SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 5, 2014
Eagles 34, Rams 28: Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes and host Philadelphia benefited from scores following both a blocked punt and a defensive play for the second straight game before holding off St. Louis.
Defensive end Cedric Thornton recovered two fumbles - including one for a touchdown - and safety Chris Maragos scored following a blocked punt just 23 seconds into the contest. Foles went 24-of-37 for 207 yards and tossed scoring strikes to Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper for the Eagles, who nearly squandered a 27-point lead before improving to 4-1 for the first time since 2006.
Austin Davis went 29-of-49 for 375 yards and tossed two of his three touchdown passes to Brian Quick for the Rams, who fell to 1-3 for the second straight season. Benny Cunningham rushed for a 14-yard score, Kenny Britt reeled in a 30-yard touchdown toss and Quick's second TD brought St. Louis within 34-28 with 4:41 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia jumped out of the blocks in a hurry as James Casey blocked a punt and Maragos scooped up the ball and bolted into the end zone. Rookie Cody Parkey drilled a pair of field goals to extend the advantage before Foles answered the Rams' 11-play touchdown drive with one of his own - capped by a 9-yard fade pass to Cooper to give the Eagles a 20-7 halftime lead.
Philadelphia maintained the intensity to begin the third as Trent Cole celebrated his 32nd birthday by sacking Davis, leading to Thornton recovering the ball before entering the end zone. Thornton's second fumble recovery resulted in Foles connecting with Maclin on a 24-yard touchdown pass give the Eagles a 34-7 lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: In its 26-21 loss to San Francisco last week, Philadelphia saw WR Brad Smith fall on a blocked punt for a touchdown before S Malcolm Jenkins returned an interception 53 yards for a score. ... Eagles RB LeSean McCoy rushed for 81 yards after mustering just 39 on 29 carries over the previous two games. ... Cooper's scoring reception was the Eagles' first offensive touchdown in nearly 6 1/2 quarters.