By Brooks Kubena and Jelani Scott
A wild second half brought a dramatic end to the Philadelphia Eagles’ 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The help of a few clutch fourth-quarter plays pushed the Eagles to their fourth consecutive win.
The Jaguars drove 40 yards to the Eagles 13-yard line for a shot to win the game. Eagles (6-2) linebacker Nakobe Dean intercepted Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the end zone on the potential go-ahead touchdown to running back D’Ernest Johnson, ending the threat with 1:42 remaining in the game.
Another crucial play in the final frame came on a 25-yard Jalen Hurts touchdown pass to wide receiver DeVonta Smith to give the Eagles some needed cushion.
Lawrence punched in two TDs with his legs while the Jaguars (2-7) defense recovered and scored off a questionable Saquon Barkley fumble in the third quarter to help narrow the gap.
Barkley continued to spark the Eagles finishing with 199 total yards (159 yards rushing), a TD and a highlight reel hurdle. Hurts finished with 230 yards and two TDs, despite losing wideout A.J. Brown to a hamstring injury just before halftime. Smith ended with four receptions for a game-high 87 yards and a touchdown.
Nakobe Dean intercepts Lawrence in the end zone! First career INT#JAXvsPHI pic.twitter.com/RtANcTJs77
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
Eagles almost let this one slip away
Jacksonville’s near comeback indeed began with controversy. Travon Walker returned what was ruled a fumble by Barkley for a 35-yard touchdown to pull within 22-16 in the third quarter. The ball appeared to pop loose after Barkley slid on his elbow after making contact with multiple players. But Philadelphia had several opportunities to put the game away. They failed to convert on two Brotherly Shove two-point conversions. They turned the ball over on fourth-and-1. Jake Elliott missed a 57-yard attempt to give the Jaguars one last chance to beat them. But Dean’s interception in the end zone saved the game. — Brooks Kubena, Eagles beat writer
Jaguars still can’t find their way
Of Jacksonville’s seven losses in 2024, this might be the toughest to swallow. Doug Pederson nearly stole one on the road from the team that fired him. The Eagles handed them every opportunity. Yet the Jaguars still could not capitalize when the comeback opportunity presented itself. They were 3-of-10 on third down, 1-of-2 on fourth down, and Lawrence threw two interceptions, including one in the end zone in a contested one-on-one that ended the game. — Kubena
Eagles offense looking explosive amid injuries
The Eagles surged to a 22-0 lead with their most fluid start yet. Barkley continues to transcend all that is conventional. He hauled in a 20-yard score. He rushed for a 19-yard touchdown. He hurdled over a defender backwards on a third-down reception. He helped close the game out by supplying his fifth game of 100 rushing yards — his third straight. When the Jaguars pulled within a single score, Hurts launched a 46-yard pass to Smith in the fourth quarter, then hit Smith on a 25-yard score. Brown had two catches for 36 yards before exiting with a knee injury. The Eagles moved the ball without Brown and were in positions to put the game away. — Kubena
Required reading
- NFL Week 9, trade deadline live updates: Latest news, rumors, grades and coverage maps
- Vikings trade for Jaguars LT Cam Robinson to replace injured Christian Darrisaw
- Eagles’ Fred Johnson once hit ‘rock bottom.’ Here’s how self-belief helped him belong
- Will the Eagles make a move before the trade deadline?
(Photo: Elsa / Getty Images)
