Eagles Survive Tennessee 24-20 On Late Darius Cooper Touchdown

Former undrafted free agent Darius Cooper was the hero on Sunday, Sept. 20, when the Philadelphia Eagles needed a last-minute touchdown to survive their road date with the Tennessee Titans 24-20. The Eagles (2-0) trailed by a field goal with two minutes to play after Jalen Hurts threw an interception in plus territory, setting up a long go-ahead drive; Jalen Carter erupted through the line of scrimmage to sack Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward on first-and-goal, pushing the Titans well behind the chains and giving the Eagles a chance to win the game.

The interception marked the second back-breaking mistake from Hurts on the afternoon; he threw another pick in the first quarter that Tennessee safety Amani Hooker returned 92 yards to the Eagles’ 10-yard line, setting up a short scoring drive that put the Titans in front. For all his struggles, Hurts rose to the occasion with the game on the line, finding Dontayvion Wicks and Devonta Smith for deep shot completions on third down as the Eagles rushed downfield.

Ups and Downs On Offense

Philadelphia played without key contributors for most of the game: Saquan Barkley left after their first offensive snap with a stinger but managed to make it back on the field for the second half, while Dallas Goedert suffered a right knee injury and never returned despite the injury report listing him as questionable.

The Eagles melted through the clock in the first half, logging three drives that chewed more than six and a half minutes off the clock. Tank Bigsby punched in a two-yard touchdown to tie the game early in the second quarter, then Hurts found Smith late in the frame for a 22-yard touchdown dart on second-and-19.

The Eagles left enough time on the clock for a Tennessee field goal drive. Philadelphia’s offense stagnated out of the break, although a short punt set up a 58-yard kick from Jake Elliott. Ward tied the game late in the third, capping a seven-minute drive with a one-yard touchdown run; the Eagles seemed poised to go back in front midway through the fourth after a methodical drive, setting up Hurts’ second interception of the game.

The Eagles’ road trip will continue on Monday, Sept. 28 at Soldier Field, where they’ll face the Chicago Bears at 8:15 p.m.