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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

Takeaways and highlights from first half as Eagles hold a 17-10 lead over Dolphins

The Eagles dominated the first half, but a Jalen Hurts fumble and Tyreek Hill’s dominant speed allowed the Dolphins to close to within 17-10 after 30 minutes of exciting action.

Philadelphia dominated time of possession, stopped the explosive Miami rushing attack, and pressured Tua Tagovailoa, sacking the MVP candidate twice.

With the second half underway, here are takeaways from the first half.

Run the ball

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: D’Andre Swift #0 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphinsat Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

With the Eagles looking to keep the Dolphins off the field, D’Andre Swift got carries on the first three plays of the game.

Swift finished the first half with 9 carries for 31 yards.

Control the clock

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Jevon Holland #8 of the Miami Dolphins tackles DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles on a pass play during the first half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The Eagles lead 3-0, and the first drive was an impressive 12-play, 71 yard jaunt that ate up over 7:00 of game time.

Dallas Goedert involved early

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores on a passing touchdown past the defense of Bradley Chubb #2, Jevon Holland #8, and DeShon Elliott #21 of the Miami Dolphins during the first half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Looking to take advantage of mismatches, the Eagles found tight end Dallas Goedert on consecutive 22-yard completions.

The YAC King is back, as Goedert is averaging 16.8 yards per catch, with a long of 22 yards on the evening through one half of play.

Goedert had 4 catches for 67 yards and the one touchdown.

Julio Jones

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Julio Jones #80 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Olamide Zaccheaus got the start in the slot, but Jones saw his first snap in the red zone.

https://twitter.com/ReinerOlivia/status/1716250846474784883

Tyreek Hill involved early

Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Hill had two catches for 15 yards on the Dolphins first drive, and the Eagles had seven players spying on the NFL’s leading receiver.

Hill has 8 catches for 65 yards and the 1 touchdown catch.

Haason Reddick

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Reddick already has a tackle for loss, and just recorded a sack in his fourth straight game.

Tua Tagovailoa

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins warms up prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Tua is 13-16 for 129 yards and 1 passing touchdown against a stout Eagles defense.

Jalen Carter is back

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Jalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Breadman has 1 QB hit and several pressures in a disruptive first half.

Jalen Hurts turnover

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Holding onto the football for too long can be a huge negative and Hurts recorded another lost fumble on the Eagles second possession.

How now has four turnovers in his last five quarters played.

Eagles dominant first quarter

Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles out-gained the Dolphins 73-29 in the first quarter, but only amassed 3 points on a night where they need to score touchdowns.

Eagles shutdown Dolphins run game

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins passes the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Miami entered Sunday night with the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL, but through one half of play, they’ve been held to
Dolphins entered this matchup as the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL in like every category. 4 carries, -7 yards so far.

Philadelphia has only alowed 113 total yards so far to the Dolphins explosive offense in one half of football.

Julio Jones

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Julio Jones #80 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

A.J. Brown was forced into the medical tent, and that provided an opportunity for Julio Jones to snag his first reception with the Eagles.

Jones had one catch for 3 yards in the first half.

Jalen Hurts

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes the ball under pressure from Raekwon Davis #98 of the Miami Dolphins during the first half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Hurts has been scrappy in the first half, and has more than redeemed his terrible perforrmance in Week 6.

Hurts finished the first half 12 of 15 passing, for 143 yards and 1 touchdowns. Hurts also has 1 rushing touchdown, and another fumble.

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