PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley showcased an incredible backward hurdle during an impressive game, while Nakobe Dean made a crucial interception that enabled the Philadelphia Eagles to secure their fourth consecutive victory, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-23 on Sunday night.
Barkley carried the ball 27 times, racking up 159 yards and scoring a touchdown. Additionally, he recorded three receptions for 40 yards and another touchdown.
The Eagles (6-2) managed to hold on to their advantage despite coach Nick Sirianni’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The team struggled on fourth downs, going 0 for 2, and failed to convert three 2-point attempts. This led to Jake Elliott attempting a 57-yard field goal with 2:16 remaining, which he missed, giving Jacksonville (2-7) possession at their own 47-yard line.
Following a pass interference penalty on Eagles defensive back Avonte Maddox, the Jaguars advanced to the Eagles’ 13-yard line. However, their comeback attempt was thwarted when Trevor Lawrence’s poor pass was intercepted by Dean in the end zone, marking the linebacker’s first career interception.
The Eagles have seemed to hit their stride post-bye week, fueled by the performances of Jalen Hurts and Barkley, positioning themselves firmly in the NFC East playoff race. Hurts finished the game completing 18 of 24 passes for 230 yards, throwing for two touchdowns and adding another on the ground.
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith imitated Barkley’s athleticism with a spectacular one-handed grab for a 25-yard touchdown—an eye-catching play that mirrored a recent catch by New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson. This stretched the Eagles’ lead to 28-16 late in the fourth quarter.
Despite the lead, missed scoring opportunities continued to haunt the Eagles. Lawrence, who went 16 of 31 for 169 yards and threw two interceptions, managed to rush for two touchdowns, including a 4-yard touchdown run that narrowed the score to 28-23 with 4:04 to play.
Barkley was a vital asset in securing the win, marking his importance as a key free-agent acquisition for the Eagles. He delivered a standout performance, including a jaw-dropping play where Hurts tossed him a pass in the second quarter. Barkley dazzled fans with a spin move that left one defender missing in action, followed by a split-leg backward leap over cornerback Jarrian Jones for a 14-yard gain, contributing to an early 10-0 lead for the Eagles.
However, Barkley’s game wasn’t without faults. Following a 1-yard touchdown run by Lawrence and a subsequent 2-point conversion that closed the gap to 22-8 for Jacksonville, Barkley fumbled on Philadelphia’s next possession. The loose ball was picked up by Travon Walker, who returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, putting the Jaguars within six points again at 22-16 after another 2-point conversion.
The Eagles donned their popular throwback Kelly green uniforms, allowing Barkley to dominate the offensive flow throughout the first half. His impressive play included a spectacular over-the-shoulder 20-yard touchdown catch in the end zone for the game’s opening score, leading to the Eagles’ first points in the first quarter this season.
Coach Doug Pederson of the Jaguars faced disappointment once again, as he fell to 0-2 against the Eagles since his dismissal from Philadelphia after the 2020 season.
Injury Updates: The Jaguars reported that OL Mitch More was evaluated for a concussion, OL Anton Harrison experienced a knee injury, and OL Cooper Hodges was carted off in the third quarter due to a leg injury. On the Eagles’ side, WR A.J. Brown sustained a knee injury, while LB Ben VanSumeren also left the game with a concussion.
Looking ahead, the Jaguars will return home to face Minnesota, while the Eagles prepare for a road match against Dallas this Sunday.