Monday Night Football at Lincoln Financial Field The Philadelphia Eagles returned to their home turf at Lincoln Financial Field for a Monday Night Football matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. After a thrilling back-and-forth game, the Falcons narrowly beat the Eagles 22-21.
First Quarter: Defense Dominates Early
- Eagles’ First Drive: The Eagles were forced to punt, pinning the Falcons at their own 8-yard line.
- Falcons‘ Response: After a few short gains by Bijan Robinson, the Eagles’ defense held strong, forcing a punt.
- Eagles’ Offense: Saquon Barkley shone with 39 rushing yards on the second drive but a failed 4th-and-4 attempt ended the scoring opportunity.
- Missed Opportunities: Both teams struggled to score, and the quarter ended without points.
Second Quarter: Eagles Take the Lead
- Falcons Strike First: A 15-yard run by Tyler Allgeier set up a 39-yard field goal from Younghoe Koo. (Falcons 3, Eagles 0)
- Eagles Answer Back: Jalen Hurts connected with DeVonta Smith for an 18-yard gain, followed by a 7-yard touchdown pass to Smith. (Eagles 7, Falcons 3)
- Falcons Close the Gap: A penalty pushed the Falcons back, but Bijan Robinson’s 14-yard run helped set up another Koo field goal just before halftime. (Eagles 7, Falcons 6)
Third Quarter: Falcons Take Control
- Falcons Drive: The Falcons started strong after halftime, relying on Robinson to move down the field. Another field goal by Koo gave them the lead. (Falcons 9, Eagles 7)
- Eagles’ Response: Hurts found Smith for key gains, setting up a 29-yard field goal by Jake Elliott to reclaim the lead. (Eagles 10, Falcons 9)
- Falcons Touchdown: A 4th-and-4 conversion led to a 42-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Darnell Mooney. (Falcons 15, Eagles 10)
Fourth Quarter: Late Drama
- Eagles Rally: The Eagles used their signature “tush push” play to convert a 4th-and-1, followed by a Barkley touchdown and 2-point conversion. (Eagles 18, Falcons 15)
- Key Defensive Stop: C.J. Gardner-Johnson stopped Robinson on a 4th-and-1, giving the Eagles the ball with 5:38 left.
- Late Field Goal: The Eagles extended their lead with a 28-yard field goal by Elliott. (Eagles 21, Falcons 15)
- Falcons’ Final Push: Cousins led a quick drive, connecting with Drake London for a 7-yard touchdown. After a penalty on London, Koo’s extra point gave the Falcons the lead. (Falcons 22, Eagles 21)
- Eagles’ Final Attempt: Hurts moved the Eagles downfield, but a deep pass intended for Smith was intercepted by Jesse Bates, sealing the win for Atlanta.
Key Stats
- Passing Leaders:
- PHI: Jalen Hurts – 23/30 for 183 yards, 1 TD
- ATL: Kirk Cousins – 20/29 for 241 yards, 2 TDs
- Rushing Leaders:
- PHI: Saquon Barkley – 22 carries, 95 yards
- ATL: Bijan Robinson – 14 carries, 97 yards
- Receiving Leaders:
- PHI: DeVonta Smith – 7 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD
- ATL: Darnell Mooney – 3 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD
- Tackle Leaders:
- PHI: Reed Blankenship – 9 tackles
- ATL: Jesse Bates, A.J. Terrell – 7 tackles each
Post-Game Reactions
The Falcons emerged victorious in a tight contest, overcoming the Eagles with a last-minute touchdown. The game showcased strong performances from key players on both sides, but mistakes and missed opportunities ultimately cost the Eagles.