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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

Takeaways, highlights from first half as Eagles hold a 10-3 lead over Seahawks on MNF

The Eagles are still struggling to score touchdowns in the first half, but Matt Patricia’s revamped defensive unit did enough, as the road team jumped out to a 10-3 first-half lead.

Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts started despite flu-like symptoms and finished the first half 9 of 15 passing, for 79 yards.

Hurts also had six carries for 29 yards and the lone touchdown of the game, his 13th on the season, tying his own Eagles single-season record for quarterbacks.

With the second half underway, here are takeaways and highlights from the first half.

Eagles get all three RB's nvolved early

Dec 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) runs for yards after the catch against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

All three tailbacks – D’Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott – saw the field on the opening drive.

Swift led the charge with 10 carries for 36 yards in the first half, while Gainwell logged 5 carries for 18 yards.

Dallas Goedert

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a pass against Tre Brown #22 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

The Eagles tight end had two catches for 23 yards in the first half, while A.J. Brown led all pass catchers with 3 receptions for 30 yards.

Eagles using motion

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: Kenneth Gainwell #14 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

Looking to shake things up, Philadelphia use a ton of motion and formation shift in the first half.

Eagles first drive

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a pass in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

After three weeks of not supporting their defense, the Eagles offense went 4-4 on third down attempts, and Jalen Hurts led Philadelphia on a 15 plays, 75 yard drive, that ate up 8:29 and ended with the 13th rushing touchdown for the All-Pro.

Matt Patricia starts with a three and out

Dec 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) rushes against Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) and defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle went three and out on their first offensive drive, and Patricia did a good job of anticipating run on second down, and inserting Bradley Roby on DK Metcalf to stop a third down conversion.

Seattle ran 9 plays for 35 yards on their first 2 series, and in the first half, the Birds allowed 82 yards on 20 offensive plays.

Josh Sweat playing at a high level

(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Sweat had 1 tackle, 1 tackle for loss and several pressures in the first half.

Brian Johnson run-pass ratio

Dec 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia ran 37 plays in the first half, as Brian Johnson called 22 rushing plays, and 15 pass plays in a first half where the Eagles dominated the time of possession early on.

3rd downs

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Eagles are 5-of-9 on 3rd down and 1-for-1 on 4th down, playing efficient football that hasn’t translated to touchdown.

In four possessions, Philadelphia has 10 points.

Ball control offese

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a pass in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The best remedy for a struggling defense is long scoring drives, and Philadelphia had two drives of 15 and 16 plays in the first half.

At one point, the Eagles held a 33-9 advantage in offensive plays run at Lumen Field.

Brian Johnson’s offense controlled the clock and line of scrimmage, holding the ball for eight minutes more than the Sehawks (18:14-10:23).

Eagles 3rd down defense

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: Philadelphia Eagles coach Matt Patricia looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

In the first half with Matt Patricia calling the defensive plays, Philadelphia allowed 3 points, 5 first downs and 82 total yards.

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