Sunday, November 23, 2014
Eagles tune up for Thanksgiving with sloppy win over Titans
Philadelphia, PA -- The Philadelphia Eagles bounced back from a blowout loss with their seventh 30-point game of the season.
And while it wasn't a classic thrashing of a lesser opponent as an appetizer to the main course this week, it will do just fine.
LeSean McCoy led the way in Philadelphia's 10th consecutive regular-season home win, a 43-24 decision over the Tennessee Titans -- Philly's first win over the franchise since it relocated from Houston following the 1996 season.
McCoy carried the ball 21 times for 130 yards and a score for the Eagles (8-3), who rebounded from last Sunday's 53-20 defeat at Green Bay. Darren Sproles rushed for 25 yards and one touchdown on six carries.
Mark Sanchez completed 30-of-43 passes for 307 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Philadelphia, which will play at Dallas on Thanksgiving in a highly-anticipated NFC East matchup.
Jordan Matthews caught six passes for 77 yards for the Eagles, who improved to 7-0 this season against teams .500 or worse. Cody Parkey made 5-of-6 field goals.
"I think our attention was totally on Tennessee because we only get to play one game per week, so there was nothing else to look for other than getting ready for (the Titans). I think these guys have done a great job of staying in the moment and playing a good game," said Eagles coach Chip Kelly.
Zach Mettenberger connected on 20-of-39 passes for 345 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for the Titans (2-9), who have lost five in a row.
Delanie Walker caught five passes for a career-high 155 yards for Tennessee, which lost left tackle Taylor Lewan to an ankle injury. Justin Hunter caught four passes for 64 yards and a score.
The Eagles quickly put the loss to the Packers behind them as rookie wide receiver Josh Huff returned the opening kickoff 107 yards for a touchdown. It was Huff's first career touchdown and the longest kickoff return in franchise history besting the previous record set by Timmy Brown (105 yards) in 1961 against Cleveland.
After forcing a three-and-out, Philadelphia started from its own 49. McCoy carried the ball four times for 31 yards before Sproles scored from four yards out. Parkey added a 36-yard field goal to make it 17-0 with 3:25 left in the first quarter.
"That's not the way you want to start the game off," said Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt. "It's tough. But to get down 17-0, I thought we made a good recovery in the second quarter."
The Titans used a big defensive play to take some momentum away from the Eagles. Sanchez was picked off by Brandon Ghee at the Philadelphia 30. On 2nd- and-20, Hunter caught a deflected pass and raced into the end zone for a 40- yard score.
The Eagles had to settle for another field goal on their next possession, as Parkey made a 26-yarder with 11:29 left in the second quarter. McCoy set up the field goal with a 53-yard run.
Tennessee responded with another touchdown to keep it close. Walker's 68-yard catch-and-run moved the ball to the Philadelphia 13. The drive was kept alive when Vinny Curry got a piece of Mettenberger's face mask on third down. Shonn Greene capped the march with a 2-yard TD run.
The Eagles came back with a 10-play, 69-yard drive that McCoy capped with a 2- yard TD run. Riley Cooper caught a 21-yard pass on third down prior to the score, which made it 27-14.
Ryan Succop made a 20-yard field goal on the next Tennessee possession. Parkey missed a 49-yard field goal before the half to snap his successful streak at 17.
The Eagles pulled away early in the second half. Mettenberger's pass was deflected at the line and center Brian Schwenke caught the ball and started running. But Schwenke fumbled and Philadelphia
recovered.
The home team capitalized as James Casey caught a 14-yard TD pass.
Parkey kicked field goals of 30, 35 and 50 yards in the fourth quarter. Tennessee's Dexter McCluster had a 6-yard TD catch in the final frame.
Notes: The Eagles snapped a four-game skid against the Titans after having won all six meetings with the franchise when it was located in Houston ... Bishop Sankey carried the ball 10 times for 37 yards for the Titans ... Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho left the game with a groin injury and did not return ... Andrew Gardner started at right guard, the eighth different starting offensive line combination for the Eagles in 11 games this year.
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