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PHI |
LAC |
Blount drives Eagles to 26-24 victory over winless Chargers
CARSON, Calif. (AP) LeGarrette Blount burst through the line, escaped an ankle tackle and shoved into the secondary, where he stiff-armed a Chargers rookie twice to cap a rampaging 68-yard run .
''From my vantage point, it was one of the most impressive runs I've seen in my life,'' quarterback Carson Wentz said.
The Philadelphia Eagles are off to a tenacious start after another smash-mouth victory in a road stadium that felt like home.
Wentz passed for 242 yards, Blount rushed for 136 and the Eagles jumped to a big early lead before hanging on for a 26-24 victory over the winless Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Rookie Jake Elliott kicked four field goals for the Eagles (3-1), who had thousands of vocal fans in the Chargers' temporary arena while they won on the road for the second time in 10 tries. Those fans roared their approval particularly after Philadelphia ran out the game with a bruising 13-play drive over the final 6:44, simply refusing to give a final chance to the Chargers' offense.
''Even though we're four games in, this team is really beginning to believe in themselves, believe in each other,'' coach Doug Pederson said.
Playing without Fletcher Cox and several injured defensive regulars, the Eagles matched last season's 3-1 start. They did it with an impressive running game: Blount combined with Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement to rush for 200 yards, with Blount picking up 88 yards in the fourth quarter, along with the clinching first down on that clock-chewing drive.
''I had a pretty good day,'' Blount said after his biggest day yet for his new team. ''Running behind the O-line I run behind, it's pretty hard not to have a good day.''
Rookie Austin Ekeler rushed for a 35-yard score on his first NFL carry and Hunter Henry made a one-handed TD catch during the Chargers' fourth-quarter surge.
Philadelphia ran out the clock after Henry's TD catch, making a time-consuming drive that ended in the Victory formation.
Philip Rivers passed for 347 yards and two TDs for the Chargers, who have lost nine consecutive games dating to last season in San Diego.
WINLESS BOLTS
Tyrell Williams caught a 75-yard touchdown pass , but the Chargers are off to their first 0-4 start since 2003 - three years before Rivers became their starting quarterback. New coach Anthony Lynn is still winless after Los Angeles' new team wrapped up a three-game homestand.
''Never in a million years (had) I thought we'd be here at 0-4, but we are,'' Lynn said. ''I look at football in four quarters, just like the game, and we just stunk the first quarter of our season. We've got three quarters left to figure some things out and get this turned around.''
FINISHING STRENGTH
Blount's 68-yard run eventually led to Smallwood's TD dive with 9:14 to play after a penalty on Los Angeles' Darius Philon kept the Eagles alive.
Henry made it 26-24, but the Eagles never gave up the ball.
''They wore down in the fourth quarter,'' Eagles left tackle Jason Peters said of the Chargers. ''Matter of fact, they wore down in the third quarter going into the fourth, and we took advantage of it.''
THE MAN
Blount had just 113 yards in his first three games with the Eagles, and he didn't get a carry in their loss to Kansas City two weeks ago. The NFL's 2016 leader in rushing touchdowns was at the center of Philadelphia's attack this time, and he showed the tenacity that his teammates already knew he possessed from his Super Bowl-winning tenure with New England.
''I know what I can do,'' Blount said. ''I know I'm one of the better backs in this league. I'm always going to run with that passion and that confidence.''
TOUGH MOMENT
Rivers grew frustrated in the second half, slinging his helmet into the bench and shouting at teammates and coaches when he wanted to go for it on fourth down.
''That's why you have a head coach and not go off your emotions there,'' Rivers said. ''Without a doubt, the correct move was to punt.''
HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE
For the third straight week, the sellout crowd at the Chargers' temporary home stadium had a healthy contingent of fans supporting the visiting team. The Philly faithful roared for the Eagles and booed the Bolts, although both fan bases joined together pregame for a rude chant about the Dallas Cowboys.
UP NEXT
Eagles: Host the Arizona Cardinals to begin a stretch with four of five at home.
Chargers: Visit the winless New York Giants to begin a stretch with four of five on the road. ''It's a barn-burner, two 0-4 teams,'' Rivers said.
---
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Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
C. Wentz
QB 242 PaYds, PaTD, 14 RuYds |
16
FPTS
|
|
P. Rivers
17 QB 347 PaYds, 2 PaTDs |
23
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. Wentz 11 QB
16 FPTS
|
C. Wentz | 17/31 | 242 | 1 | 0 | 16 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
L. Blount 29 RB
15 FPTS
|
L. Blount | 16 | 136 | 0 | 68 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Smallwood 28 RB
13 FPTS
|
W. Smallwood | 10 | 34 | 1 | 11 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Clement 30 RB
3 FPTS
|
C. Clement | 10 | 30 | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Wentz 11 QB
16 FPTS
|
C. Wentz | 6 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 16 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
Z. Ertz 86 TE
8 FPTS
|
Z. Ertz | 8 | 5 | 81 | 0 | 38 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Agholor 13 WR
5 FPTS
|
N. Agholor | 4 | 3 | 58 | 0 | 36 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. Smallwood 28 RB
13 FPTS
|
W. Smallwood | 6 | 4 | 45 | 0 | 24 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Jeffery 17 WR
8 FPTS
|
A. Jeffery | 6 | 3 | 29 | 1 | 13 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Blount 29 RB
15 FPTS
|
L. Blount | 1 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Smith 82 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Smith | 3 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Celek 87 TE
0 FPTS
|
B. Celek | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Johnson 14 WR
0 FPTS
|
M. Johnson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. Hicks 58 MLB
|
J. Hicks | 8-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Jenkins 27 SS
|
M. Jenkins | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Bradham 53 OLB
|
N. Bradham | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Robinson 21 DB
|
P. Robinson | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Kendricks 95 OLB
|
M. Kendricks | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Allen 94 DT
|
B. Allen | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Barnett 96 DE
|
D. Barnett | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Mills 31 CB
|
J. Mills | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Douglas 32 CB
|
R. Douglas | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Graham 55 DE
|
B. Graham | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. McLeod 23 FS
|
R. McLeod | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Maragos 42 FS
|
C. Maragos | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. McDougle 36 CB
|
D. McDougle | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Jernigan 93 DT
|
T. Jernigan | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Long 56 DE
|
C. Long | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. Curry 75 DE
|
V. Curry | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Elliott 4 K
14 FPTS
|
J. Elliott | 4/4 | 53 | 2/2 | 14 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
D. Jones 8 P
|
D. Jones | 2 | 47.5 | 2 | 54 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Barner 38 RB
0 FPTS
|
K. Barner | 3 | 5.0 | 13 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
P. Rivers 17 QB
23 FPTS
|
P. Rivers | 22/38 | 347 | 2 | 0 | 23 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
K. Allen 13 WR
13 FPTS
|
K. Allen | 11 | 5 | 138 | 0 | 50 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ty. Williams 16 WR
17 FPTS
|
Ty. Williams | 6 | 5 | 115 | 1 | 75 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Ekeler 30 RB
11 FPTS
|
A. Ekeler | 2 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 12 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Benjamin 12 WR
2 FPTS
|
T. Benjamin | 5 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 19 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Gates 85 TE
1 FPTS
|
A. Gates | 5 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Henry 86 TE
7 FPTS
|
H. Henry | 3 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 12 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Inman 15 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Inman | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Gordon 28 RB
2 FPTS
|
M. Gordon | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Oliver 32 RB
0 FPTS
|
B. Oliver | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. Addae 37 SS
|
J. Addae | 7-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tr. Williams 24 CB
|
Tr. Williams | 7-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Pullard 50 MLB
|
H. Pullard | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Bosa 99 DE
|
J. Bosa | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Brown 57 ILB
|
J. Brown | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Palepoi 95 DE
|
T. Palepoi | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Liuget 94 DE
|
C. Liuget | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Ingram 54 OLB
|
M. Ingram | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Boston 33 FS
|
T. Boston | 3-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. King 20 DB
|
D. King | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Square 71 NT
|
D. Square | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Mebane 92 NT
|
B. Mebane | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCain 40 DE
|
C. McCain | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Ekeler 30 RB
|
A. Ekeler | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Harris 58 MLB
|
N. Harris | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hayward 26 CB
|
C. Hayward | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Philon 93 DE
|
D. Philon | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ty. Williams 16 WR
|
Ty. Williams | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Davis 43 CB
|
M. Davis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Phillips 31 SS
|
A. Phillips | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Emanuel 51 OLB
|
K. Emanuel | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
Y. Koo 9 K
6 FPTS
|
Y. Koo | 1/1 | 28 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
D. Kaser 8 P
|
D. Kaser | 4 | 47.8 | 2 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Benjamin 12 WR
2 FPTS
|
T. Benjamin | 2 | 1.5 | 3 | 0 |