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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Heading into the game, Ryan Mathews knew his team would be depending on him.
With DeMarco Murray out, this game would be his opportunity to step up and help the Eagles get back on track. It was time to get the run game going and show Philadelphia what this offense can do.
Mathews was a constant presence throughout the entirety of the 60 minutes. He accumulated 108 rushing yards during the afternoon and added on another 20 receiving yards and a touchdown. While the numbers may have surprised some, the running back was confident in his capabilities.
"This was not my first rodeo. I've played the game before. I've started the game before," Mathews said. "It was fun. It was fun to be back out there and run and step in for a great running back."
He was quick to admit that it had been some time since he'd had so many carries, finishing the game with 25. Yet, the post-game aches and pains were worth the result. At the end of the day, all that matters to Mathews is getting that win.
This afternoon, he and his team did just that. The happiness was all over his face.
"It's great. It's always good to get the first one out of the way," the running back said. "We've had two bad weeks the first couple weeks and we just have to keep getting better. This is the beginning of I think something great."
One of the biggest offensive changes was that the team played more snaps under center on Sunday than in the first two games. The formation is one Mathews feels more comfortable in as it allows him to have better vision on the field. Knowing it would be down a back in Murray, the team worked toward Mathews' strengths. The game plan certainly ended well.
"I feel like I can see a little bit better. I like running things in the gun too, don't get me wrong," he said. "I think I run better from under center. I think I just see a lot more than what I do usually when the quarterback's in the gun. It's something I've got to work on and get better at."
The fact that the Eagles' offense finally began clicking when going against what was the league's top scoring defense acts as a huge boost moving forward. However, Mathews was quick to give credit to the offensive line for this Sunday's performance.
He felt its play was one of the factors that helped decide the outcome of the game.
"They play hard. They're big guys. They're fast, physical," he said of the Jets. "We knew coming into this game it was going to be a fight. My guys did a great job up front. They worked their tails off today, and they deserve all the credit."
Although a lot in this game went right for Mathews and the offense, the Eagles know there is still work to be done. They're going to enjoy this win, but the focus is already on to Washington.
"It's been awhile since I've had carries like that, but it's fun," Mathews said. "It's a great feeling, especially after a win. I'm going to come back and watch film tomorrow, work on our mistakes and get better and get ready for next week."
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
