Wow Philadelphia. Just, wow. Shutting down the #1 ranked offense this year, and the 2015 #1 ranked offense in the same season. The Falcons averaged 33.1 points per game this season, and the Shwartz scheme held them to a measly 15 points and only one touchdown. Not to mention the revival of Ryan Matthews.
The offense wasn't spectacular in reality. With too many drops per usual especially from Jordan Matthews, one of which was off both hands while he was all alone in the middle of the field. Carson Wentz did a great job keeping plays alive and converting on 3rd downs. He ended the game with a mild 25/36 and 231 passing yards with no touchdowns. We are definitely seeing him develop, and quickly. He would of completed at least 3 more passes and possibly for touchdowns, if our receivers could make the hard grabs. Albeit, the passing/receiving game certainly wasn't the highlight. The rushing attempt could't of been any more dominant with the resurgence of a Matthews we haven't seen in a long time. Rushing for 109 yards and crossing pay dirt twice in one game is not an every sunday occurrence for the back, who almost lost the starting spot to Darren Sproles. Although Matthews was fantastic on the ground, I saw the real show in Wendell Smallwood, who quietly posted 70 yards on 13 attempts. For a smaller rookie back, it isn't half bad and we could see him develop into our workhorse in the future.
Now onto the sole reason the Eagles stayed in the game and was able to pull it out in the end, the defense. I'm no export of football strategy, but whatever Jim Shwartz did to kick this offense into 3rd gear he needs to keep doing it. The Atlanta falcons were the sole front runners for the #1 offense in football with their quarterback Matt Ryan and stud wideout Julio Jones leading the league in total yards. The Eagles kept Julio Jones out of the end zone and always wrapped him up before he could get any YAC (Yards after the catch) which is where Julio posted the majority of his yards gained. He makes catches at 5 yards away and rushes for the next 30 for a 35 yard reception, that's Julio. But, when the eagles corners are on him to tackle him and not try and cut into his routes, it stopped him from going anywhere. Technically speaking he won't drop 99% of his passes, so play to take him down and not to impede his catching ability, and it just so happened to work. I'm sure the rest of the NFL will be watching Eagles game film and taking notes on how to stop the best WR in the league.
Another small victory was Kenjon Barner tearing apart the Falcons special teams and returning the ball only 3 times, and averaging 38 yards per return. If fans watched the game, everyone knows if Kenjon can get past the Kicker...twice...and when the kicker was hurt...thats 14 more points for Philly off of those 2 returns. Though you can't blame him, the sudden exile of Josh Huff left as all surprised, but let's be honest, no one is gonna miss him the way the Eagles played this week.
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