Jalen Hurts was poised and DeVonta Smith looked electric as the Philadelphia Eagles gave Nick Sirianni a win in his coaching debut with a 32-6 victory over the struggling Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Here is some instant analysis from Sunday’s action.
Nick Sirianni has a plan
Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
It was only the season opener against a bad Falcons team, but Sirianni had the Eagles prepared and his team responded in a way that good ball clubs are supposed to again inferior opposition.
Gotta show love after your first NFL victory#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/7OHWuOMGKC
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 12, 2021
Sirianni was creative on offense, mixing up his schemes and formations while putting Jalen Hurts in the best position to be successful.
The rookie head coach started Myles Sanders off slow but utilized the running game to wear down Atlanta late.
Hurts looked confident
Sep 12, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
After months of speculation about the Eagles quarterback position, Hurts came out and put the doubters on notice. The second-year passer was efficient, confident in the pocket while making all the right decisions as he avoided any turnovers.
While Carson Wentz was battered during his debut with the Colts, Hurts was untouched for the most part, while tossing touchdown passes of 18 yards to DeVonta Smith, 9 yards to Dallas Goedert, and 23 yards to Jalen Reagor.
Eagles defense aggressive and dynamic
Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia got pressure up front, held Matt Ryan to 164-yards passing, and sacked the veteran quarterback three times on the day.
The Eagles gave up 6 points on the afternoon, while only giving up six in Jonathan Gannon’s debut.
Kenneth Gainwell instant impact
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Gainwell logged 43 total yards from scrimmage on 11 touches, with a touchdown, and excelled well enough in pass protection that Boston Scott logged zero snaps.
Arryn Siposs quietly efficient
(AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Lost in the 32 points scored was first-year Eagles punter Arryn Siposs solidifying the spot thus far after a solid Week 1 performance.
Siposs averaged 47.3 gross yards per punt and dropped one deep inside the ten-yard line.
Eagles contained Ridley and Kyle Pitts
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The Eagles held the talented rookie to 31 yards on four receptions, using Darius Slay and Steven Nelson at times on Pitts.
Pitts’s longest reception was 18 yards, while Ridley’s longest gain was 16 yards.
