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| Sproles had a monster night for Philly. Photo Credit: Michael Perez/AP |
The Eagles rode their jack of all trades player in Darren Sproles, a strong run game and a Nick Foles late TD pass to a thrilling 30-27 comeback win over the Colts on Monday night to go to 2-0 on the young season.
By: Michael Hanley
Philadelphia's defense, which had its troubles all night long, came up with a huge INT late in the forth quarter off of Andrew Luck to setup their improbable comeback win. Their was some controversy with it though as Luck's throw went to a player who was contacted by an Eagles defender right by the five yard limit to where defenders can make contact with an offensive player. The refs did throw a flag on that play and the interception by Malcolm Jenkins stood.
Eagles took that swing of momentum and drove down the field, courtesy of the 51 yard run by Darren Sproles, which allowed them to set up the game tying score at the time, a six yard TD pass from Foles to WR Jeremy Maclin and even the score at 27.That would be just one of the many big plays Sproles made for Philly as he totaled 178 yards on the night in his various roles.
Eagles defense rose again and got the Colts off the field in a quick three plays and got the ball right back to their offense, The offense went down the field methodically and using up all but :03 seconds of game clock to set up a field goal attempt. They brought in their kicker Cody Parkley, who nailed the 36 yard field field goal to net his first game winning field goal of his young NFL career.
The Colts had control of this game for most of the night. They had a 20-6 lead in this game in the second half. Andrew Luck was in rhythm, hitting his open targets & getting great protection from his offensive line, which was holding the Eagles pass rush in check all game long despite the various looks of blitzes they presented to the Colts offensive line.
Indianapolis was even getting steady production out of their backfield with Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw, who combined to rush for 149 yards on 34 attempts.
Indianapolis' offense though would run into trouble in the second half. Outside of the one late touchdown drive by them, they could not sustain the same pace and rhythm they had going in the first half, which really had the Eagles defense gassed at times trying to cover the Colts WRs and TEs.
One particular drive late in the forth quarter after the Eagles had tied the game summed up the lack of cohesion as they quickly went three and out on two conservative run play and an in completion. Andrew Luck finished up 20/34 for 172 yards, three touch downs and on interception.
The Colts defense did succumb to the no huddle, high tempo offense of the Eagles, especially in the second half as they could not stay disciplined in their assignments, which allowed Philly to use their lethal run game with McCoy and Sproles, who both carved up the Colts defense to the tune of 106 yards combined on 24 carries. The balance of the Eagles offense led to some wide open receivers for Foles to throw to and he took full advantage and ended up 21/37 for 331 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 INT.
This is only the third time in the last 25 years the Eagle shave started 2-0. This also was a first for Andrew Luck as in losing back to back regular season games for the first time in his career.
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