Deja Vu? Same Team, Same Situation, Same Result. Eagles Are 1-0

Wow. What a day in the City of Brotherly Love. A day that will be marked in Philadelphia and Eagles history. Today was the day that the Eagles raised their first ever Super Bowl banner to the rafters at Lincoln Financial Field. However, like the years and years of waiting for the team’s first Super Bowl win, tonight started off with a delay.




Due to mother nature, the game and the Eagles celebration was moved back 30 minutes. But, it never rained a drop at the Linc like how the Falcons tried to rain on the Eagles parade. However, NBCSports Philadelphia would have the last laugh on that one…

 

 

But, that would not be the only jab they would get in on the Falcons tonight.




In a weird and oddly similar way, tonight’s game was like watching the playoff game from last season against the very Falcons. The first half was sloppy. Both teams made too many mistakes that cost them points and precious field in the 1st half. Very similar to the first half in the playoff game. Thats not the only deja vu on the night.

 

Coming out of half-time, the Eagles took over the game. The offense started slow, but the defense continued their strong play. The same reason they were kept in the game last January. After a punt by both teams, the Eagles finally put a sustained drive together capped off by a Jay Ayaji 1-yard touchdown run.

 

Then, much like the first half, it became a punt battle. However, the punt battled showed the Eagles have a real gem on their hands to replace the legend, Donnie “Bag Of Bones” Jones. But, it would be the forgotten about corner that would make the next turning point.




Rasual Douglas, who played extremely well as a rookie, was forgotten about during training camp and many believed he wouldn’t make the team. But, with star corner, Ronald Darby, off the field on a long 3rd down for rest, Douglas lined up opposite of Falcons star Julio Jones. However, it would be Douglas who would make the play and pick off Falcons QB Matt Ryan.

 

The Eagles would then get unlucky on a pass to rookie tight-end Dallas Goedert. Foles pass hit Goedert in the hands and he looked like he was going to come down with it. But, a big hit from a Falcons safety jarred the ball skyward for an easy interception. The Falcons interception led to a quick Falcons touchdown to take the lead.

 

However, when the Eagles needed a 4th quarter drive to win the game, Nick Foles came through once again. Foles lead the Eagles on a 8-play 54 yard drive to take the lead. Jay Ayaji scored his 2nd touchdown on the night by the way of a 11-yard rush this time.




Now, is where the game got oddly too similar that it looked like a replay of the playoff game. Needing a touchdown, the Falcons drove the ball all the way down the field into the red-zone. In even more weirdness, the game came down to the same play. In January, it was a pass break-up to Juilo Jones by Jalen Mills. Tonight, it was a pass break-up to Julio Jones by Ronald Darby.

 

What a night. What a game. What a win. Even through the slop, the Eagles fought through adversity and came out victorious. The Eagles start their title defense with a 18-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

 

And, remember how I said NBCSports Philadelphia wasn’t done poking fun at the Falcons. Well, this is what they had to say after the game…



 

God, I love this city and this team. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, THE BIRDS ARE 1-0.



By Brandon Sommermann | September 7, 2018