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Saturday 8 September 2018
Foles shows off catching skills, Eagles beat Falcons 18-12

By ROB MAADDI zone after struggling inside
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick the opponents' 20 last year.
Foles could end up playing Second-year offensive co-
a new position when Car- ordinator Steve Sarkisian
son Wentz comes back if spent plenty of time in the
he keeps this up. offseason trying to improve
Foles caught another pass the team's scoring efficien-
in a clutch spot to spark cy. Jones only had three
a sputtering offense that TD catches last season. He
looked out of sync and the had 10 receptions for 169
defense picked up right yards but didn't score.
where it left off last time it "It's never discouraging,"
faced Atlanta. Jones said/ "We just got to
After seeing their "world keep working, stick togeth-
champions" banner un- er and make plays and get
veiled, the Philadelphia things called down there."
Eagles took the first step JAY TRAIN
toward trying to become Jay Ajayi had 62 yards rush-
the first team to repeat in ing on 15 carries. His 11-yard
14 years by stopping Matt TD run and 2-point conver-
Ryan to Julio Jones on the sion gave the Eagles a
final play again in an 18-12 lead with 2:25 left. Ajayi ran
victory over the Falcons on in from the 1 on the drive
Thursday night. Foles made the catch.
Foles hardly looked like Su- "I knew I would have a
per Bowl MVP until coach good day if I just stayed be-
Doug Pederson called his ing myself and being the
number in the third quarter Jay Train," Ajayi said.
when the offense needed HEALTHY HICKS
a spark. Foles caught a 15- Eagles linebacker Jordan
yard pass from Nelson Ag- Hicks had 1½ sacks in his first
holor to extend a drive that game since rupturing his
ended with Jay Ajayi scor- Achilles tendon last Octo-
ing the first of his two touch- ber. Hicks also committed
down runs. a penalty on fourth down
"It's great to have it at the that allowed the Falcons to
right time if you can catch have one more play at the
a team (off guard)," Foles end but the defense bailed
said. "Everybody loves a him out.
good trick play." "The ability to get back out
Foles caught a 1-yard TD there and have fun and
pass from tight end Trey celebrate and have pas-
Burton in the first half of Phil- sion no matter the play, it
adelphia's 41-33 win over feels good," Hicks said.
New England in the Super INJURIES
Bowl. Foles asked Pederson Falcons safety Keanu Neal
on the sideline if he wanted left the game with a knee
"Philly Philly" but called the injury in the first half but
play "Philly Special" in the coach Dan Quinn said it
huddle. This one was "Philly doesn't appear serious.
Philly" and Pederson said Long snapper Josh Harris
he borrowed it from New had his streak of 103 con-
England's playbook. Tom secutive games played
Brady dropped that pass. end because of a hip injury.
"Offensively, we were sort Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones, left, cannot catch a pass in the end zone next to Philadelphia Eagles' Wentz, who hasn't been
of misfiring a little bit," Ped- Ronald Darby during the final second of an NFL football game early Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, in medically cleared for con-
erson said. "Just were look- Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 18-12. tact, threw passes and did
ing for a big play, some- Associated Press other drills while wearing a
body to make a play. It felt brace on his left knee dur-
like the right time." on the final play from Phila- is one of the best but we It was the most excitement ing warmups.q
If the Eagles need any help delphia's 5. got the stop." for a while on a hot, muggy
at receiver once Wentz is Jones couldn't come down A weather delay pushed night that seemed more
cleared to play after knee with Ryan's pass from the kickoff back 45 minutes, like an August preseason
surgery last December, 2 in the right corner of the forcing fans to wait a bit game than a playoff re-
Foles is ready to go. end zone in Atlanta's 15-10 longer for the champion- match. Both teams looked
Well, not really. loss in the divisional round in ship ceremony. Wearing his rusty after many starters
A sloppy, mistake-filled January. gold Hall of Fame jacket, didn't play much in pre-
game that featured 26 "It was deja vu," said cor- former safety Brian Dawkins season.
penalties came down to nerback Ronald Darby, riled up the sellout crowd Here are some things we
Ryan throwing an incom- who covered Jones on the with owner Jeffrey Lurie by learned from the game:
plete pass to Jones in the last play this time around in- his side and led a chorus of RED ZONE WOES: The Fal-
left corner of the end zone stead of Jalen Mills. "Jones "Fly Eagles Fly." cons were 1 for 5 in the red