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Spadaro: 6 takeaways from an incredible, come-from-behind win over the Titans

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' offense were perfect on the final drive and there were key contributions from both defense and special teams as well.

The Eagles celebrate Darius Cooper's game-winning touchdown!
The Eagles celebrate Darius Cooper's game-winning touchdown!

NASHVILLE – One minute, 56 seconds remaining on the clock, Eagles trailing the Tennessee Titans by three points. One offensive drive remaining, with a game on the line and zero timeouts in the pocket. And what the Eagles' offense did – led by quarterback Jalen Hurts – was just, simply, incredible.

Nine plays. Sixty-five yards. And the final snap, a Hurts pass into the end zone – a feathery touch, perfect placement over outstretched defensive fingers – caught by a leaping Darius Cooper for a touchdown and Nissan Stadium erupted into a massive spasm of "E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!" chants as Philadelphia came from behind in the final seconds on Sunday to snatch a 24-20 win on the road to move to 2-0 for the season.

The drive, play by play right here ...

First-and-10 at the Philadelphia 35-yard line, Hurts passes incomplete over the middle intended for wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Second-and-10, Hurts passes complete for wide receiver DeVonta Smith on the right sideline for 4 yards as Smith gets out of bounds. Third-and-6, 1:48 to go, Hurts finds Wicks on the right side and Wicks catches the ball in traffic for a 20-yard gain to the Tennessee 41-yard line.

Clock running.

The next snap, with 1:20 on the clock, Hurts to Smith for 9 yards to the 32-yard line and then goes back to Smith for 6 yards as the clock stops with 51 seconds remaining. After an incomplete pass, Hurts ran for 4 yards up the middle and then came back with a completion to Smith in between two Titans defenders on the left sideline for 19 yards as Smith goes out of bounds at the 3-yard line with 14 seconds on the clock.

And then the touchdown pass to Cooper and bedlam in the stands and on the sideline.

Absolutely incredible victory for the Eagles.

"It was a great play call by Coach Sean (Mannion, offensive coordinator)," said Cooper after scoring his first NFL touchdown. "My assignment was really to pick for Smitty so that he could get on the outbreaker (route). But I guess they had that covered and I ended up being open. Jalen made a great read and put the ball right where it needed to be."

Hurts completed 6-of-8 passes for 61 yards on the drive and he needed every one of those plays to win the game.

"It was fun, honestly," said Smith, who caught 4 passes for 38 yards on the drive and had 10 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. "Game on the line, shouldn't have been that close, but you live for moments like that."

The Eagles overcame some adversity in this one, in addition to the late-game deficit. Running back Saquon Barkley was limited in playing time with a stinger and had just 4 carries for 9 yards. Tight end Dallas Goedert left the game early and did not return after suffering a knee injury. Hurts threw two interceptions, but bounced back to complete 26 of 37 passes for 264 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"Jalen, he's the ultimate competitor," linebacker Zack Baun said. "Dawg mentality, doesn't let anything or anyone get to him."

Some observations about the Eagles, who next play in Chicago on Monday night ...

1. Long, sustained drives for offense in first half

The Eagles moved the ball up and down the field in the first half – three possessions and three opportunities to score. The first drive ended with a giveaway after the Eagles drove 59 yards on 15 plays, and then the Eagles came back with touchdown drives of 11 plays for 65 yards and then 14 plays for 86 yards. Numbers from the first half: 22 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown on the ground and Hurts completed 14 of 17 passes for 141 yards, including a beautiful 22-yard touchdown pass to Smith on which Hurts climbed the pocket to his right and lofted a perfect throw to Smith in the back of the end zone. Smith caught 5 passes for 66 yards and Tay Wicks contributed 4 receptions for 54 yards as the Eagles totaled 210 yards and 15 first downs, converting 6 of 9 third downs and on one fourth down.

2. The best way to answer a giveaway ...

So, it was an early test of the Eagles' mental resolve: The Hurts interception that ended the opening offensive drive put the Eagles in a hole. How would they respond? How about 11 plays, 65 yards, and a really nice mix of the running game and the short passing game. Hurts completed all four of his passes and spread the ball around – Tank Bigsby, Smith twice, Makai Lemon on a big third-down conversion, gaining 14 yards on a third-and-8 play. The running game gained tough yards – Bigsby had 6 carries for 21 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown, and Will Shipley contributed a very tough inside run that gained 5 yards to convert a second-and-2 situation. It was exactly what the Eagles needed to get back to even in the game.

3. Big Leg Jake and the Special Teamers

Jake Elliott boomed a 58-yard field goal and made all three of his PATs to remain perfect for the season. The field goal was huge. "Hit it well, everything was clean, and that's just the way you want it," Elliott said. The special teams had a strong day – Britain Covey averaged 15.5 yards on two punt returns and the coverage units – with Smael Mondon and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. leading the way – were good. Braden Mann averaged 55 yards on two punts with a 50.5-yard net and both punts landed inside the 20-yard line. He's had a great, great start to the season.

4. A 'Character-building' win

The Eagles came from behind on the road and won a big game on Sunday in Tennessee and while there is a lot to improve, the win is what matters. And the benefits of that kind of victory.

"These are the types of wins you want to see in a team during the season. These are character-building kind of wins," defensive tackle Moro Ojomo said. "We need to get better all around and we will work toward that."

5. Jalen Carter makes a big play late in game

Jalen Carter had a big late-game sack on quarterback Cam Ward despite playing with a cast on his injured wrist. "I had to step up," Carter said. "Just going out there and making a play when we needed it." Nolan Smith Jr. had the other sack for the Eagles.

6. Once again, offense goes big

Big plays from the offense? Yes, the Eagles had four pass plays of 20-plus yards, as Wicks caught a 27-yarder in the first quarter, Cooper had a 23-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter, Smith had the 22-yard touchdown, and Wicks had the big 20-yard gain on third-and-6 on the final possession for the offense.

"I knew Darius Cooper would be ready to make a play when he needed to make a play," said Sirianni. "He made a couple nice plays today and he did a lot of dirty work and he made a big time tackle on special teams. And he's a guy that, man, who plays his role, we're going to continue to need him to play his role and excel at his role and he's accepted his role and he's starring in his role at this particular time. Good teams have guys that know their role and accept it. Great teams have guys that star in their role and Darius Cooper's done that."

The Eagles hit the road for the first time in the 2026 season when they take on the Tennessee Titans. Philadelphia is looking to start 2-0, while the Titans are hoping to avoid an 0-2 start at home.

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