Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Jets: Live Updates, Highlights: Philly Loses Defensive Struggle
At the outset of the 2023 season, Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Jets was a reasonable prediction for the two teams that would meet in Super Bowl LVIII. And then four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers tore his left achilles in Week 1, likely dashing any hopes of the Jets being able to make a deep run this season.
Nonetheless, the defending-NFC Champion Eagles are off to a 5-0 start for the second consecutive season, and the Jets -- a franchise that Philadelphia is 12-0 against all time -- stand in their way of moving to 6-0, as they vie for the top seed in the postseason.
The Eagles will not see Rodgers today, with the polarizing Zach Wilson again under center for the 2-3 Jets. Additionally, former first-round picks Sauce Gardner (concussion) and Alijah Vera-Tucker (torn achilles) will also be out for coach Robert Saleh's snake-bitten Jets squad.
Still, as coach Nick Sirianni, quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles look to remain undefeated, they need to take care of the Jets, a team they are 6.5-point road favorites against. As they look to keep pace with the San Francisco 49ers at the top of the conference, it's important that the Eagles bank as many wins as possible. It will also be imperative that Philadelphia doesn't look ahead to a Sunday Night Football matchup with the Miami Dolphins next weekend, which will feature the long-awaited return of Kelly Green uniforms.
You can follow along throughout this afternoon's game for the latest live updates and highlights of this matchup between the Eagles and Jets.
First Quarter
Defensive Drive 1: The Eagles won the opening kickoff and then deferred to the second half. While the Jets would record one first down, they were forced to punt after a five-play, 13-yard drive stalled.
Offensive Drive 1: Hurts kept the opening drive alive early with the excellent play (above), ultimately guiding the Eagles 91 yards on 19 plays, and scoring a touchdown -- which was initially ruled him being down at the one-yard line -- on fourth-and-goal, seen below.
Second Quarter
Defensive Drive 2: A Greg Zuerlein 43-yard field goal got the Jets on the board, capping off an 11-play, 50-yard drive.
Offensive Drive 2: On third-and-long, the Eagles attempted to set up a screen for tight end Dallas Goedert. Pass rusher Jermaine Johnson knocked the ball loose from Goedert's grasp, and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams picked it off.
Defensive Drive 4: Wilson connected with tight end Tyler Conklin on fourth-and-five, but linebacker Zach Cunningham tackle him a yard shy of the first down marker. That was a nice recovery from the Eagles after the strange interception.
Offensive Drive 4: Hurts and Brown failed to connect on what would have been a long touchdown to open the drive, but the duo would later combine for a 49-yard touchdown. Running back D'Andre Swift then cleaned up a throw from Hurts and managed to bounce off a defender, scoring a nine-yard touchdown.
Defensive Drive 5: With Jalen Carter out with an ankle injury, his fellow former Georgia Bulldog Jordan Davis recorded a third-down sack of Wilson (with some help from Brandon Graham), forcing the Jets to settle for a 42-yard field goal.
Offensive Drive 5: Quincy Williams -- the older brother of Quinnen -- recovered a Swift fumble, which was forced on a peanut punch by linebacker C.J. Mosley.
Defensive Drive 6: Zuerlin kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. FOX announcer Kevin Kugler pointed out that this was the first time that an opponent scored points following an Eagles turnover.
Third Quarter
Offensive Drive 6: DeVonta Smith whiffed on a perfect pas by Hurts on first-and-15 from the New York 49-yard line, before Hurts was sacked for an eight-yard loss on second down. Braden Mann would eventually punt the ball away 41 yards, pinning the Jets inside their own 10-yard line.
Defensive Drive 7: An illegal blindside block on receiver Allen Lazard pushed the Jets out of field goal range, and forced them to punt the ball back to the Eagles. Britain Covey called for a fair catch at the seven yard line of the Eagles.
Offensive Drive 7: While Hurts was able to evade a sack on third down, the Eagles punted the ball away after a three-and-out.
Defensive Drive 8: A Haason Reddick sack on second-and-five at the Eagles eight-yard line helped to keep the Jets from scoring a touchdown, but they did add another field goal, a 38-yarder from Zuerlein.
Fourth Quarter
Offensive Drive 8: A once-promising drive ended with Jets cornerback Bryce Hall picking off Hurts after the aforementioned Johnson hit Hurts' elbow as he attempted to throw the ball into New York territory.
Defensive Drive 9: Edge rusher Josh Sweat sacked Wilson to open the drive, and the Jets were ultimately forced to punt the ball away after a three-and-out.
Offensive Drive 9: Hurts connected with Brown for a 36-yard reception, but was ultimately sacked on third-and-six. Kicker Jake Elliott has been money for pretty much the entirety of the season, but he pulled a 37-yard attempt wide right.
Defensive Drive 10: To their credit, the Eagles defense has been tremendous in Week 6. Reddick again pressured Wilson on third-and-seven, combining with defensive tackle Milton Williams for a sack.
Offensive Drive 10: Hurts was picked off on third-and-nine at Philadelphia's 46-yard line by safety Tony Adams after Hurts stared down Goedert.
Defensive Drive 11: The Eagles allowed Breece Hall to rush for an eight-yard touchdown, hoping to get the ball back. Wilson connected with veteran wideout Randall Cobb for a two-point conversion.
Offensive Drive 11: Hurts wasn't able to connect with Smith deep on fourth-and-eight, forcing a turnover on downs. For the first time this season, the Eagles have been defeated. For the first time ever, the Jets have beaten the Eagles.