Nakobe Dean is collecting what he calls “takeaway balls” in the Philadelphia linebackers’ room at their training center.
The latest addition might be the most important yet—Dean’s two-handed, game-saving interception against Trevor Lawrence, marking the linebacker’s first career pick. “I wasn’t doing much else that game,” Dean said.
Saquon Barkley made an impressive backward leap during a standout performance, and Dean went from having a quiet game to making a key play, helping Philadelphia secure its fourth straight win, 28-23 over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night.
“A hell of a play. A big-time moment,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said about Dean’s interception.
Barkley had 27 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 40 yards and another touchdown.
The Eagles (6-2) managed to hold on even after coach Nick Sirianni missed chances to score easy points. The Eagles went 0 for 2 on fourth downs and were 0 for 3 on 2-point conversions, which led them to let Jake Elliott attempt a 57-yard field goal with 2:16 remaining.
Elliott missed, giving the Jaguars (2-7) the ball at their own 47-yard line. Eagles defensive back Avonte Maddox was called for 18 yards in pass interference, which helped move the ball to the Eagles’ 13-yard line.
However, Jacksonville’s second-half comeback ended when Lawrence threw a poor pass that was intercepted in the end zone by Dean.
The Eagles have found their rhythm after the bye week, riding a winning streak led by Hurts and Barkley that has put them in the middle of the NFC East race.
“We took our losses early,” Dean said. “We learned early how to fight through a game. How to build that toughness to play all four quarters. This was a big learning step in how to not get lax when we feel like we dominated the game.”
Hurts completed 18 of 24 passes for 230 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.
DeVonta Smith nearly matched Barkley with a stunning one-handed 25-yard touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter that pushed the Eagles’ lead to 28-16. This play was similar to a catch made by New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson the week before.
“I knew where he was going to be. I have to see if it was a ball that maybe I could have gotten up earlier, but I threw it to a spot where only he could get it,” Hurts said. “And that’s a hell of a play he made.”
However, the missed opportunities still weighed on the Eagles.
“Today it didn’t work. That’s the way it goes. That’s the hat I have to wear,” Sirianni said. “When we get a fourth down and we convert a fourth down, nothing is really said. When we don’t, I understand there will be questions.”
Lawrence completed 16 of 31 passes for 169 yards and two interceptions but ran for two touchdowns for the Jaguars, including a 4-yard scramble with 4:04 left that brought the score to 28-23.
The Eagles owe this win to Barkley. Barkley has been a key free agent addition for the Eagles, shining in another strong performance with what might be the most impressive play of the NFL season.
The jaw-dropping moment came when Hurts passed to Barkley in the second quarter. Barkley faked out one defender and executed a spin move that left another Jaguars player on the ground before he jumped backward over Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones for a 14-yard gain.
The reverse hurdle surprised the Jaguars and led to an Eagles field goal, giving them a 10-0 lead. However, Barkley also made a big mistake.
Lawrence sparked Jacksonville’s second-half comeback by scoring on a 1-yard run and completing a 2-point conversion pass late in the third quarter to bring the score to 22-8.
Then, on the next drive, Barkley fumbled, and Travon Walker picked up the ball and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. The Jaguars closed the gap to 22-16 after another successful 2-point conversion.
“You feel like you’re going to break through it. You’ve had this adversity, and this is the week we’re going to break through it,” Lawrence said.
“And we thought this was the week, and didn’t get it done, didn’t finish. So, it is frustrating, but we know it’s going to turn. We have to keep working. That’s all you can do.”
The Eagles, dressed in their popular throwback Kelly green uniforms, let Barkley take charge of the offense in the first half. Barkley didn’t stick to the usual plays during much of the game.
Before he made the impressive hurdle for a first down, he caught a 20-yard touchdown pass over his shoulder in the corner of the end zone, putting the Eagles up 7-0—this was important for the lead and marked the Eagles’ first points in the first quarter all season.
After an Eagles touchdown was taken away due to offensive pass interference, Barkley got the ball on the next play and rushed 19 yards for a touchdown, making the score 16-0 at halftime.
