Through one quarter, the Eagles are well on their way to their 10th consecutive win at Lincoln Financial Field. In fact, it only took one play for the Eagles to jump ahead to a lead as [Josh Huff returned the opening kickoff 107 yards for a dazzling touchdown.
Thanks to contributions from special teams, offense and especially defense, the Eagles lead Tennessee 17-0 after the first stanza.
The Eagles would not rest on that early 7-0 lead. The defense did its part on the Titans' first offensive possession, holding Zach Mettenberger and the visitors to a three-and-out, punctuated by a Connor Barwin sack on third down. Barwin now had 11.5 sacks on the season. Make sure he gets into the Pro Bowl by voting here.
With the Titans pinned back, Darren Sproles set up the Eagles offense near Titans territory with a 13-yard return to the Eagles' 49-yard-line.
Then it was turn for Mark Sanchez and the offense to strut its stuff. Three first downs later (two via LeSean McCoy runs, one from a 15-yard completion to Brent Celek) and the Eagles were inside the Titans' 10-yard-line. After a McCoy run took the Eagles to the 4-yard-line, Darren Sproles entered the game to take a handoff to the left side and into the end zone to give the Eagles a 14-0 lead.
The Eagles defense would force another punt on the Titans' ensuing possession, once again forcing the visitors to go three-and-out.
The Eagles offense stalled on its next possession after a would-be first down completion to McCoy was called back for offensive pass interference.
Again, though, the Eagles defense would force a three-and-out. Through the Titans' first three offensive possessions, they had gained just a paltry three yards.
In fact, through the Titans' first four drives, they netted only 12 yards of offense and zero first downs.
After Cody Parkey made his 15th consecutive field goal (and 19th of 20 attempts this season) to give the Eagles a 17-0 lead, the offense would make its first mistake of the day following the Titans' fourth three-and-out.
On second down from the Eagles' 8-yard-line, Sanchez threw in the direction of wide receiver Riley Cooper, only for Titans cornerback Brandon Ghee to step inside and intercept the pass. After a holding call, the Titans will have 2nd-and-20 from the Eagles' 40 to begin the second quarter.
UPDATE: On the first play of the second quarter, the Titans scored a touchdown to pull within 17-7 on a truly bizarre play. Mettenberger threw in the direction of wide receiver Justin Hunter, only for Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins to tip the ball. But the deflected ball fell into the path of Hunter, who caught it and ran into the end zone for a 40-yard score.
LEADERS
Passing
Mark Sanchez – 8-of-14 for 77 yards, one interception and a 42.9 quarterback rating
Zach Mettenberger – 1-of-7 for 4 yards and a 39.6 quarterback rating
Rushing
LeSean McCoy – Seven carries for 34 yards
Darren Sproles -- One carry for four yards and a touchdown
Bishop Sankey – Three carries for 10 yards
Receiving
Jordan Matthews – Three catches for 28 yards
Justin Hunter – One catch for 40 yards and a touchdown
