Before driving into the Official Review, presented by AAA, make sure to check out these features from the Eagles' 13-12 road win over the Buffalo Bills:
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Eagles defense dominates in Buffalo
The Eagles' defense pitched a shutout for the first 54 minutes before the Bills got some momentum late. Despite the run from Buffalo, Philadelphia's defense iced the game by holding the Bills on a potential game-winning two-point conversion attempt.
It was an elite showing from Vic Fangio's unit as the Eagles held the Bills to their lowest scoring output of the season.
"This was a good test for us as a team because it's just about building confidence and building that togetherness like we talk about all the time," defensive end Brandon Graham said. "This was good how everybody got tight at the end and made a play.
"... I'm just proud of the guys, just hoping that we continue to keep staying focused like we're doing and don't take anything for granted and just keep making plays because any given moment it could be anybody."
The Eagles got after reigning MVP Josh Allen all night, sacking him five times. Jalyx Hunt got to him twice, and Jaelan Phillips had one of the biggest plays of the game, forcing a fumble on Allen that was recovered way downfield by rookie Jihaad Campbell.
"It just shows the grit, the tenacity, and the fight that we have within all of us, just working together and just being out there on the battlefield and knowing that we all we got, we all we need," he said.
While the Eagles' defense gave up some plays late, they were more impressive grabs and designs from Buffalo than mistakes by Philadelphia. Even though the Bills made it a nail-biter, the Eagles' defense closed things out and continues to be one of the best units in the entire NFL.
Saquon Barkley knows the offense needs to be better in the second half
The Eagles' first half was one of the best stretches of the season for the Birds, but Philadelphia's offense gained only 16 total yards across the final two quarters. Saquon Barkley knows that needs to improve heading into the postseason.
"We know on offense, there's always room for improvement, no matter if we score 40 or we score 13," he said. "But always can build off of games like this, and it's something that we're definitely going to do.
"Obviously we know we've got to get better at that. It's a lot easier to get better from it and win some wins. ... But personally, I feel like when there's like six minutes left, you want to kind of end the game with a ball in your hands, and we didn't do that, and I didn't do that. So I take responsibility for that."
While it wasn't the second half the offense wanted, the Eagles did enough in the first half, paired with an elite defensive showing throughout, to leave a tough road environment with a victory.
"It's just one of those games, like it's going to be a hard-fought battle," right tackle Fred Johnson said. "... It's going to be a dogfight, and it just shows our grit, shows our passion for this game and how we want to execute for not only us, our coaches, teammates, but how we want to execute for this city and put a stamp on our season. So it just shows the toughness that we have."
Nick Sirianni praises the Eagles for winning in a tough road environment
Sunday's victory over Buffalo was a wet and gritty affair as the Eagles fought through nasty weather to pick up a huge road victory over an AFC contender.
It was difficult at times, but the Birds made plays when it mattered the most and left Buffalo with a win. After the game, Head Coach Nick Sirianni praised his team for winning in a tough environment against a team that has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
"You got to give yourself points when you win football games," Sirianni said. "There's always things to clean up when you come out of a football game. But if you come out of a football game where you win on the road in a hostile environment — man they got really good fans — against a really good football team that's had the sustained success that we have. If you come out of this and you're just thinking about all the negative things that have happened, that makes for a miserable existence.
"We'll get there. We'll get to what we need to clean up. Really good first half by the offense, not a great second half. A lot of different reasons why. Winning's hard in this league. I'm always going to enjoy a win, and then I'm going to be really hyper critical on myself first and foremost and then the rest of the guys after that and the coaches. Yeah, you feel great [after that win].
Jalen Hurts: 'It's a big-time win'
Jalen Hurts has long stated that the only thing that matters is winning.
Although there will surely be some areas Philadelphia focuses on improving after the game, the most important thing is the Eagles left Buffalo with a victory.
Hurts finished Sunday's game 13-of-27 for 110 passing yards and a touchdown, and most importantly, he and the rest of the Eagles' offense didn't commit a turnover. The Eagles improved to 42-2 under Sirianni when winning the turnover battle, and that proved pivotal as Philadelphia moved to 11-5 on the season.
"It's a big-time win, a competitive game, hell of a performance by the defense and how they played and how they were able to find a way to get that out and make plays when we needed it the most," Hurts said.
"It's a really good opponent over there, tons of respect for them, but I just think for us to come out here and play with [a] good mentality overall. Obviously, having clinched and having the opportunity to go play in a tournament, having that already sealed, this game wasn't about anything more than just going out here and playing and playing with mentality, so glad to find a win." — Written by Matt Ryan
