Now that was the Eagles’ defense we saw at the start of the season.
And it completely wrecked Sam Bradford’s return to Philadelphia.
The Eagles didn’t get a ton going offensively Sunday, but they didn’t need to. The offense did just enough late, special teams came up big and Jim Schwartz’s unit was absolutely impenetrable as the Eagles beat the Vikings, 21-10, at the Linc.
With the win, the Eagles improved to 4-2 and prevented a three-game losing streak. They also handed the Vikings (5-1) their first loss of the season.
While Schwartz’s defense is predicated on the front four getting pressure without blitzing, he dialed up a ton of them Sunday and really seemed to get Bradford off his game in his return to the Linc.
After taking an 11-3 lead into the second half, the Eagles scored their first offensive touchdown since the Detroit game on the tail end of a 77-yard drive. Carson Wentz hit Dorial Green-Beckham for DGB’s first touchdown as an Eagle.
The Eagles also benefitted from four Vikings turnovers on the day. The Eagles had four turnovers too, but were able to overcome them.
The Eagles have allowed 10 or fewer points in three of their first six games. This is the first time they’ve done that since 2000 and the ninth time they’ve done it in franchise history. They would have held the Vikings to three points without a garbage-time touchdown with 34 seconds left.
Through six games, the Eagles have a point differential of plus-68. That’s the best point differential they’ve had through six games since 2004 (77).
Turning point
Josh Huff returned a second-quarter kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles their first lead of the game. He flipped into the end zone for his second-career kick return touchdown.
This is the first time in Eagles’ history they’ve had back-to-back weeks with kick return touchdowns.
Key stat
The Eagles sacked Bradford six times Sunday and applied constant pressure from everywhere. Sunday was the first six-sack game for the Eagles since 2014.
First half
The Eagles took an 11-3 lead into the locker room after a bizarre first half. The first quarter saw six combined first downs and five turnovers for a 0-0 score after a long 15 minutes.
The second quarter finally brought some scoring. The Vikings kicked things off with a 48-yard Blair Walsh field goal.
The Eagles got on the board when Huff returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards. Then the Eagles added a field goal late in the second quarter.
While the Eagles’ defense blitzed and got to Sam Bradford in the first half, their offense wasn’t great. Carson Wentz completed just 45 percent of his first-half passes for 53 yards and two interceptions.
Still, the Eagles' defense allowed just a field goal and forced the Vikings into three turnovers.
Offensive stud
The offensive line, even with a couple injuries, had a pretty good day protecting Wentz, who wasn’t sacked.
Offensive dud
Wentz didn’t have his best performance. He had just one interception coming into Sunday and threw two in the first half. He did do enough to help the Eagles hang on for the win, though.
Defensive stud
Rodney McLeod had a big game. He had a sack, a forced fumble and an interception all in the first half. McLeod wasn’t the only one. Brandon Graham, Malcolm Jenkins and Connor Barwin also made big plays.
And Schwartz really deserves a game ball. He called an incredible game.
Defensive dud
No Eagle deserves this award from Sunday.
Injuries
Bennie Logan (groin) was inactive after missing practice all week.
The Eagles lost corner Ron Brooks with a right leg injury in the first quarter. It looked serious and it sounds even worse. CSN's Derrick Gunn reports Brooks has a right knee inury that will require surgery. The Philadelphia Daily News' Les Bowen reported Sunday that Brooks ruptured his quadriceps muscle and will require season-ending surgery. Linebacker/special teamer Kamu Grugier-Hill hurt his hamstring and left early.
Brandon Brooks (ankle) left briefly but returned. Jason Peters (bicep) also suffered an injury, but it didn’t seem too serious; he never went into the locker room. After the game, Brooks and Peters both said they were fine. Peters said if the game was close he would have returned.
Up next
Two straight division games. The Eagles travel to Dallas next week to face the Cowboys and then drive to North Jersey to face the Giants the following week.