The Eagles dominated the first half, but a Jalen Hurts fumble and Tyreek Hill’s dominant speed allowed the Dolphins to close to within 17-10 after 30 minutes of exciting action.
Philadelphia dominated time of possession, stopped the explosive Miami rushing attack, and pressured Tua Tagovailoa, sacking the MVP candidate twice.
With the second half underway, here are takeaways from the first half.
Run the ball
With the Eagles looking to keep the Dolphins off the field, D’Andre Swift got carries on the first three plays of the game.
Swift finished the first half with 9 carries for 31 yards.
Control the clock
The Eagles lead 3-0, and the first drive was an impressive 12-play, 71 yard jaunt that ate up over 7:00 of game time.
The Eagles have taken five snaps on this drive with a running clock, and each has been with the play clock below 10 seconds.
This offense was 7th in pace entering the game. Looks like they're gonna slow things down and try and eat clock from the jump here.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 23, 2023
Dallas Goedert involved early
Looking to take advantage of mismatches, the Eagles found tight end Dallas Goedert on consecutive 22-yard completions.
Fitting that the first big play of the game goes to Dallas Goedert on #NationalTightEndsDay
📺: #MIAvsPHI on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0rIJPFKW6L pic.twitter.com/DPfTTVQbnz— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2023
The YAC King is back, as Goedert is averaging 16.8 yards per catch, with a long of 22 yards on the evening through one half of play.
Happy #NationalTightEndsDay, Dallas Goedert 🙌
📺: #MIAvsPHI on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0rIJPFKW6L pic.twitter.com/sLdBvsoNTn— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2023
Goedert had 4 catches for 67 yards and the one touchdown.
Julio Jones
Eagles open in 11 personnel with Olamide Zaccheaus as the No. 3 WR. But expect to see Julio Jones mixed in as the game progresses.
Also: Eagles are running early. They want to be physical tonight.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) October 23, 2023
Olamide Zaccheaus got the start in the slot, but Jones saw his first snap in the red zone.
Tyreek Hill involved early
Hill had two catches for 15 yards on the Dolphins first drive, and the Eagles had seven players spying on the NFL’s leading receiver.
Tua and Tyreek not wasting much time 🐬
📺: #MIAvsPHI on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0rIJPFKW6L pic.twitter.com/EOfU3irBsY— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2023
Hill has 8 catches for 65 yards and the 1 touchdown catch.
Haason Reddick
Reddick already has a tackle for loss, and just recorded a sack in his fourth straight game.
Tua Tagovailoa
Tua is 13-16 for 129 yards and 1 passing touchdown against a stout Eagles defense.
Tyreek is fast pic.twitter.com/wTumf0mMbr
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) October 23, 2023
Jalen Carter is back
Breadman has 1 QB hit and several pressures in a disruptive first half.
Jalen Carter is so dominant.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/lQGcbP9UUm
— JAKIB Sports (@JAKIBSports) October 23, 2023
Jalen Hurts turnover
Holding onto the football for too long can be a huge negative and Hurts recorded another lost fumble on the Eagles second possession.
I hate that I’m even typing this pic.twitter.com/Ud0MshoEB8 https://t.co/m7jOAIfnSb
— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) October 23, 2023
How now has four turnovers in his last five quarters played.
Eagles dominant first quarter
The Eagles out-gained the Dolphins 73-29 in the first quarter, but only amassed 3 points on a night where they need to score touchdowns.
Eagles shutdown Dolphins run game
Miami entered Sunday night with the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL, but through one half of play, they’ve been held to
Dolphins entered this matchup as the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL in like every category. 4 carries, -7 yards so far.
Philadelphia has only alowed 113 total yards so far to the Dolphins explosive offense in one half of football.
Julio Jones
A.J. Brown was forced into the medical tent, and that provided an opportunity for Julio Jones to snag his first reception with the Eagles.
First catch as an Eagle for Julio Jones 👏
📺: #MIAvsPHI on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0rIJPFKW6L pic.twitter.com/ymDnuQRRQg— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2023
Jones had one catch for 3 yards in the first half.
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts has tied Randall Cunningham (32, 1985-95) for the most rushing TDs by a QB in #Eagles history. #FlyEaglesFly
— John Gonoude (@john_gonoude) October 23, 2023
Hurts has been scrappy in the first half, and has more than redeemed his terrible perforrmance in Week 6.
JALEN HURTS WHAT A PLAY
📺: #MIAvsPHI on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0rIJPFKW6L pic.twitter.com/stnzXrnr0W— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2023
Hurts finished the first half 12 of 15 passing, for 143 yards and 1 touchdowns. Hurts also has 1 rushing touchdown, and another fumble.
