Observations: Eagles 49, Raiders 20

Here’s what we saw during today’s Eagles-Raiders game.

OFFENSE

* The question coming in was: How would Nick Foles rebound from his disastrous performance two weeks ago against the Cowboys? Even Foles’ biggest supporters could have never imagined he would come back with one of the best statistical performances in NFL history. Foles completed 22 of 28 passes for 406 yards and tied an NFL record with seven touchdowns. The Eagles routed the Raiders, 49-20, for their fourth win of the season.

* The fireworks started early. Foles hit Riley Cooper on a screen that went for 42 yards on the Eagles’ first possession. He then found Jeff Maehl for 20 yards over the middle and connected with Brent Celek for a touchdown from 2 yards out. Foles completed balls to six different receivers on the Eagles’ first possession.

* On the second possession, the Eagles got Bryce Brown going. Brown ran seven times for 54 yards, easily his best showing of the season. Foles then made a beautiful throw to Cooper for a 17-yard touchdown down the left sideline.

* On the third touchdown, Foles launched a 63-yard bomb to Cooper, who finished with five catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns.

* Foles found Zach Ertz for a 2-yard score in the second quarter. It was the rookie’s first career touchdown. Celek took a screen 24 yards for the big play on the drive. Foles also hit DeSean Jackson for a 17-yard completion on 3rd-and-16.

* The Eagles had the Raiders on the ropes in the second half. Foles motioned LeSean McCoy out wide and then swung a pass to him for a 25-yard touchdown. Oakland somehow did not account for McCoy on the play.

* Then it was Jackson’s turn. The Eagles’ speedy receiver left cornerback Mike Jenkins on the ground and got free for a 46-yard touchdown down the right sideline.

* Later, Foles found Jackson for a 59-yard bomb and then connected with Cooper for his third score – this one from 5 yards out. On the touchdown, Foles bought some time as Cooper got open in the back of the end zone.

* McCoy had 12 carries for 44 yards.

* The Eagles’ offensive line did a great job. And when Foles did face pressure, he did an excellent job of buying time and keeping his eyes downfield.

* The Eagles had managed just three points in their previous two games, but exploded for seven TDs in this one. Matt Barkley came into the game with about nine minutes left in the game.

DEFENSE

* The Eagles’ defense held up well for the most part, allowing two touchdowns (one late with the game out of hand) and a pair of field goals. Terrelle Pryor made plays with his legs, running 10 times for 94 yards, and Rashad Jennings had 102 yards on 15 carries, but Oakland was stuck on 13 points until there was just 52 seconds on the clock.

* Darren McFadden suffered an injury in the first half and finished with just 12 yards on five carries.

* Trent Cole got his first sack of the season in the first quarter and pressured Pryor on multiple occasions. This was the best he’s looked from a pass-rushing standpoint all season.

* The Eagles’ defensive front as a whole did a good job of pressuring Pryor. Mychal Kendricks and Vinny Curry also had sacks. Curry provided pressure throughout. The defense also came up with a pair of turnovers. Bradley Fletcher had an interception in the second half, and so did Connor Barwin.

* In the first half, Kendricks had some trouble containing Pryor, and the Eagles got burned by a few blitzes.

* Pryor completed 22 of 41 passes for 288 yards, no TDs and a pair of picks. He left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury.

* Cedric Thornton nearly sacked Pryor for a safety early on, but the QB escaped and found a receiver downfield for 27 yards.

* The Raiders’ biggest play of the half was a 66-yard completion to Rod Streater on a shallow crossing route. Great hustle by Nate Allen and Brandon Boykin on the play, keeping Streater out of the end zone. Oakland ended up settling for a field goal on the drive.

* Earl Wolff was effective as a blitzer. He had a batted pass on one play and forced an intentional grounding on another.

* DeMeco Ryans had 11 tackles, and Kendricks added 10.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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