Eagles Lead Falcons 21-7, But Jackson Leaves With Head Injury

DeSean Jackson left the game with a head injury and will not return. (Photo: Ryan Messick)

The Eagles dominated the Falcons in the first half, racing out to a 21-0 lead.  Unfortunately, the Birds lost wide receiver DeSean Jackson to a head injury after he took a brutal helmet to helmet hit from Dunta Robinson.  Jackson had a rushing and receiving touchdown before the injury, but his return has already been ruled out.  At halftime, the Eagles lead stands at 21-7.

Kevin Kolb shined both before and after Jackson’s injury, completing 16-of-20 passes for 169 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.  The pick was tipped three times before being hauled in by William Moore.

The Eagles opened the game on a tear after the Falcons went 3-and-out. DeSean Jackson took the Birds second play from scrimmage 31 yards to the house on an end around.

The Falcons then moved the ball before Matt Bryant put a field goal off the left-post, giving the Eagles good field position.  Philadelphia used the run to set up the pass on the ensuing drive, with LeSean McCoy runs of 8 and 9 yards as well as a 5-yard first down run by Chad Hall.  Kolb then found Jackson for a 34-yard strike on a post route, putting Philadelphia up 14-0.

Philadelphia forced a pair of three-and-outs, sandwiching a missed field goal by David Akers.  On the Eagles next drive, a raucous Lincoln Financial Field was silenced by the injury of Jackson.

The 5’10 receiver was running over the middle, and a pass was thrown high forcing him to extend to try to make the catch.  Dunta Robinson saw the vulnerable wideout and delivered a devastating helmet-to-helmet hit, which left both players motionless for nearly five minutes.

The Eagles took advantage of the 15-yard penalty on Robinson for hitting a defenseless receiver, with Kolb finding Jeremy Maclin for an 8-yard touchdown.  Maclin laid out to make the catch in the front corner of the end zone, giving the Eagles a 21-0 lead.

It appeared the Eagles would sail into halftime with at least a three touchdown lead, as they took over on an Asante Samuel interception with 2:06 left in the half.  Kolb had a pass tipped three times and picked off by William Moore though, and was then called for a horse collar trying to bring the safety down on the return.

Atlanta took over at the Eagles 31-yardline with 52 seconds left in the half, and moved the ball down to the 1 yardline after a pass interference call on Ellis Hobbs.  Matt Ryan found Tony Gonzalez for a 1-yard touchdown, putting the Falcons on the board with 14 seconds left in the opening half.

The Eagles took a knee after the kickoff, taking a 21-7 lead into the locker room.  Matt Ryan was 10-of-19 for 111 yards, a touchdown and an interception.  Michael Turner carried the ball 10 times but gained just 32 yards.

Jeremy Maclin caught 5 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown and LeSean McCoy ran the ball 9 times for 35 yards while gaining 18 yards on 3 catches.