The Philadelphia Eagles were in trouble after taking the lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and nearly blowing a 22-0 lead.
But DeVonta Smith bailed them out. The Eagles receiver helped Philadelphia with two catches late in the fourth quarter, including a sensational one-handed touchdown grab that extended the lead to 28-16. The Eagles won 28-23.
The Jaguars turned a 22-0 shutout victory into a six-point game in just a few seconds of the second half. With 5:26 left in the third quarter, Trevor Lawrence scored a touchdown on a quarterback sneak. Fourteen seconds later, Travon Walker converted a Saquon Barkley fumble into a defensive touchdown, cutting Philadelphia’s lead to 22-16.
Eagles’ mistakes led to Smith’s heroics
The Eagles then turned the ball over on downs when they failed to throw the ball on fourth-and-inches. That mistake led to Smith’s heroics late in the game.
On the ensuing first-and-10 on Philadelphia’s possession, Jalen Hurts looked deep into Smith with a play-action pass. Smith broke through the top of the Jaguars’ secondary and brought in a pass for a 46-yard gain.
Four plays later, Hurts turned to Smith again, this time on third-and-22 at the 25-yard line. Ronald Darby covered Smith as he hurtled toward the end zone. But Hearts fired a perfect ball beyond the coverage Smith brought in with his right hand. Smith kept the ball even when it fell wide of the frame.
Replays showed Smith had possession of the ball and had put both feet down just before landing wide of the frame.
He made a catch and a touchdown. The Eagles increased their lead to 28-16 with 5:08 left. But the match wasn’t over.
The Jaguars scored on solid possession and cut the lead to 28-23. They then had a chance to go ahead with two minutes left after Jake Elliott’s field goal shot failed.
However, Trevor Lawrence’s interception in the end zone with 1:37 left sealed the Eagles’ victory.
The win was made possible in large part by Smith’s spectacular catch in the back of the end zone.
Smith finished the day with four catches for 87 yards and a score. Hurts completed 18 of 24 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Barkley had 159 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.
But a late fumble and some questionable decisions by head coach Nick Sirianni helped reinvigorate the Jaguars. The Eagles attempted a two-point conversion but failed before getting the ball back on downs in the third quarter. Sirianni then opted to go for a 57-yard field goal, but Elliott missed, giving the Jaguars a short field and a chance to win.
But in the end, the Eagles did enough to hold on for the win.
