Eagles special teams come up with another touchdown

When Chip Kelly determined how to improve the Eagles after his first season, he identified special teams. The Eagles prioritized special teams on the free-agent market, and their practices include a heavy emphasis on them.

The results were evident again Sunday in a 34-28 win over the St. Louis Rams. The Eagles' first score came on a blocked punt. They have four special-teams touchdowns this season, including one in each of the last three games.

"We made some key acquisitions in the offseason to add to guys who are really good special teams players," Kelly said. "There are a lot of guys contributing in a lot of different fashions and they came up big today. We'll continue to do it. They are seeing when they play on Sundays that the work they are putting in during the week is paying off."

Sunday's touchdown came in the first quarter after the defense forced the Rams to a three-and-out to open the game. Similar to last week's blocked punt against the 49ers, the Eagles' special teamers noticed an opportunity against the Rams' punt protection.

James Casey shifted before the snap. The veteran tight end, whom Kelly praised after the game, ran unimpeded through the line. So did Trey Burton, who recorded the block last week. A blocker caught up to Burton, allowing Casey to approach punter Johnny Hekker without issue. He jumped forward, knocking the punt down with both hands.

"I never have [blocked a punt] at any level," Casey said. "It was one of those things where it's a rare thing to happen. Luckily we have done it in back-to-back weeks, but you don't see it a ton."

The ball ricocheted sideways, and three Eagles approached it. Malcolm Jenkins appeared in position to gather the ball, but his back was to the end zone. He let Chris Maragos scoop up the ball at the 10-yard line with a running start to the end zone.

"I saw the ball bouncing, and Malcolm did a great job - he could have picked it up - he saw me that I had a clear path to the end zone, so he almost shielded someone off," Maragos said. "It was just a great team effort. I'm just a recipient of those guys' hard work."

The Eagles have built a strong core of special-teams players. Last week, Burton and Brad Smith made their way onto the box score. This week, it was Casey and Maragos. Darren Sproles has been one of the NFL's top punt returners. Chris Polk has a kick-return touchdown. Bryan Braman and Brandon Boykin have made key plays. Cody Parkey has hit crucial kicks, and Donnie Jones has been a steady punter.

"I think we do more work than anybody during the week on special teams, and it's showing on Sundays," Casey said.

But the Eagles spent time last season on special teams, too. The personnel changes have helped, and special-teams coordinator Dave Fipp is finding creative ways to deploy an upgraded unit. They provided a critical touchdown in a game decided by six points on Sunday, and might be needed again during a season in which four results have been decided by a combined 17 points.

"We take a lot of pride in it," Casey said. "We know we're a great unit, but to go out there and demonstrate it just gives us more confidence. But at the same time, we know we're going to have a target on our back."

The Eagles' seven touchdown returns this season lead the NFL, and are the most by a team through five games since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Here they are:

Sept. 7 vs. Jaguars

Fletcher Cox: 17-yard fumble return

Sept. 21 vs. Redskins

Chris Polk: 102-yard kickoff return

Sept. 28 at 49ers

Brad Smith: recovered blocked punt in end zone

Malcolm Jenkins: 53-yard interception return

Darren Sproles: 82-yard punt return

Sunday vs. Rams

Chris Maragos: 10-yard return of blocked punt

Cedric Thornton: fumble recovery in end zone

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