Better Birds: Wilson, defense, Seahawks soar past Eagles 24-14

The Seattle Seahawks grounded the typically high-flying Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon, dominating on both sides of the ball and winning 24-14.

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It was the first time the Eagles (9-4) had lost at home this season and it improved Seattle’s record to 9-4 after they started the year 3-3.

Russell Wilson led the way on offense, throwing for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns while rushing for 48 more yards and another touchdown.

And Seattle’s defense dominated once again, proving that they are still among the best in the NFL.

The Eagles, who had averaged more than 415 yards per game coming into the contest, had a total of only 139 yards. Philadelphia had possession of the ball for only 18 minutes while Seattle had it for nearly 42.

All in all, it was the kind of performance a Super Bowl contender should have in December. It was a dominant, statement win that the Seahawks needed to keep up with the Arizona Cardinals (10-3) in the NFC West.

The Eagles got on the board first in the opening quarter, but they didn’t necessarily deserve to.

Jon Ryan fumbled a punt that went right through his hands, and as he tried picking it up he dropped it again and the Eagles recovered in Seattle’s red zone.

From there, Mark Sanchez hit Jeremy Maclin on a short screen pass that ended in seven points for the home team. That was the first touchdown Seattle’s defense had allowed since Week 11. Maclin finished with three catches for 21 yards.

Seattle countered with a 10-play, 82 yard drive that ended when Wilson kept the read option and ran 26 yards to tie the game at 7-7. It was his fifth rushing touchdown of the season.

Dec 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles from the pocket against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle and Philadelphia traded possessions with punts until Steven Hauschka hit a 44-yard field goal at the end of the half to give Seattle a 10-7 lead at the break.

The score was close, but statistically Seattle dominated the first half.

They had more plays (47-23), nearly quadruple the total yardage (242-67) and more than double the first half possession time (21:56-8:04).

The Eagles hurry-up offense didn’t work at all in the first half as they punted on four of their five first half possessions, and two of those were 3-and-outs.

Philadelphia started the second half with the ball and their eyes on taking the lead, but LeSean McCoy fumbled on the first play from scrimmage and Seattle recovered. McCoy was a non-factor for much of the game, finishing with 50 yards on 17 carries.

Two plays after the turnover, Wilson found Marshawn Lynch for 15 yards to make it a 17-7 affair. Lynch had 86 rushing yards, and 27 receiving yards.

The Eagles answered with a four-play, 54-yard touchdown drive that ended when Sanchez hit Zach Ertz on blown coverage by K.J. Wright.

Wilson found Doug Baldwin for a 23-yard score on the Seahawks next possession to make it a 24-14 game with 9:01 left in the third quarter. Baldwin had a great day, catching five passes for 97 yards.

Both teams were held scoreless until the fourth quarter and the Seahawks ultimately won 24-14.

Both teams forced a pair of turnovers — the Seahawks lost two fumbles while the Eagles lost a fumble and threw an interception. Tharold Simon was responsible for that interception early in the fourth quarter, his first of the season.

The Seahawks finished with 28 first downs to the Eagles nine, more total yards (440-139), and their ball control, in terms of possession time, of the season (41:56-18:04).

Seattle will travel back to CenturyLink Field now to take on the San Francisco 49ers (7-6) for the second time in three weeks.

If the Seahawks win each of their last three games, they will be NFC West champions.