Eagles falter as the Falcons and Kirk Cousins have the last laugh over Jalen Hurts in a stunning 22-21 loss

PHILADELPHIA — With 1:39 remaining in the fourth quarter, down by six points, the Atlanta Falcons stormed 70 yards down the field and spoiled the Eagles’ home opener.

Kirk Cousins, the familiar Week 2 foe who signed with the Falcons in the offseason, completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Drake London to pull off a 22-21 comeback win on Monday night. The Eagles got the ball back at their own 30-yard line with 34 seconds left, but Jalen Hurts tossed an interception to Jessie Bates III to seal the Falcons’ victory.

Here’s our instant analysis of the Eagles’ first loss of the season:

Defense bends, eventually breaks

In its season opener against the Green Bay Packers, the Eagles defense limited the Packers offense to a 25% success rate in the red zone. That bend-but-don’t-break mentality initially carried over to the home opener. On three straight trips deep into Eagles territory in the second and third quarters, Cousins and the Falcons offense settled for three field goal attempts, taking a 9-7 lead after the third.

However, the Eagles weren’t able to keep the Falcons out of the end zone for long. On their next possession in the third quarter, they strung together a seven-play, 70-yard drive, capped off by a 41-yard touchdown reception by Darnell Mooney with C.J. Gardner Johnson in coverage. The Falcons went up 15-10 after an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt. He broke Gardner-Johnson’s tackle and somersaulted into the end zone for the touchdown.

Late in the fourth quarter, Cousins spearheaded a six-play, 70-yard drive, capped off by London’s touchdown reception with Darius Slay trailing in coverage. Cousins finished the night going 20 for 29 for 241 yards and two touchdowns for a 117.2 passer rating. He was sacked once by Milton Williams in the third quarter.