Jalen Hurts Injury, Darius Slay Takeaway, A.J. Brown History: Philadelphia Eagles Over Dolphins Notebook
PHILADELPHIA - Perhaps it's the time of year but plenty of Philadelphia Eagles fans were a little spooked while picturing the high-powered Miami Dolphins racing up and down Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night.
The reality of this Halloween season was that the Eagles were the proven commodity and the Dolphins were a team building a reputation on the have-nots of the NFL, amassing nearly 500 yards per game and 37-plus points against a schedule loaded with the league's worst like Denver, the New York Giants, and Carolina.
The one time the Dolphins played an upper-echelon team at Buffalo, the result was only 20 points and a four-touchdown loss.
Miami had more to prove in a battle of 5-1 teams although the Eagles were smarting after their first loss to an underwhelming New York Jets team.
In the end, the Philadelphia defense allowed just 10 points and 244 yards en route to a 31-17 win, turning the fear into a party-like atmosphere.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, have lost by a combined six TDs to two teams that are real contenders in Philly and Buffalo.
BOILING IT DOWN If any NFL game could be boiled down to one aspect, this was it. The Eagles' talented defensive front dominated the undermanned Miami offensive line for the first 25-or-so minutes of the game and Philadelphia was cruising with a 17-3 edge and allowing less than 50 total yards of offense.
As the Dolphins adjusted a bit and held up, the Eagles secondary couldn't deal with Tyreek Hill but the finish was closer to the start with Hasson Reddick, Josh Sweat, and Co. speeding up Tua Tagovailoa to oblivion.
Philadelphia limited Miami’s offense to season lows in points scored (17), total yards (244), passing yards (199), rushing yards (45) and time of possession (23:17).
THE TUSH PUSH DRIVE The rest of the league needs 10 yards over three downs to avoid fourth-down peril. The Eagles only need nine yards because the final one is assured with the "Tush Push" or "Brotherly Shove," whichever you prefer.
Peter King's favorite play isn't the most aesthetic thing in the world but you can set your watch to it.
Down 24-17, the Dolphins stopped the Eagles at their own 26-yard line a yard short of a first down and Nick Sirianni ordered the punting team on the field before reassessing and calling a timeout with 10:01 remaining.
Jalen Hurts plowed forward for two yards and on went the dive. The same thing happened on the next set of downs with Miami's desperation growing, Hurts body surfed for another new set.
The will was drained for the Miami defense and when Kenny Gainwell twisted and turned for a three-yard TD run on the 13th play, the Eagles not only regained their two-touchdown lead, they used 6:35 to do it.
"It's first-and-nine every down. Every first down," head coach Nick Sirianni said of his advantage. "Knowing that if you get to fourth-and-one, shoot, a lot of faith in that play."
Hurts did his thing, by the way, despite having to don a knee brace in the second half to help with an issue that he'd entered the game with.
Hurts said he feels “fine,'' and when asked about any knee issue going forward said, “I hope not.”
A.J. TIES C.J. A.J. Brown dominated yet again with 10 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown, his fifth straight game over 125 yards, matching the NFL record set by former Detroit Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson.
Like Johnson, Brown is a physical marvel combining prodigious size with amazing athleticism.
"A.J. is a phenomenal player," Sirianni said. "He just has this unbelievable ability to come down with the football. Nobody catches the ball as pretty as A.J. Brown. I am just in awe of good wide receivers and the skill that they have. Nobody goes and snags the football like him. Nobody I have seen."
YOUNG DBs PERSEVERE Rookie third-round pick Sydney Brown started his first NFL game at safety and undrafted rookie Eli Ricks plenty of work at slot corner against the league's best offense on paper.
Both held up very well with the help of Philadelphia's imposing defensive front and the confidence gained against playing well against this tyoe of challenge shouldn't be understated.
SLAY-ING THE TURNOVER DROUGHT The Eagles hadn't produced a turnover since the second quarter of the Tampa Bay game in Week 3 until Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay peeled off his man to intercept Tagovailoa's attempt at a wheel route to Raheem Mostert in the fourth quarter.
The Dolphins were down 24-17 and threatening to tie the game at the Eagles' 24-yard line when Slay essentially snuffed out their final hopes with a savvy play.
"Slay has it all, right. Football IQ, athletic ability. I can't tell you how good of a leader Darius Slay is," Sirianni said. "I'm so glad he's on this football team, that he's a captain, because he works at it."
