In their first home game of the season, Philadelphia Eagles’ Aussie left tackle Jordan Mailata had a solid outing in a narrow 17-11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Mailata’s second start of the 2021 season saw him line up against formidable 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa. After a sensational game last week off the back of inking a four-year contract extension – reportedly worth up to an astounding $108.7 million with $55.5 million guaranteed – Mailata was welcomed onto Lincoln Field to a huge applause.
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That buzz quickly faded though as the Eagles failed to take their opportunities on offence despite a promising start.
San Francisco’s stingy defence shut down quarterback Jalen Hurts a week after Philadelphia dominated Atlanta in an impressive 32-6 win.
Bosa, the 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year, managed to out-muscle Mailata one-on-one to make a sack on Hurts and made another sack against blocking tight ends. Bosa also forced a fumble, but made just three total tackles in the game.
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Bosa still showcased his shifty speed and strength that at times proved a handful for Mailata, but overall, the Sydney product who only took up American football in 2018, kept Bosa fairly quiet.
Depending on which NFL pundit you listened to though, the reaction was mixed on who came out on top in the defensive end vs left tackle battle between the pair.
Some NFL analysts sided with Mailata.
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While others had Bosa winning the match-up.
“Power, change of direction, effort,” NFL analyst Brian Baldinger said of Bosa’s performance in week two against the Eagles.
“This is what he lives for – hunting quarterbacks. It’s the family business.
“Here comes Bosa against Mailata. He drives that inside shoulder with power. It’s just meet at the quarterback [as the offensive line folds] and Bosa gets there first.
“In two games Bosa has three sacks and he’s getting to the quarterback.”
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Bosa said he was content with his effort up against Mailata for a majority of the game.
“Definitely better. I thought I rushed better,” Bosa said. “I think every week I’ll get better. Just getting used to the flow of the game and setting things up and being smart with my rushes, and not showing everything too early.
“I’m definitely happier with that day of rushing.”
Mailata was not always on the backfoot against Bosa and the 49ers.
One highlight showed him steamrolling the San Francisco defensive line, clearing the way for his running back to get a first down.
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Eagles legend and two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Long gushed about what he saw in Mailata up against Bosa.
“Mailata has done a really nice job setting inside out on Bosa and not giving up power,” the former defensive end tweeted.
“I never knew he’d be this dependable at LT. Never. Kid deserves a lot of credit!!! But so does Stout [offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland]. Great coach.”
And in the most bizarre compliment Mailata has probably ever received, during the broadcast NFL commentator and three-time Super Bowl champion guard Mark Schlereth made an unusual analogy about the Aussie.
“If I had a coffee shop I’d have a drink called ‘The Mailata’,” Schlereth said.
“It would be the biggest drink you’ve ever seen, and you’d need a doctor’s note to order it, there’d be so much caffeine in it.”
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To make the loss sting that little bit more for the Eagles, they copped injuries to right guard Brandon Brooks (chest) and beloved defensive end Brandon Graham (ankle). Brooks’ injury pushed rookie offensive lineman Landon Dickerson into the right guard position for an unexpected NFL debut. Veteran O-lineman Jason Kelce said despite the Eagles stuttering output on offense, there were some “bright spots”.
“Obviously it’s a tough situation to be thrown into. He didn’t get a whole training camp and everything, but I think Landon did a hell of a job,” Kelce said.
“They’re a good defence and I know we’ve got a lot to improve on across the board. Little mistakes here and there. It’s tough to narrow down one thing. I think that it was really, really close.
“We had some bright spots, but ultimately, it’s little mistakes, whether it’s penalties… I think it’s across the board little things that we can do to get better, myself included.
“It’s never positive when you lose, but it’s all correctable.”
Dazzling in the season opener, Hurts again had the Eagles on the precipice of a touchdown early, when he dropped back in his own end zone, and hit wide receiver Quez Watkins in stride down the sideline for a 91-yard pass play. But five plays later – including a bit of attempted trickery on wideout Greg Ward’s pass attempt to Hurts – the Eagles finished with an empty possession.
The fifth-longest pass play in franchise history, and the second-longest without a TD, ended without a score and would haunt the Eagles.
Hurts underthrew his receivers and underperformed in the second half, and injuries to Brooks and Graham hit the Eagles hard in the San Francisco 49ers’ victory on Sunday.
Hurts completed just 12 of 23 passes for 190 yards. He ran for 82 yards, including a one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“We had a lot of opportunities we didn’t capitalise on,” Hurts said post-game.
“We have to be consistent in our execution. I have to be consistent in my execution as field general. A lot to learn.”
“Lot of things out there were in our control,” Hurts said. “That’s what hurts the most.”
Up next for the Philadelphia Eagles is NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys.
– with AP