Sproles, defense help Eagles beat Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Darren Sproles sparked the Eagles with an 89-yard punt return for a score and added a 1-yard touchdown run, the defense caused four turnovers and Philadelphia got its first win of the season by holding on to beat the New York Jets 24-17 on Sunday.
Sam Bradford threw a TD pass to Ryan Mathews, who also rushed for 108 yards on 25 carries while starting in place of the injured DeMarco Murray.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw touchdown passes to Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Kerley, but was intercepted three times. The last one, by Walter Thurmond with 3:28 left, helped seal the victory over the Jets, who held the Eagles scoreless after halftime.
Sproles put the Eagles up by 10 with his spectacular punt return early in the second quarter, dodging at least four would-be Jets tacklers.
Bradford made it 17-0 with 4:57 left before halftime when he found Mathews streaking down the right sideline and connected with the running back for a 23-yard TD.
With the Jets in desperate need of a lift on offense on the ensuing possession, Marshall tried to do too much as he caught a 17-yard pass — and then tried to get off a backward pass to Jeff Cumberland. But the ball hit an Eagles defender and was recovered by Jordan Hicks. A video review confirmed the call, and the Eagles made the Jets pay.