Week 1 Game Recap: Philadelphia Eagles 10, Atlanta Falcons 14

What you need to know

Philadelphia Eagles

LB Jeremiah Trotter was ejected before the game after scuffling with DB Kevin Mathis. Each player was reported to have thrown punches and grabbed facemasks after squaring off at midfield and verbally challenging each other. Shortly after this incident groups of players from each team gathered at midfield for more jawing and what appeared to be a mosh-pit style dance off. Emotions were running at a fevered pitch before kickoff.

QB Donovan McNabb took a big hit to the sternum in the first quarter and it may have affected the rest of his game. He was shown attempting to stretch it out on the sidelines in obvious discomfort. McNabb was uncharacteristically off target throwing many balls short. He was under a heavy rush for most of the game and took several more big hits.

WR Terrell Owens and QB Donovan McNabb appear to have put their differences well behind them and played like professionals. McNabb targeted Owens on 19 pass plays during the game.

Atlanta Falcons

QB Michael Vick struggled with his passing accuracy, but more than made up for it with his legs yet again. The Falcons ran specific running plays designed to get Vick to the outside with RB Warrick Dunn leading the way as a blocker. These were particularly effective.

TE Alge Crumpler remains Vick’s number one receiving option (11 targets), but Michael Jenkins appears to be the number one deep option in the Falcon’s passing game. Jenkins led the Falcon wide outs with 4 targets.

RB Warrick Dunn looked quick and accelerated well into holes. RB TJ Duckett looked sluggish and hesitant hitting holes. However, Duckett received all short yardage and goal line carries including a one yard TD in the first quarter and a five yard TD in the fourth quarter that was nullified by penalty.

What you ought to know

QB Donovan McNabb, Pass: 24 - 45 - 257 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

McNabb took a monster hit to the chest from DT Chad Lavalais in the first quarter. McNabb let fly with a deep ball to WR Terrell Owens on the play, but the pressure forced him to come up a bit short and the pass was intercepted by CB DeAngelo Hall. McNabb had a difficult time getting off the ground and was attended to by trainers immediately on the sidelines. He’ll have further examination of the ribs but all reports now are that he’ll play week 2. It was difficult to ascertain how much the injury affected his passing accuracy and might explain his reluctance to leaving the pocket and scramble up field for yards. McNabb’s lone passing TD was on a quick out to RB Brian Westbrook in the flat. McNabb was credited for two fumbles in the game. The first was on a screen play that was a lateral to RB Brian Westbrook. It was a terrible decision to even throw the pass as it was well covered. The other came on a three-step drop where McNabb held the ball far too long allowing DE Patrick Kearney to come clean off the end and hit him from the blind side. Also of note, McNabb was 0 for five in the first half in converting third down opportunities.

RB Brian Westbrook, Rush: 12 - 47 - 0, Rec: 7 - 64 - 1 (10 targets)

The Eagles had a tough time getting Westbrook on track. He had accounted for 0 total yards at the end of the first quarter rushing and receiving. However, Westbrook did draw a pass interference call on LB Keith Brooking as they were matched up one on one. Westbrook also scored his touchdown in the left flat off a short pass in the same situation. Other than two long runs in the game (17 and 23 yards) Westbrook was shut down, but didn’t have much room to run. He was hit in the backfield on several carries. Westbrook was targeted many times in the red zone as the Eagles worked to get him matched up with linebackers. As it was last season, Westbrook did the bulk of his damage as a receiving threat.

RB Josh Parry, Rec: 1 - 1 - 0 (1 targets)

The Eagle’s fullback caught his only target on a third and long play. Parry was the outlet after McNabb had checked down through his progression.

WR Terrell Owens, Rec: 7 - 112 - 0 (19 targets)

Owens and McNabb left little doubt as to who the number one receiving option is for the Eagles. Owens started slowly catching only two of his first six targets. Things improved during the middle of the game when he pulled in five out of seven targets as he and McNabb appeared to be in more of a groove. However, during the fourth quarter as the Eagles attempted to come from behind, McNabb and Owens failed to connect on their last six targets. McNabb’s lone interception was on an under thrown deep ball towards Owens. CB DeAngelo Hall made a much better adjustment to the ball and picked it off. Owens also had one obvious drop on an out route that him square in the hands. Owens and McNabb were shown warming up together before the game and appeared to be communicating at the very least on a professional level.

WR Greg Lewis, Rec: 5 - 44 - 0 (9 targets)

Lewis started opposite WR Terrell Owens. His seven yard reception on third and three during the Eagles final drive was a nice reception. He was hit immediately as he caught the ball but hung on to keep the drive alive.

WR Reggie Brown, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (3 targets)

Brown was the Eagles’ third receiver, but didn’t see much action. His lone reception came on a second and ten play late in the game. Brown did catch another pass, but it was called back due to an offensive penalty.

TE L.J. Smith, Rec: 3 - 29 - 0 (5 targets)

During the pre-game color commentator John Madden discussed a conversation with head coach Andy Reid. Reid described his playbook as having WR Terrell Owens as the player with the most dedicated plays. RB Brian Westbrook was second, and Smith was third on his list. Smith was used sparingly in this game, but was the only Philadelphia tight end to be targeted.

PK David Akers 1 - 3 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points

Akers missed a pair of 49 yard field goal attempts in the game. Both were just barely wide right. He recovered hitting a 44 yard attempt late in the game.

PHI Rush Defense

Philadelphia did a nice job of bottling up RB TJ Duckett in the middle of the field, but was torched by RB Warrick Dunn. Dunn was especially effective running off right tackle. DE Jevon Kearse was pushed around and ineffective at the point of attack on several plays run directly at him. LB Mike Labinjo filled in for the ejected Jeremiah Trotter. Labinjo recorded three tackles in the game including catching RB Warrick Dunn for a two yard loss in the backfield.

PHI Pass Defense

The Eagles front seven weren’t able to bring adequate pressure on QB Michael Vick by themselves, but DBs Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins combined for three sacks and forced two Vick fumbles coming on blitzes. Dawkins returned to the locker room during the third quarter to receive an IV because of dehydration. Upon his return he knocked away a potential touchdown and followed it up with his fumble causing sack on back to back plays.

QB Michael Vick, Pass: 12 - 23 - 156 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 11 - 68 - 1

Vick displayed a bit of Jekyll and Hyde with his passing in the game. He overthrew several passes during the game that had no possibility of being completed. However, he stood very tall in the pocket and threw a picture perfect 58 yard strike to WR Michael Jenkins in the first quarter between double coverage. Vick was uncharacteristically more effective in the pocket than he was on rollouts, but was used very effectively on designed running plays that were basically sweeps with RB Warrick Dunn as his lead blocker around the outside. One of these sweeps resulted in a touchdown that Vick could have walked into the end zone. On a negative note Vick was personally responsible for three turnovers (one interception and two fumbles).

RB Warrick Dunn, Rush: 21 - 117 - 0, Rec: 1 - 0 - 0 (1 targets)

Dunn was very effective running off right tackle early in the game. Other than one carry where he got caught in the backfield, his shortest gain was four yards before halftime. Dunn successfully used the Falcon’s zone blocking scheme and cut into holes well. He was decisive and explosive when he cut up field. His lone target was on a screen that was sniffed out well by the defense.

RB T.J. Duckett, Rush: 8 - 15 - 1

Duckett entered the game when the Falcons were inside the 10-yard line on two separate occasions. The Falcons were intent on feeding the ball to Duckett. His one yard touchdown was a great example of “power” football behind his right guard. Duckett also had a similar five yard touchdown run called back due to a holding penalty. However, Duckett was largely ineffective on most of his other carries being slammed into the center of the line. He hesitated on several plays when there was nowhere to run.

WR Michael Jenkins, Rec: 3 - 80 - 0 (4 targets)

Two of QB Michael Vick’s first three completions when to Jenkins in the first quarter. His 18 yard reception was the first play in the Falcon’s first touchdown drive. His second reception was a beautiful 58 yard fly pattern between two defenders. Jenkins was dropped on the one yard line just short of the goal line, but it set up RB TJ Duckett’s one yard plunge.

WR Brian Finneran, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (2 targets)

Both of Finneran’s targets came on third down plays. The first one was a completed ball that Finneran almost screwed up badly. He had the yardage for the first down, but proceeded to run backwards across the first down line looking to escape and gain extra yardage. He barely managed to gain the necessary yardage on the play. His other target was on the sideline on a third and eight play. His seven yard reception was just short of the marker.

WR Roddy White (1 targets)

White started the game for the Falcons but the rookie was not much of a factor. White’s lone incomplete target came in the third quarter.

TE Alge Crumpler, Rec: 4 - 54 - 0 (11 targets)

Crumpler was often Vick’s first, second, and last option on passing plays. When leaving the pocket and scrambling Vick seemed to get radar locked on Crumpler. Crumpler made several nice grabs including an amazing diving one-handed 24 yard snag coming across the middle. The Falcons hurried to the line and ran another play before the Eagles could consult replay to see if he really made the catch. In the fourth quarter Crumpler was targeted in the end zone on a lobbed jump ball. Crumpler made the catch but DB Brian Dawkins ripped it out of his hands at the last moment.

PK Todd Peterson 0 - 0 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points

Peterson made both of his extra point attempts. The Falcons didn’t come close to give him an opportunity in the game to attempt a field goal.

ATL Rush Defense

The Falcons defensive line was able to contain RB Brian Westbrook with little help. The Falcon linebackers were seen dropping in to coverage on virtually every play giving up run responsibilities. Westbrook was able to burst through for two long gains in the second quarter, but other than those two runs he was shut down in the run game. McNabb’s legs did not test the Falcons as he stayed put in the pocket.

ATL Pass Defense

Second year CB DeAngelo made a name for himself being matched up one on one with WR Terrell Owens for the entire night. The undersized Hall was physical with Owens at the line of scrimmage early and often. Hall made a nice adjustment to a deep ball in the first quarter for his first interception of the season. Even though Owens did post 112 yards receiving, Hall did a nice job of keeping Owens under control as Owens saw 19 passes thrown his way. The Falcon’s front four put heavy pressure on QB Donovan McNabb throughout the game. They forced McNabb to deliver passes too soon on several occasions and put quite a few big hits on him.