Game Recap: Eagles 29, Jaguars 21

It’s a dismal Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field as rain and wind persist in South Philadelphia – but that hasn’t stopped Eagles fans. The stadium is packed with ponchos as the team looks to preserve its undefeated start to the 2022 season against the Jaguars and former Head Coach Doug Pederson.

The Eagles’ sunless Sunday matinee begins at 1 PM, here’s what has happened so far:

Doug Pederson’s welcome was a warm one as he trotted onto his former field on Sunday – it’s what he hoped for. He was met with loud applause and a standing ovation during the Jaguars’ introduction. Fond memories of Super Bowl LII rang through Lincoln Financial Field as stadium cameras panned toward the 2017 World Championship banner – but once the Eagles were introduced, all attention shifted to the 3-0 home team.

• The Eagles’ defense was off to a hot start – they forced a three-and-out on the Jaguars’ first possession of the game. Trevor Lawrence recorded two consecutive incompletions to close out the drive, both targets to wide receiver Christian Kirk.

• The offense did not fare as well in its first possession – the Jaguars intercepted a pass and ran it in for the first points of the game. Safety Andre Cisco intercepted Hurts’ pass intended for Zach Pascal at the Jacksonville 41; he scored a 59-yard touchdown with 11:30 remaining in the quarter. Jalen Hurts went 1-for-3 for 8 yards in the Eagles’ first offensive series.

• Some early injuries to keep an eye on. Darius Slay went to the locker room after the first third-down stop. His absence left the defense without two of their three starting cornerbacks with Avonte Maddox out with an ankle injury. Slay was replaced by Zech McPhearson. Jordan Mailata also went to the locker room; he was replaced by Jack Driscoll at left tackle on the second offensive drive.

• Jaguars Trevor Lawrence took advantage of the diluted coverage from the Eagles’ defense; he threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jamal Agnew to cap off an 8-play, 80-yard drive, increasing their lead to 14-0 with 3:50 left in the first quarter.

• The Eagles’ offense began to show signs of life with 3:44 left in the first quarter. Hurts completed a deep 31-yard pass to A.J. Brown, but the Jaguars stifled the run for the remainder of the drive. The Eagles went for it on fourth-and-3 from Jaguars’ territory, but Hurts’ pass was incomplete. The Jaguars regained possession with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter.