The Philadelphia Eagles didn't exactly cruise to victory over theTennessee Titans. They needed a late touchdown to escape Nashville with a 24-20 win. There were stretches when the offense and defense both left plenty to be desired, but in the end, the result is similar to what we saw in Week 1.
Philadelphia left some plays on the field, but a win is a win. Now, they get to learn with a win in their back pockets. Jalen Hurts joins elite companyby winning his sixth straight road opener.
Every positive development won't come with a spectacular stat line. Sometimes the building blocks are found in third-down efficiency, sustained drives, red-zone execution, and the little details that help a team control a game.
Eagles converted 11 of 18 third-down attempts
Philadelphia had several of those details
working in its favor Sunday, and this was one of the more encouraging developments of the afternoon. Philadelphia converted 11 of 18 third-down opportunities, keeping drives alive at a rate that makes life considerably easier for an offense.
The Eagles also converted a fourth-down attempt, and they would have converted two if not for a defensive offsides penalty that awarded Philadelphia its first down on what would have been a successful Brotherly Shove. After struggling to sustain drives in Week 1, consistently moving the chains was a meaningful step forward.
Third down isn't always the most glamorous stat, but converting at that rate helps explain why Philadelphia was able to keep the football for long stretches and put itself in position to win late.
341 total yards on eight offensive drives
Philadelphia generated 341 total yards across eight offensive drives, averaging 4.7 yards per play. Those numbers aren't overwhelming in today's game, but they do illustrate an offense that was generally capable of moving the football.
The Eagles also showed they could put together longer possessions. Three of their first-half drives lasted at least 11 plays, and the offense repeatedly found ways to extend possessions when it needed to. Even with the struggles that surfaced later, Philadelphia produced enough yardage to keep pressure on Tennessee.
There is still another level this offense can reach, particularly in the running game, but this was a more functional performance than what we saw in stretches of Week 1.
Three red-zone trips were converted into touchdowns
This is another area worth celebrating. Philadelphia made three trips into the red zone and turned all three into touchdowns, which is exactly the kind of efficiency that can make up for a lack of explosive plays elsewhere.
The only red-zone possession that didn't end in points was the interception Amani Hooker returned 92 yards. That turnover eventually helped Tennessee score its first touchdown, turning what could have been another Eagles scoring opportunity into a seven-point swing.
Otherwise, Philadelphia finished its red-zone opportunities. In a close game, that kind of efficiency matters.
Eagles win time of possession and committed fewer penalties than one week prior
Philadelphia held the football for 36:25, winning the time-of-possession battle after losing it against Washington. That allowed the Eagles to dictate the pace for meaningful stretches and helped limit Tennessee's opportunities to find offensive rhythm.
The Eagles also cleaned up their penalty total. Philadelphia was flagged four times for 35 yards, compared with seven penalties for 45 yards in Week 1. That may not look dramatic, but reducing self-inflicted mistakes is part of building the kind of consistency teams need over a long season.
None of these numbers will generate the same attention as Darius Cooper's game-winning touchdown or DeVonta Smith's 117 receiving yards. They may ultimately be just as important, though. Philadelphia is 2-0 because it made enough winning plays when it mattered, and these are the kinds of building blocks that can help turn close games into more comfortable ones as the season progresses
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Encouraging stats from Eagles’ 24-20 win over the Titans
