CHICAGO – The opening salvo of the 2014 Eagles season was littered with mistakes as Nick Foles matched his 2013 regular season interception total in one quarter and the first-team offense and defense combined for seven penalties (though only three were accepted). But this, of course, is the preseason and there is now room to grow as the Eagles march ever forward to the regular season.
The initial possession for the Eagles began from the 13-yard-line, and started with a 12-yard completion to Ifeanyi Momah, one of the best stories of Training Camp thus far, who started on the outside in place of the injured Riley Cooper. But five plays later, on 3rd-and-18, Foles threw over the middle into the waiting hands of Bears safety Ryan Mundy.
The offense's second possession was marred by three penalties, including back-to-back penalties that forced the offense into a 1st-and-30 situation. Though head coach Chip Kelly said that the starters would play 10-15 snaps, the offense went out for a third series despite playing 11 plays on the first two drives. Hoping to end the night on a good note, Foles and the offense would make one more mistake.
After moving the ball into Bears territory thanks to some impressive running by Darren Sproles and Jeremy Maclin's first catch of the Kelly era (a 15-yard reception), Foles tried to fit the ball into a tight window for Zach Ertz, only to have the ball intercepted by Sherrick McManis.
The first-team offense finished their night with 18 plays, zero points and plenty to work on.
Meanwhile, the first-team defense started quickly, forcing the Bears to go three-and-out, followed by a blocked field goal by Damion Square.
The subsequent defensive possession, however, included more penalties, resulting in a long, 69-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jay Cutler to Zach Miller. The starting defense, on the night, played 18 snaps in getting their work in.
With the respective second teams on their way into the action, the Eagles trail 7-0.
LEADERS
Passing
Nick Foles – 6-of-9 for 44 yards, two interceptions and a 38.4 quarterback rating
Jay Cutler – 9-of-13 for 85 yards, one touchdown and a 112.7 quarterback rating
Rushing
Darren Sproles – Three carries for 11 yards
Shaun Draughn – One carry for 2 yards.
Receiving
Ifeanyi Momah – Two catches for 15 yards
Jeremy Maclin – One catch for 15 yards
Brandon Marshall – Five catches for 31 yards
