GREEN BAY, WI -- The Eagles' offense started with a bang on Saturday night, and the momentum carried throughout the first quarter, as the team jumped out to a 25-0 lead en route to a 39-26 victory over the Packers with a remarkably efficient offensive effort.
After a 67-yard kickoff return by Raheem Mostert set the Eagles up inside Packers' territory, Sam Bradford and the Eagles' offense went to work quickly. Bradford and running back DeMarco Murray teamed up to pick up two first downs on the first four plays. After Ryan Mathews took the Eagles down to the 8-yard line, Bradford threw a beautiful touch pass to Darren Sproles to put the Eagles on the board first.
In the blink of an eye, the Eagles drove 38 yards on six plays in just 2:00 of game time. All three featured running backs contributed on the drive, a taste of what's to come in the regular season.
Things moved just as fast for the Eagles on their second drive of the game. Picking up right where they left off, the Eagles featured another strong balance between running and passing, as a big 27-yard completion from Bradford to Jordan Matthews set the Eagles up just outside of the red zone. Faced with fourth-and-goal at the 3-yard line, the Eagles went for it. It turned out to be a good decision, as Bradford found Trey Burton for the 3-yard scoring strike.
The Eagles battle the Green Bay Packers in their third preseason game of the 2015 season. Check out all of the action from the game ...
Hello, RB Ryan Mathews
DB Walter Thurmond celebrates the touchdown!
The helmet has landed in Lambeau Field!
LB DeMeco Ryans warms up
LS Jon Dorenbos is focused and ready to go in Green Bay
P Kip Smith sends one flying
LB Connor Barwin puts in the work at Lambeau
Eagles fans are representing in Green Bay!
Worth the trip to Lambeau to see the #Eagles
The fans are ready for Maragos' homecoming
WR Nelson Agholor warms up
RB Darren Sproles is ready for the game
RB DeMarco Murray makes his move
WR Jordan Matthews congratulates RB Darren Sproles on his touchdown
QB Tim Tebow attempts the two-point conversion
RB Darren Sproles gets near the end zone
LB Brandon Graham and DT Bennie Logan make the tackle
S Chris Prosinski warms up
RB DeMarco Murray steers through traffic
RB Darren Sproles starts it off strong
DE Fletcher Cox takes in Lambeau prior to the game
DE Vinny Curry enjoys the moment
RB DeMarco Murray leaps through the crowd
RB DeMarco Murray pushes through
Congratulations are in order for TE Trey Burton
TD for TE Trey Burton!
DB Walter Thurmond with the pick six!
WR Riley Cooper celebrates with TE Brent Celek
CB Byron Maxwell is pumped up
Eagles crossing paths
P Kip Smith goes for the extra point
Linebackers have it covered
WR Nelson Agholor protects the ball
WR Jeff Maehl connects
RB Ryan Mathews plots his move
QB Mark Sanchez goes for the pass
P Kip Smith in the open field
RB DeMarco Murray is in control
Another #Eagles touchdown!
Way to go, Birds!
RB Kenjon Barner braces himself
T Dennis Kelly celebrates with WR Jeff Maehl
WR Jeff Maehl runs into traffic but holds on to the ball
T Allen Barbre squares up
TE Trey Burton goes for it
Anxiously waiting...
DE Vinny Curry and LB Jordan Hicks work together for the tackle
The #Eagles march on
Going for the extra yards
Going for the ball
RB Kenjon Barner finds the opening
WR Jeff Maehl takes off
WR Jeff Maehl races forward
Celebration in the end zone!
LB Deontae Skinner makes the tackle
QB Matt Barkley enters the game
A showdown in Green Bay
G.J. Kinne runs the ball
RB Raheem Mostert goes for it
QB Tim Tebow launches it
RB Raheem Mostert sees the opening
QB Matt Barkley makes the pass
RB Kevin Monangai gets his turn
LB Najee Goode looks for the tackle
LB Brad Jones makes the block
LB Najee Goode dives for the ball
G.J. Kinne holds on to the ball
LB Diaheem Watkins and DE Brian Mihalik race towards the ball
CB Marc Anthony makes the tackle
QB Tim Tebow runs with the ball
The story was much the same on the third drive. On the first play from the Eagles' 41-yard line, Bradford found Sproles for a 33-yard pickup across the middle, and on second-and-goal, Bradford hit Celek for another touchdown. In his first three drives, Bradford was an impressive 10-of-10 for 121 yards and three touchdowns.
"We just found a rhythm early and it was nice to come off the field, go back on, keep that thythm and just keep firing," Bradford said. "It was nice to get out there last week and play the one series, but today to be out there for three series and have three touchdowns, but to be able to come to the sideline and communicate with the offensive line, talk to Coach (Chip) Kelly about where we're going and what we're thinking, I think that was big too."
Jason Peters had a first-hand view of how well Bradford and the rest of the offense were able to systematically move down the field, and seeing Bradford continually hitting his mark wasn't much of a surprise.
"We felt good," Peters said. "We came out of the gate, scored really quick, and we didn't look back. We gave (Bradford) some time and he was completing his passes and we just kept the ball moving. He's been doing this the whole time he's been here, it was just about doing it in a game. The guy can throw the ball."
According to Murray, who ran for 28 yards on six carries, the offensive picture is starting to come into focus as the Eagles get closer to the season opener in Atlanta on Monday, September 14.
"We've been working together since OTAs and mini-camp, and this time of year you're definitely getting ready for the season," Murray said. "I definitely think we're jelling. We're heading in the right direction. There's always some extra work to do, so we'll watch the film and learn from the things we didn't do so well and continue to grow from it."
On a night where the offense looked as good as ever, Murray believes there is still room for improvement, no doubt a scary thought for the rest of the NFL.
"It's great," Murray said. "Our pace is something that's to our favor ... I thought that today we did an okay job, but we can obviously do better."
