Another week, another Eagles preseason blowout. But Saturday's victory probably carried more importance for the Eagles than last Sunday's affair, because Sam Bradford and DeMarco Murray both suited up and didn't get hurt.
NFL scores and results 2015: Eagles soar again, Jimmy Garoppolo leads Patriots comeback
The high-octane Eagles offense impressed for the second straight week, but this time with starting quarterback Sam Bradford on the field. Controversy ensued after Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs took a shot at Bradford’s surgically repaired knees.
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Bradford took a couple of shots from the tenacious Ravens front seven -- including a questionable hit on his surgically repaired knees from Terrell Suggs -- in his first game action since tearing his ACL last August, and got up every time. He also led the Eagles on a 12-play, 86-yard touchdown drive on their first possession of the game, which set the tone for Philadelphia's 40-17 win over Baltimore.
Perhaps Bradford's best throw of the night was a 15-yard rifle to Jordan Matthews that set up the Eagles within Baltimore's 15-yard line. Ryan Mathews then ran up the middle for a 14-yard touchdown, and the Eagles never looked back. Chip Kelly took Bradford out of the game after that series, as he went 3 for 5 and threw for 35 yards on the evening.
After the contest, Bradford accused Suggs of going after his knees intentionally. Suggs, always the gentlemen, said the Eagles need to learn the rules.
Murray scored his touchdown on Philly's next possession following a Joe Flacco interception. He ran the ball for 17 yards on five attempts.
Oh, and we got some more Tebow Time as well. What fun.
3 things we learned from Saturday’s games
Eli Manning struggled after a week of contract talk
After a week of speculation about whether Manning wants to be the highest-paid player in the league, the two-time Super Bowl champion stepped onto the field Saturday night and did not impress.
Manning denied Wednesday he wants to be the highest-paid quarterback in the league, though the New York Daily News reports he’s seeking an extension that’s in the same ballpark as Ben Roethlisberger’s and Philip Rivers’ new deals, which basically means the same thing. Roethlisberger’s contract could pay him as much as $108 million over the next five seasons with $60.75 million guaranteed at the time of the signing, and Rivers’ extension is worth $84 million in new money with $65 million guaranteed.
As Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio points out, Manning has the leverage here. If the Giants franchise Manning next offseason, he’ll make $23.7 million, which means he would be -- wait for it -- the highest-paid player in the game.
The ball seems to be in Manning’s court, poor preseason performance aside.
Andrew Luck looks like he's in midseason form
After a rough opening two series against the Bears Saturday, Luck rebounded and engineered the kind of drive that probably made all of Indianapolis exhale.
Luck led the Colts 89 yards down the field at the start of the second quarter, completing four of his five passes -- including a 45-yard beauty to T.Y. Hilton.
Luck rushed into the end zone to cap off the possession, and then was removed from the game. Though the preseason is next to meaningless for a quarterback of Luck’s stature, Colts fans were probably comforted to see him slice up the opposing defense Saturday, even if it was just for one series.
Joe Flacco ... still not elite
The Ravens want you to know Flacco is an elite quarterback. Flacco wants to tell you he is an elite quarterback. The Ravens are paying Flacco like he is an elite quarterback.
But he did not make elite throws Saturday night.
Flacco went 3 for 7 in three series in Baltimore’s blowout loss to the Eagles Saturday, and threw an interception in each of his first two trips on the field. The Eagles converted both turnovers into touchdowns.
Usually, grading established NFL quarterbacks on a preseason performance is a futile endeavor. But Flacco is a bit of a different case, because -- well -- it’s damn fun to rag on him. He also has only had a QB rating higher than 90 twice in his seven-year career and has never reached the 30-passing touchdown threshold in a season.
No matter how present them, the numbers contradict the notion that Flacco is an elite quarterback. He’s more than capable of performing in January (17 touchdown passes and two interceptions in his last six postseason contests), but the Ravens have to get there first. Given how much turnover the defense has undergone over the last couple of seasons, Flacco is probably going to have to be a lot better than he was Saturday night in order for that to happen.
Injuries
- Panthers defensive end Frank Williams tore his achilles and is out for the season. It's another blow to Carolina, which lost star receiver Kelvin Benjamin earlier this week for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Williams missed 14 games last season due to suspension
- Giants veteran linebacker Jon Beason exited early with a knee sprain. He has missed 40 games over the last four years. Safeties Justin Currie and Bennett Jackson both left with injuries as well -- Currie fractured his ankle and Jackson tore his ACL. Linebacker Mark Herzlich suffered a concussion.
- The Ravens offensive line continues to take a beating, as tackle Eugene Monroe suffered a hand injury and did not return. Backup tackles James Hurst and De'Ondre Wesley were hurt as well. Baltimore didn't suit up six offensive linemen in the contest.
Carolina Panthers 31, Miami Dolphins 30
The Panthers’ backups dominated the second half of this one, as Carolina scored three touchdowns in the game’s final two quarters. Joe Webb led all of the Panthers’ TD drives, and finished 12 of 17 for 131 yards and a touchdown.
But it wasn’t all good news for Carolina Saturday. Cam Newton struggled without Benjamin, going 4 of 10 for 42 yards and an interception.
Ryan Tannehill impressed for the Dolphins, completing 12 of 15 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. Halfback Damien Williams scored twice and almost punched it in a third time, but Miami lost the ball after head coach Joe Philbin mistakenly challenged a call that said Williams was stopped before the goal line after diving for the pylon. The officials ruled Williams had actually fumbled the football, and Carolina took over on its own 20-yard line.
Philadelphia Eagles 40, Baltimore Ravens 17
The Eagles offense dominated for the second consecutive week, except this most recent performance probably carried more importance because Philadelphia’s first unit delivered most of the damage.
Rookie Nelson Agholor had another productive game, as he led the Eagles in receiving Saturday night. Former sixth-round draft choice Kenjon Barner returned his second punt for a touchdown of the preseason.
But the real highlights came afterwards when Bradford and Suggs went at each other through the media. Suggs is right; it isn’t illegal to hit a quarterback on his knees when he rolls out of the pocket. But it’s understandable as to why Bradford was upset at Suggs for going after his surgically repaired knees in a game that didn’t count for anything.
Chicago Bears 23, Indianapolis Colts 11
Jay Cutler completed 8 of 9 passes for 69 yards, and led the Bears on three scoring drives. But penalties erased Cutler’s two best plays; a 42-yard completion was wiped out because of a holding call and another holding penalty nullified Cutler’s subsequent 13-yard touchdown run.
Though Luck rebounded to open up the second quarter, the Bears defensive line put pressure on him early on. Defensive lineman Pernell McPhee sacked Luck for a 9-yard loss in the first period.
New York Giants 22, Jacksonville Jaguars 12
The Jaguars may have lost the game, but head coach Gus Bradley has to be pleased with the way his first unit performed Saturday night. Second-year quarterback Blake Bortles had his second consecutive impressive outing, as he led the Jaguars to field goals in all three of his drive. Bortles completed 8 of his 16 passes for 98 yards.
Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t come up with a single reception despite being targeted five times, and dropped a catchable pass from Manning early on. The Giants didn’t run the ball once in their first two series of the contest.
New York outscored Jacksonville 16-3 in the second half once the second- and third-stringers came off the bench.
New England Patriots 26, New Orleans Saints 24
Tom Brady started this game, but he isn't the most impressive Patriots quarterback Saturday night. That honor belongs to backup Jimmy Garoppolo.
One week after a seven-sack performance, Garoppolo led five scoring drives, including a possession that concluded with a 24-yard touchdown pass. Garoppolo went 28 of 33 for 269 yards in the victory.
Drew Brees and the Saints offense torched the refurbished Patriots secondary in the first half, as the star quarterback completed 8 of 10 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. The biggest play of the night was a 45-yard touchdown pass from Brees to Brandin Cooks in the first quarter. Cooks beat safety Duron Harmon badly on the play, and finished with four receptions for 117 yards.
Minnesota Vikings 20, Oakland Raiders 12
Teddy Bridgewater’s performance is one of the top stories of the preseason so far, as he continues to impress in his sophomore campaign. He completed 10 of 14 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. He is 22 of 28 for 219 yards and no turnovers this preseason.
The highlight for Oakland came when Derek Carr completed a beautiful back-shoulder fade to rookie Amari Cooper in the first quarter for a 40-yard gain. Carr finished 4 of 8 for 78 yards.
Denver Broncos 14, Houston Texans 10
Rookie quarterback Trevor Siemian may never be heard from again, but he sure had himself a moment Saturday night in Houston. The former Northwestern QB and 250th overall draft pick led the Broncos on a 92-yard touchdown drive in the game's closing games to lead the Broncos past the Texans.
Peyton Manning got his most reps of the preseason so far, and finished 8 of 14 for 52 yards on four drives.
Neither Ryan Mallett nor Brian Hoyer impressed for the Texans, who still haven't named a starting quarterback for Week 1. Mallett finished with only 23 yards passing on seven attempts, and Hoyer went 7-of-11 for 52 yards.
San Diego Chargers 22, Arizona Cardinals 19
Philip Rivers was held out for the second consecutive game, but the Chargers still moved the ball in his absence. San Diego scored 19 unanswered points to take a 10-point lead on the Cardinals before Arizona came back late. Josh Lambo won the game with his third field goal of the night as time was expiring.
Carson Palmer started this game for the Cardinals, and went 3-of-7 with 88 yards and a touchdown pass. John Brown reigned in a 16-yard TD toss in the first quarter for one of his three catches on the night. Andre Ellington played, but only carried the ball twice.
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