Eagles vs. Falcons: The Good, Bad & Ugly
ATLANTA, GA (CBS) — There was some things to like, a lot to dislike and there was a lot to be overly concerned about the Eagles in their 26-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Monday night.
The Good
Running back Darren Sproles was his typical amazing self. His effort was wasted, after rushing for 50 yards on 5 carries, and getting 76 yards on 7 receptions. Too bad some of his teammates weren't as committed to winning as he was.
Safety Malcolm Jenkins tackle for a 4-yard loss on third-and-one of Tevin Coleman giving the Eagles some faint hope.
Linebacker Kiko Alonzo's interception in the end zone in the first quarter enabled the Eagles to survive. It came on the Falcons' second drive and could have meant big trouble for the Birds to get down 10-0 that early.
Safety Walter Thurman had a great overall game, but his interception at the Falcons' 31 on Atlanta's first drive of the third quarter turned the game around. Thurman also made a nice play in the first half, when he came up and took down Devanta Freeman for a 6-yard loss and forced the Falcons into a Matt Bryant 39-yard field goal. Brandon Graham made the play possible by forcing Freeman outside.
Right tackle Lane Johnson great block that sealed the outside on DeMarco Murray's 8-yard TD run with 13:13 left in the third quarter.
Center Jason Kelce's great second-level block Darren Sproles' 27-yard run that led to DeMarco Murray's second TD, which the Eagles within 20-17.
Defensive Fletcher Cox putting constant pressure on Matt Ryan up the middle and from the outside, and picked up a sack.
Linebacker Mychal Kendricks was among the Eagles' leaders with 9 tackles.
The Bad
Cornerback Byron Maxwell proved to be just what he is—a competent corner who is not a shutdown corner. Maxwell couldn't cover Julio Jones—not that many corners can in the NFL. Jones beat Maxwell on a 22-yard Ryan TD pass in the second quarter, then again for a 44-yard reception that set up Matt Bryant's go-ahead 47-yard fourth-quarter field goal.
Linebacker DeMeco Ryans looked rusty. He missed a tackle that he should have had near the end of the first half.
Quarterback Sam Bradford (first half) looked like he was playing in his first NFL game. He was 15 for 27 for 117 yards and 1 interception, and 51.0 QB rating.
Center Jason Kelce's hold in the fourth quarter that took away Ryan Mathews' 25-yard gain to the Falcons' 10. It pushed the Eagles back and forced the Cody Parkey 44-yard field goal miss.
Wide receiver Jordan Matthews should have had that fourth-quarter pass from Bradford, which deflected off his hands and resulted in an interception and the Eagles loss.
The Ugly
Left guard Allen Barbre missed block on 2-and-10 at the Falcons' 43 in the first quarter. Notice linebacker Paul Worrilow shoot through untouched on a handoff to DeMarco Murray and almost catch him for a loss. That's because Barbre seemed to literally get out of Worrilow's way as he came crashing through the A-gap (between the guard and center). Later in the first half, Barbre and Andrew Gardner were called for penalties.
Kicker Cody Parkey's blown 44-yard field goal attempt with just over 2 minutes to play. Parkey had been shaky throughout the preseason