KEY OFFENSIVE NOTES
Jalen Hurts capped a 6-play, 76-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard rushing TD (2nd of the season and 5th of his career) to make it a 13-15 score in the third quarter. Hurts has recorded either a passing TD or a rushing TD in 10 consecutive games dating back to the 2020 season.
Earlier on the drive, Hurts connected with Quez Watkins on a 53-yard completion. Watkins entered today’s game leading the NFL in receiving average.
Hurts again capped off a 4-play, 27-yard drive with a 6-yard rushing TD to give the Eagles their first lead of the game, 19-18, with 2:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.
It was Hurts’ first-career game-winning drive, as well as his first-career fourth-quarter comeback. The last time the Eagles came from behind to win in the final quarter was on 10/22/20 vs. N.Y. Giants when they came back from 4 to seal the victory, 22-21
DeVonta Smith grabbed Hurts’ pass in the back of the endzone on the two-point conversion to extend the lead, 21-18, giving Philadelphia its second successful two-point conversion this season.
KEY DEFENSIVE NOTES
Darius Slay intercepted Panthers QB Sam Darnold at the CAR 25 and returned it 10 yards to the CAR 15 on Carolina’s second possession. The takeaway, which marked the 21st INT of Slay’s career, set up a 30-yard FG by Jake Elliott to tie the game, 3-3, in the first quarter.
Slay picked off Darnold again in the third quarter, marking his third-career game with multiple INTs and his first such performance since 12/16/17 vs. Chicago with Detroit.
Slay became the first Eagle to register 2 INTs in a single game since Jordan Hicks on 1/1/17 vs. Dallas. In addition, he became the first Eagles CB to accomplish the feat since Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on 9/9/12 vs. Cleveland.
Javon Hargrave sacked Darnold for a 9-yard loss on third-and-4 in the second quarter, marking his 6th sack of the season (leads all NFL DTs). Hargrave is the first Eagle to record 6.0+ sacks through five games since Jason Babin in 2011 (7.0). He is also just the fifth NFL DT to do so since 2000, joining Aaron Donald in 2020 (7.5), Geno Atkins in 2018 (6.0) and 2012 (6.0), La’Roi Glover in 2000 (6.0) and Warren Sapp in 2000 (6.5).
Hargrave’s 6.0 sacks are the most by a DT through the first 5 games of the season in Eagles history.
Fletcher Cox sacked Darnold for a 3-yard loss on third-and-5 in the third quarter. He now has 55.5 career sacks, which are the most ever by an Eagles DT. Overall, he ranks 5th on the franchise’s all-time sacks list, trailing only Reggie White (124.0, 1985-92), Trent Cole (85.5, 2005-14), Clyde Simmons (76.0, 1986-93) and Brandon Graham (59.0).
Steven Nelson iced the game for Philadelphia with an INT of Darnold at the 1:57 mark of the fourth quarter – the third INT of the day for the Eagles. It is the first time that Philadelphia has posted 3 INTs in one game since picking off Falcons QB Matt Ryan three times on 9/15/19 at Atlanta. It is Nelson’s first INT since registering two against former Eagles QB Carson Wentz on 10/11/20 at Pittsburgh.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
The Eagles have now won 4 of their last 5 matchups in Carolina, dating back to 11/3/03.
Jake Elliott connected on a 58-yard FG to cut the deficit, 6-15, at the end of the second quarter. His 58-yard FG was the 3rd-longest in Eagles history, trailing only his 61-yard FG on 9/24/17 vs. N.Y. Giants and Tony Franklin’s 59-yard FG on 11/12/79 at Dallas. Including playoffs, Elliott owns the 2nd-most 50+ yard FGs (12) in team history, behind David Akers (16, 1999-2010).
T.J. Edwards blocked Panthers P Joseph Charlton’s punt with 4:00 remaining in the fourth quarter to set the Eagles up on the CAR 27. It is Philadelphia’s first blocked punt since Kamu Grugier-Hill blocked one by Giants P Brad Wing on 12/17/17 at N.Y. Giants.
Notebook supplied by the Philadelphia Eagles.