8/12 Game Recap: Eagles lose to Jets 24-21 (preseason)

Preseason Results… Don’t matter, What does matter is the performance of your players and the results you see from your guys on the field. Specifically, your young players looking to make a name for themselves in the league, or at the least fill a roster spot. And last night we saw a lot from guys all up and down the depth chart. Whether it's a 10-year Vet or UDFA from a D 3 college, these preseason games can mean the difference between having a job or not for possible the rest of their lives. Though it may not be the most entertaining Football these games tell us a whole lot, and I'm about to let you know exactly what last night's game showed Eagles fans…

The buildup to the first preseason game especially when it's at home is always exciting. Though it may just be exhibition play, this marks the return of Football, and not just any Football, Eagles Football. A slew of players entered the pregame injury report including starting Guard Landon Dickerson and Wide receiver Greg Ward who will be fighting for a roster spot. The young Cam Jurgens filled in for an injured Jason Kelce along with Sua Opeta who was in for Dickerson on the first line. The game started out great with Jalen Hurts marching the 1st team all the way down the field on a 6-play drive that was capped off by an amazing Dallas Godert catch as he plowed his way through defenders on his way to the endzone. The drive of course couldn't come without a scare as Jalen Hurts was stood up and hit out of bounds by Jets Linebacker Quincy Williams. This resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty and caused Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni to get quite heated on the Bird's sideline, so much so that he made it almost to midfield before being pulled back. The Eagles D looked just as good as it was hyped up to be on its first drive as a unit. Putting constant pressure on Jets QB Zach Wilson and eventually forcing an Interception by Kyzir White. White; has made a great case for a starting linebacker spot this summer and has continued to back it up with even more strong play.

From then on out it was the backups, the 2nd team offense headlined by Gardener Minshew took the field for the second drive. Minshew looked good marching the Birds all the way down the field and handing off to one Jason Huntley who pounded it in from one yard out. Huntley; is another guy who has made a strong case this summer and will most likely be the 3rd or 4th back on the roster this season. The Eagles D continued its strong play, making a huge red zone stop and forcing the Jets to kick a field goal making it 14-3 in the 2nd. The next drive was kicked off by a Britain Covey kick return up to the 25. Covey, a UDFA out of Utah has been a main cog in pushing Jalen Reagor this summer. He took the majority of the kick returns last night while Reagor mainly managed the punt returns. Speaking of Jalen Reagor, Gardner Minshew would look his way 3 times in a row on the proceeding drive, Reagor would go 2 for 3 after getting one deflected away. Gardener Minshew, despite reportedly having a rough camp for the Birds, had a good showing last night going 8/12 for 81 yards. He looked calm and composed in the pocket, making smart throws and using his legs effectively when needed. As the 3rd teamers began to creep onto the field as the 2nd quarter slugged on, the defense got sloppier I saw multiple lapses in coverage on the outside and struggles with keeping the runner in front of the defender. Besides a tipped pass by Tarron Jackson who has had a great camp for the Birds thus far, the 3rd team looked lackluster to start.

The first play of the 2nd half proved to be a good one, as Shaun Bradley would stuff the Jets running back, beginning a drive that would end 3 plays later with a punt for New York. Reid Sinnett would make his Eagles debut at the beginning of the 3rd quarter for the Birds but would go 3 and out and turn the ball back to the Jets who would make the best of it converting for a Touchdown that would make it 14-10 Eagles. The rest of the 3rd quarter proved to be a slop fest as neither team could seem to get much of anything going. The Eagle's defense looked like the Butter to the Jets knife in the 4th quarter allowing them to seemingly walk down the field and score on the first drive. After a long grueling drive for the Birds where Nick Sirianni elected to go for it on 4th down instead of tying the game at 17. The Eagles would score, taking the late lead with 2 minutes to go at 21-17. But after a big return on the kickoff, the Jets would once again march downfield and score taking the lead with 30 seconds to go. Despite a valiant effort for a lateral on the final play of the game, the Eagles would lose the preseason opener 24-21.

Like I said to start, it's not about how your team necessarily does in the preseason so much as how it's about how particular players do. The Eagles despite losing this game to a sorry New York Jets squad, had some good showings from some key guys tonight. They also saw some plays from guys who may not be just ready for an NFL field, all together I'd tally this one up as a good well played game for the Birds. They will be right back on the practice field tomorrow where they will prepare for another preseason matchup with the Cleveland Browns next week.