC hats!
EaglesTBC rally towels
Volunteers handing out #EaglesTBC rally towels
