The Brotherly Shove!!

Zero penalties!!

The Philadelphia Eagles earned a massive 31-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football. It was the Eagles toughest test of the season, and it was a statement win in every way possible.

The Dolphins entered the game averaging 37.2 points per game. The high-powered Dolphins offense scored just 10. Before Sunday night, Tua Tagovailoa was sacked just six times all year. He was sacked four times Sunday (two by Josh Sweat). The Dolphins averaged 498 yards (2,992 through six games), but only had 244 in the loss.

For a banged up defense, Sunday was a great performance. The Eagles offense did a tremendous job. There were some ugly moments, but the Eagles played a smart and disciplined game. Finishing with zero penalties was very important, and is something you don’t always see from teams. No one has done that this year, and only one team accomplished it last season (the Kansas City Chiefs).

Nick Sirianni coached a good game. But what I loved was his confidence in his players. Going for it twice on fourth down in the fourth quarter, including deep in your own territory, shows your players that you believe in them, which is very huge! And that Brotherly Shove!! I mean, it’s really a thing of beauty!!

The way the Eagles played, it just shows they should have defeated the New York Jets. It’s just a really shame. The Eagles were better than that and should be 7-0, but the Eagles showed what type of them they are.

One other thing to take away? As an Eagles fan, all I ever hear, and especially last year, is “who have the Eagles beat?” or “The Eagles play no one good.” I want to know what the excuse is now. Listen, I thought the Eagles would lose this game, and I’m sure many out there did, too. I love that I was wrong. But this was an impressive and telling win as the Eagles get ready for some very tough opponents in the coming weeks (Dallas twice, 49ers, Bills and Chiefs).

The Eagles played a decent first half. Yes, Jalen Hurts fumbled. But the defense held Miami to just a field goal. But the Eagles scored a TD on their next two drives to go up 17-3.

The Eagles defense had a golden opportunity to stop the Dolphins on third-and-18, but allowed them to convert and eventually score to make it 17-10. But the Eagles made up for it to start the third quarter, stopping Miami on another third-and-18 situation. But the offense could not capitalize. After another defensive stop, Miami tied the game at 17-17 with an INT return for a touchdown.

It was not the greatest start to the second half.

But Hurts and the offense stepped up.

Highlighted by a 25-yard pass from Hurts to DeVonta Smith, the Eagles went ahead 24-17 with an A.J. Brown TD.

Darius Slay then made a big-time interception, which led to a Kenny Gainwell TD. But one of the best plays of the game happened on that scoring drive— the 42-yard pass from Hurts to Brown. It was just an unbelievable throw and catch.

The turnovers by Hurts has to stop, but I’m not worried. I think it will. He already surpassed his INT total from last season, but they were not all his fault. He still finished 23 for 32 for 279 yards and three total touchdowns. Hurts played a good game, especially late when the Eagles really needed him.

The Eagles responded to adversity and were resilient. The defense played great all game, really shutting down one of the fastest and hottest teams in the NFL.

It was great to see Dallas Goedert get used— he finished with five receptions for 77 yards and a TD. D’Andre Swift also had some nice runs. It really was a great effort on offense and defense

Now? The Eagles need to get ready for next week. We all know those games against the Washington Commanders can be trickery sometimes (look at the last game going to overtime). But the Eagles should win that matchup, and could be 7-1 this time next week.

But Sunday really was a statement win, and the Eagles proved they are contenders. The Dolphins definitely were dominated on a national stage, and hopefully the Eagles continued to open eyes.