The Eagles’ offense might be a mess, but their special teams and defensive units have given them hope this season.
On Sunday, Philadelphia’s do-everything running back, Darren Sproles, gave the Eagles a 10-0 first-quarter lead with a remarkable punt return for a touchdown against the New York Jets. Jets punter Ryan Quigley lifted a punt deep into Eagles territory, but the shifty, 5-foot-6 Sproles eluded several tacklers — including Quigley — on his way to the 89-yard score.
Sproles’s touchdown was the Eagles’ eighth special teams touchdown since the beginning of last season. That’s twice as many as any other team in the league.