The Eagles' Good, Bad & Ugly: Eagles 35 Patriots 28
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There was a lot to like, some things to dislike and again much to wonder about when it comes to the future of this team after a stunning 35-28 upset over the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
The Good
Running back Darren Sproles' 83-yard punt return for a touchdown with 4:18 left in the third quarter. Sproles rushed for a team-high 66 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Safety Malcolm Jenkins 100-yard interception return with 7:26 to play in the third quarter gave the Eagles their first lead of the game.
Safety Walter Thurman's deflection of Tom Brady's pass, which wound up in Malcolm Jenkins' hands. Thurman actually interfered with Danny Amendola making contact with him, but Brady threw low, and Thurman managed to get his right hand on the ball, batting it up for Jenkins to grab it and return it 100 yards for the Eagles' go-ahead score.
Receiver Riley Cooper batting the Pats' on-side kick out of bounds after closing to within 35-28.
Safety Chris Maragos blocked punt with :08 left in the half, which set up Najee Goode's 24-yard blocked punt touchdown return that tied the game at 14-14. Maragos is one of the unsung heroes of this dismal season and continues to play hard. It was the first blocked punt New England allowed in 97 games, dating back to its game against the New York Jets on Nov. 22, 2009. Maragos again made a huge play later in the game, on Darren Sproles' 83-yard punt return with 4:18 left in the third quarter with a block, by just standing in the way.
Linebacker Najee Goode made good picking up the Chris Maragos blocked punt and returned it 24 yards for a tying touchdown with :08 left.
Receiver Seyi Ajirotutu did something unlike many Eagles recently, and that's make an alert play midway through the second quarter. Bill Belichick's scheme of a drop kick backfired, when Ajirotutu jumped on the ball at the Eagles' 41, after the Pats went up 14-0. Ajirotutu's recovery gave the Eagles their best field position of the game at the time and led to their first score.
Tight end Zach Ertz diving 5-yard touchdown catch in the back of the end zone from Sam Bradford with 4:04 left in the half.
The Bad
Seven first half penalties for 92 yards—including two holding calls on Jason Peters.
The Ugly
Ertz fumbling away the Pats' on-side kick after New England pulled within 35-21 with 5:27 left to play.
Linebacker Kiki Alonzo fell and looked like he was somewhere else other than at Gillette Stadium when Brady hit James White for a 25-yard reception on fourth-and-12 at the Eagles' 47. The play gave New England new life and aided them to get within 35-28.
Running back Kenjon Barner's fumble at the New England 28 with 1:02 left to play. It almost wasted a great effort by the Eagles.