Miami Dolphins vs Philadelphia Eagles Match Player Stats On Nov 15, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Nov 15, 2015

PHILADELPHIA -- The Miami Dolphins scored the game-winning points on a deflected pass in the fourth quarter as they overcame an early deficit to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-19 on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Dolphins (4-5) took a 20-16 lead after a pass from quarterback Ryan Tannehill was batted high into the air at the line of scrimmage by Eagles linebacker Conner Barwin. The ball eventually landed in the arms of Miami receiver Jarvis Landry in the end zone with 14:55 left to play.

The Eagles (4-5) played the fourth quarter without starting quarterback Sam Bradford, who was knocked out of the game with a left shoulder injury late in the third quarter with the Eagles leading 16-13. He was hurt when he was sacked by Dolphins linebacker Chris McCain. X-rays on Bradford's shoulder were negative, but he was also diagnosed with a concussion and sat out the rest of the game and was replaced by Mark Sanchez.

And Sanchez, in his first action of the year, made a critical mistake late in the fourth quarter when the Eagles, trailing by one point, had the ball on the Miami 9-yard line. Sanchez tried to force a pass to receiver Miles Austin and it was intercepted by safety Reshard Jones with 4:26 left to play.

The Dolphins took a 3-0 lead on their first possession on Andrew Franks 42-yard field goal. But it didn't take the Eagles long to answer -- on their first play from scrimmage, Bradford hit tight end Brent Celek on a short crossing pattern and Celek took off down the sideline for a 60-yard gain, to the Miami 4. Two plays later, Bradford found wide receiver Josh Huff open in the end zone for a 7-0 lead, the first time the Eagles have scored on their opening drive all season and just their second first-quarter touchdown of the year.

The Eagles added to that after a couple of Miami miscues, including a botched kickoff return in the end zone by Damien Williams that put the ball on the Dolphins 1. Tannehill dropped to pass in the end zone and was blindsided by blitzing safety Walter Thurmond and fumbled out of the end zone for a safety, giving the Eagles led 9-6 with 8:38 left in the opening period.

And the Eagles weren't finished with the first quarter. After taking the ensuing free kick, Philadelphia marched 58 yards in 10 plays, with running back Ryan Mathews scoring from the 1 to make it 16-3 with 4:43 left in the period.

Then, the Dolphins got the break they needed. Trailing 16-6 late in the second quarter, Zach Vigil blocked a punt to give Miami possession on the Eagles 12, and on second down Tannehill connected with running back Lamar Miller for a 13-yard touchdown that cut the Eagles lead to 16-13 with 5:52 left in the first half.

NOTES: Among Miami's deactivations was starting RT Ja'Wuan James, who has a toe injury. He was replaced by OT Jason Fox. ... Dolphins starting CB Brent Grimes was also deactivated due to illness. He was replaced by rookie CB Bobby McCain, a fifth-round pick from Memphis. ... Eagles LT Jason Peters missed his second straight game with a back injury. He was replaced again by OT Lane Johnson and OT Dennis Kelly took over Johnson's RT spot. ... Eagles rookie WR Nelson Agholor was active after missing the last three games with a hamstring injury, but WR Josh Huff started in his place.