Philadelphia has improved to 2-0 for the second consecutive season and 18th time overall in franchise history (10th time since the 1970 NFL merger). This is also the fourth time the Eagles have started a season 2-0 in back-to-back years in franchise history, having previously accomplished the feat in 1946-47, 1980-81, and 1992-93.
Nick Sirianni owns a 25-11 career record with the Eagles, marking the highest regular-season winning percentage (.694) by a head coach in team history. It is also the 4th-highest mark by an NFL head coach since 2021, trailing only Andy Reid (.743, 26-9), Sean McDermott (.727, 24-9), and Mike McCarthy (.714, 25-10) in that category.
Philadelphia has won 19 of its last 20 regular-season games (.950) started by Jalen Hurts. Since 2021, Hurts’ .750 winning percentage (24-8) leads all NFL QBs.
The Eagles have produced the 4th-highest primetime winning percentage (.636, 21-12) in the NFL since 2016, behind Kansas City (.711, 27-11), Baltimore (.667, 16-8), and Pittsburgh (.645, 20-11). In that span, Philadelphia is 8-1 (.889) on Thursdays.
Including playoffs, the Eagles have won 11 of their last 14 home games (.786) against Minnesota. Overall, they lead the all-time series against the Vikings at 16-15.
EAGLES RUSH FOR 259 YARDS, INCLUDING CAREER HIGH FOR SWIFT
Philadelphia rushed for 259 yards and 3 TDs on 48 attempts, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. It was the 2nd-most rushing yards of the Nick Sirianni era (since 2021), behind a 363-yard performance on 11/27/22 vs. Green Bay. The Eagles’ leading rusher was newcomer D’Andre Swift, who totaled a career-high 175 yards in the win.
Swift’s 175-yard effort marked his fifth career game with 100+ rushing yards and was the most by an Eagle since LeSean McCoy on 12/8/13 (217 yards). Swift’s last 100+ yard game was on 9/11/22 vs. Philadelphia with Detroit (144 yards).
· Jalen Hurts combined for 3 total TDs, including 2 rushing TDs, in tonight’s victory.
o Hurts tied Cam Newton (10, 2011-21) for the most career games with multiple rushing TDs by a QB in NFL history. He joined Newton as the only QBs in league history to record 28 rushing TDs in their first 50 career games as well.
o Additionally, Hurts tied Donovan McNabb (28, 1999-2009) for the 8th-most rushing TDs in franchise history with his multi-TD performance.
SMITH LEADS PASSING ATTACK WITH 131 RECEIVING YARDS
Smith became the first Eagle to record multiple 50+ yard receptions in a single game since DeSan Jackson accomplished the feat on 9/8/19 vs. Washington.
Smith caught a 54-yard reception in the first quarter to set up a FG by Jake Elliott that gave the Eagles a 3-0 advantage early in the game. He also hauled in a 63-yard TD from Jalen Hurts during the third quarter to make it a 27-7 score.
ELLIOTT KICKS FRANCHISE-RECORD-TYING, 61-YARD FG
Jake Elliott tied his career high with a franchise-record, 61-yard FG (also 9/24/17 vs. N.Y. Giants) that gave the Eagles a 13-7 advantage heading into halftime.
Elliott is the fifth player in NFL history to record multiple 61+ yard FGs, joining Brett Maher (3), Sebastian Janikowski, Matt Prater, and Justin Tucker.
EAGLES RECORD 4 FORCED FUMBLES (3 DEFENSE, 1 SPECIAL TEAMS)
Philadelphia recorded 4 FFs in a game for the first time since 10/23/16 vs. Minnesota.
Justin Evans forced a special teams fumble against Vikings PR Brandon Powell that was recovered by Nicholas Morrow at the PHI 27. The takeaway marked Evans’ first forced fumble since 12/18/22 vs. Atlanta with New Orleans.
On the first play of Minnesota’s second series, Avonte Maddox forced a fumble against Vikings RB Alexander Mattison that was recovered by Justin Evans at the MIN 39. It was the first time Evans had a FF and FR in the same game.
With 0:33 remaining in the first half, Terrell Edmunds forced a fumble against Vikings WR Justin Jefferson at the goal line that resulted in a touchback that returned possession to Philadelphia protecting a 10-7 lead.
On the Vikings’ second play from scrimmage during the second half, Josh Sweat strip-sacked Vikings QB Kirk Cousins and the ball was recovered by Fletcher Cox at the MIN 7 to set up the Eagles with a goal-to-go situation.
MORE FROM THE GAME
Brandon Graham tied Harold Carmichael (180, 1971-83) for the 3rd-most regular-season games played in franchise history, trailing only David Akers (188, 1999-2010) and Brian Dawkins (183, 1996-2008) in that category. In addition, Fletcher Cox tied Brent Celek (175, 2007-17) for 6th place on the Eagles’ all-time list.
Jason Kelce started his 141st consecutive regular-season game, which marks the 2nd-longest active streak among all NFL players, trailing only Atlanta’s Jake Matthews (144). Kelce’s streak is the longest by an NFL center since Casey Wiegmann from 2001-11 (175). It is the 2nd-longest in team history, behind Jon Runyan (144, 2000-08).
Notebook supplied by Philadelphia Eagles Media Relations Department.
Assembled by Al Thompson
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com