D’Andre Swift, a Philadelphia native and standout from St. Joe’s Prep, had an exceptional performance in his first regular-season game in his hometown.
He ran for an impressive 175 yards and a touchdown, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 34-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Swift’s prevailing performance included a 43-yard carry in the fourth quarter that made a crucial red zone opportunity for the Eagles.
With Kenneth Gainwell out due to injury, Swift took full advantage of his opportunity as the first-team running back. Despite being down 27-7 in the third quarter, the Vikings refused to quit and mounted a comeback. They had two scoring drives to cut the lead to 27-21, with Kirk Cousins connecting with Jordan Addison and KJ Osborn for touchdowns. However, the Vikings’ efforts fell short as the Eagles held on for the win. The first half of the game was packed with turnovers, with one critical turnover occurring in the final minute.
Justin Jefferson caught a 30-yard pass but fumbled the ball outside the pylon, resulting in a touchback for the Eagles. Philadelphia capitalized on this missed opportunity with a 61-yard field goal by Jake Elliott, matching the longest field goal in franchise history.
DeVonta Smith also had a memorable performance for the Eagles, with three catches for 123 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown that extended their lead to 27-7 in the third quarter. Jalen Hurts contributed two rushing touchdowns, bringing his career total to nine games with two rushing touchdowns. The Eagles’ win can be attributed to their return to a strong ground game, with Swift leading. They also showcased an opportunistic defense that forced four fumbles and contained Justin Jefferson until late in the game.
On the other hand, the Vikings struggled with an injured offensive line and missed opportunities. Despite their efforts to mount a comeback, they only partially controlled the game. The turning point came when the Vikings had a chance to take the lead right before halftime but fumbled the ball, erasing a critical opportunity for points. The Eagles capitalized on this turnover with a long field goal, giving them momentum going into halftime. The game’s play belonged to DeVonta Smith, who set the tone early with a spectacular catch over a defender, helping the Eagles get on the scoreboard first. The Eagles will have a long break before their “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. The Vikings will aim to secure their first win when they face the Los Angeles Chargers at home.
