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Seahawks 24, Eagles 10: Five quick observations | Paul Domowitch

The Eagles, who have jumped out in front on teams all season long, played from behind all night in their loss to the Seahawks.

Eagles’ Carson Wentz, right, pauses near the sideline after calling a timeout late in the 2nd quarter. Philadelphia Eagles play the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, WA on December 3, 2017.
Eagles’ Carson Wentz, right, pauses near the sideline after calling a timeout late in the 2nd quarter. Philadelphia Eagles play the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, WA on December 3, 2017.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer

No fast start this time

The Eagles, who had outscored opponents in the first quarter, 78-18, in their first 11 games, were down 10-0 at the end of the first quarter and by 10-3 at the end of the first half. It was just the third time they've trailed at the half this season.

Penalties kill

The Eagles, who committed a season-high 11 penalties last week against the Bears, had some costly penalties in the first half, including two illegal blocks that spoiled good kickoff returns and a holding call on Alshon Jeffery that wiped out a 14-yard run by LeGarrette Blount that would have given the Eagles a first down at the Seattle 1-yard line. They also had a couple of defensive holding penalties that kept alive a third-quarter touchdown drive by the Seahawks.

Red-zone struggles

Jeffery's holding penalty killed one red-zone opportunity and forced the Eagles to settle for a Jake Elliott field goal. In the third quarter, Carson Wentz committed his first red-zone turnover of the season, fumbling at the 1-yard line on a run. The ball went through the end zone for a touchback. The Seahawks then drove 80 yards on 11 plays for a touchdown that put them up by 14. The Eagles also had a third-quarter drive stall in the third quarter at the Seattle 25.

Russell Wilson’s fourth-quarter magic

Russell Wilson, who came into the game as the NFL's No. 1-rated fourth-quarter passer, did it again Sunday night. After the Eagles closed to within seven points early in the fourth quarter, Wilson engineered an impressive 10-play, 73-yard scoring drive that included a third-and-8 run that included a pitch to running back Mike Davis. The two collaborated for 23 yards and a critical first down. Four plays later, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to running back J.D. McKissic to put the Seahawks back in front by two scores.

Running backs and tight ends

The Eagles have had off-and-on problems defending running backs and tight ends in the passing game this season. Seven of the 14 touchdown passes they gave up in their first 11 games were to backs and tight ends. On Sunday, Wilson threw one TD pass to tight end Jimmy Graham in the first half and the one in the fourth quarter to McKissic.

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