D’Andre Swift made a triumphant return to his hometown of Philadelphia, showcasing his skills in the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Swift had an outstanding night, rushing 28 times for a career-high 175 yards and a crucial touchdown, ultimately securing the Eagles’ 34-28 win. With just two touches in Week 1, Swift finished with a total of 181 yards and a game-sealing 2-yard touchdown run, pushing the Eagles to a 2-0 record.Swift’s Hometown Heroics Propel Eagles to Thrilling Victory Over Vikings
One of the standout moments came when Swift dashed for a 43-yard gain in the fourth quarter, positioning the Eagles deep in the red zone while holding a 27-21 lead. Swift, filling in as the first-team running back due to Kenneth Gainwell’s absence, capitalized on the opportunity by setting a career high in rushing yards.
Despite trailing 27-7 early in the third quarter, the Vikings mounted a comeback effort. Kirk Cousins connected with Jordan Addison for a 62-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 27-14. In the fourth quarter, Cousins orchestrated a nine-play, 86-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to KJ Osborn, making it 27-21 with 7:41 remaining.
The first half was marked by turnovers, with a pivotal moment when Justin Jefferson’s apparent 1-yard line catch turned into a fumble outside the pylon, granting the Eagles a touchback. Jake Elliott capitalized on this missed opportunity with a 61-yard field goal, matching the franchise record. DeVonta Smith contributed with three catches for 123 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown, extending the Eagles’ lead to 27-7 in the third quarter. Jalen Hurts also had a notable performance with two rushing touchdowns.
In summary, Swift’s standout performance, a resilient Vikings comeback, and key plays defined the Eagles’ victory on Thursday night.
Why the Eagles won
They returned to their ground-game roots with a renewed focus. Initially slow-paced, reminiscent of their lackluster Week 1 performance against the Patriots, Philadelphia heavily relied on D’Andre Swift, who had been nearly absent in the opener but now displayed explosive agility on every touch. He had surpassed 100 yards early in the fourth quarter. Boston Scott also contributed, exploiting open running lanes, while Jalen Hurts, despite a shaky start, effortlessly orchestrated a couple of touchdown sneaks, further solidifying the dominance of their rushing attack.While the defense wasn’t flawless, it seized opportunities, allowing a deep touchdown to rookie Jordan Addison and permitting the Vikings to narrow the score late. However, it also kept constant pressure on Kirk Cousins, forcing four fumbles and effectively containing the formidable Justin Jefferson until the later stages of the game, ultimately securing the important victory.
Why the Viking lost
The offensive line started the game already battered, and it ended up in even worse shape. With left tackle Christian Darrisaw in and out of the lineup and center Garrett Bradbury sidelined, Kirk Cousins found it challenging to string together consecutive plays without facing relentless pressure during the majority of the first three quarters. Alexander Mattison, as the RB1, provided minimal assistance. Despite limited opportunities early on, Justin Jefferson gave his all but even had a fumble just short of the goal line. Brian Flores’ defense exceeded expectations for most of the game, initially perplexing Jalen Hurts and occasionally preventing deep passes. However, as the game progressed, their cornerbacks struggled to contain DeVonta Smith’s rapid downfield advances. Although Cousins persevered in attempting a potential comeback, they never truly seized full control of the game.
Turning Point
Trailing by three points, the Vikings mounted a threat to reclaim the lead just before halftime. They embarked on a 74-yard drive, highlighted by a precise 30-yard pass from Cousins to Jefferson. However, as the wide receiver lunged toward the end zone, the ball slipped from his grip and went out of bounds, technically crossing the pylon and resulting in a touchdown. This turnover erased a pivotal scoring opportunity for Minnesota. Subsequently, Jake Elliott capitalized on the situation by kicking a 61-yard field goal for the Eagles as halftime approached.
play of the game
“Pass the ball to DeVonta Smith, who established an early tone with an impressive leaping catch over the defender’s head, aiding the Eagles in taking the initial lead.”
Next Update
The Eagles (2-0) will have an extended break before their Week 3 matchup in Tampa for a “Monday Night Football” clash against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, the Vikings (0-2) will head home and aim for their first victory of the season as they welcome Justin Herbert and the Ch