Some observations and highlights from the first quarter.
Philadelphia came to play on Sunday, and have so far made this one a tough game through the first quarter of play and lead 10-7.
 Brady's been knocked around early in this game. (FILE:Icon/SMI) |
The Eagles got on the board right away, needing just five plays to take the early 7-0 lead thanks to a 58-yard bomb from Vince Young to Riley Cooper, who beat Kyle Arrington on the play. It got the Eagles down to the Eagles 4-yard line. Two plays later LeSean McCoy took it in from two yards out, and Philadelphia had the lead.
The Patriots couldn't answer after being unable to get anything going on their opening series, with Tom Brady taking some tough shots early. He hit Rob Gronkowski on the first play from scrimmage with a tight end screen, but then threw a couple of incompletions. Watching the replays it appears Philadelphia hit him at least three times on the first drive, and it appears that he's in for a long afternoon.
The Eagles got another big play on their ensuing drive, with DeSean Jackson catching a 44-yard bomb from Young, which took them down to the Patriots 36 yard line. Fortunately New England's defense forced two incompletions, which was followed by a drop by McCoy. Philadelphia then kicked a 43-yard field goal, putting the Eagles up 10-0 w/8:19 to go in the first quarter.
The Patriots managed to put together a long drive on their next possession, but it was an incredibly physical one. Brady took several additional shots from Philly's defense, and Rob Gronkowksi also took one on a 16-yard reception over the middle that had him briefly hunched over. He came off the field briefly, but he returned shortly after. The big play on that drive came on a 3rd and one play where Philadelphia's Derek Landri jumped offsides and gave the Patriots a first down. From there the Patriots completed the drive with a four yard touchdown run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis to cut Philadelphia's lead to 10-7 with 1:27 left to go in the quarter. That completed a 12-play 80-yard drive for New England.
So far Green Ellis has 10 carries for 42-yards, while Brady is 5-of-7 for 47 yards through the first quarter.
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