The 2014 season has certainly not begun as expected for the Eagles, as they trail 17-0 at home to a Jacksonville Jaguars team that has looked more ready to play since the opening kickoff. Adding injury to the insult of the first-half scoreline, the Eagles have also lost left guard Evan Mathis for the game with a left knee injury, while right tackle Allen Barbre is questionable to return with an ankle injury. That has left an offensive line protecting Nick Foles as, from left to right: Jason Peters, David Molk, Jason Kelce, Todd Herremans and Andrew Gardner.
The Jaguars began the quarter in Eagles' territory after starting a late-first quarter drive from their own 1-yard-line. One three-yard pass to Denard Robinson and two incompletions (including another batted pass by Connor Barwin) later and the Jaguars added three points thanks to a 49-yard Josh Scobee field goal to give the visitors a 17-0 lead with 14:14 left in the quarter.
The Eagles, though, would follow with another three-and-out, as Nick Foles went down for a sack by Ryan Davis on 3rd-and-11.
The Eagles defense then did their part to help momentum after the Jaguars started on the Eagles' 40-yard-line after a 13-yard punt return by Mike Brown. An important stop on 3rd-and-1 by Brandon Bair, playing in his first NFL game, forced a 50-yard field goal attempt, which Scobee would push wide left.
Finally, then, it looked like the Eagles had something going on offense. A 30-yard completion to rookie Jordan Matthews on first down, followed by a personal foul penalty on the Jaguars, brought the Eagles into the Jaguars' red zone. A completion to Jeremy Maclin then set the Eagles up for 1st-and-goal from the 5-yard-line. But on the next play, Foles would try a pass in the left corner to Brent Celek, only to underthrow the ball and see it intercepted by Jaguars cornerback Alan Ball.
The Jaguars would convert that opportunity into another field goal attempt after a long, 62-yard drive that eclipsed about five-and-a-half minutes of game time. The Eagles special teams then stepped up, as Brandon Bair blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt by Scobee. Along the way, running back Toby Gerhart left the game with an ankle injury and is questionable to return. He's been replaced by Jordan Todman and Denard Robinson.
With 4:36 left in the half, then, the Eagles offense was once again tasked with making something happen. Before things could get started though, left guard Evan Mathis limped off with an injury as Andrew Gardner stepped in to replace Mathis. Two plays later, right tackle Allen Barbre limped off, bringing David Molk into the game at left guard, with Gardner sliding to right tackle. The Eagles only dressed seven lineman on the gameday roster.
But the Eagles offense continued to move down the field, with three consecutive third-down conversions that probably shouldn't have been made. The first two came courtesy of penalties, one for defensive holding and one for illegal contact. The third came after Foles was hit in the backfield as the Jaguars continued to create consistent pressure, though Foles would shake off the hit and find Jeremy Maclin an 11-yard completion. The drive would eventually stall, however, at the Jaguars' 39-yard-line, forcing a Donnie Jones punt.
One quick Jaguars drive later, and an Eagles hail mary, and the two teams would head into the locker room with the Jaguars leading 17-0. The Eagles will receive the opening kickoff.
LEADERS
Passing
Nick Foles – 12-of-24 for 139 yards, one interception, two lost fumbles and a 50.5 quarterback rating
Chad Henne – 12-of-17 for 167 yards, two touchdowns and a 141.1 quarterback rating
Rushing
LeSean McCoy – 10 carries for 38 yards and three catches for 26 yards
Toby Gerhart – 10 carries for 17 yards
Receiving
Jeremy Maclin – Two catches for 21 yards
Jordan Mathews – One catch for 30 yards
Allen Hurns – Four catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns
