PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles rookie Jordan Matthews wowed observers during practices all summer. The rookie wide receiver from Vanderbilt caught everything thrown his way throughout OTAs and training camp.
Last Monday night, in Indianapolis, Matthews dropped a couple of passes. Two weeks into his NFL career, Matthews had three catches for a total of 54 yards.
On Sunday afternoon, in his first game against an NFC opponent, Matthews caught eight passes for 59 yards, including a pair of touchdowns.
It was a big game for the second-round pick, made bigger by the presence on the Washington Redskins sideline of DeSean Jackson. The former Eagles Pro Bowler caught an 81-yard touchdown pass, setting up a scenario where the Eagles' current wideouts looked shabby by comparison.
Instead, Matthews and Jeremy Maclin caught three touchdown passes in the Eagles' 37-34 victory.
"Other things aside," Matthews said, "the main thing is that we were able to come out and get a win. They are close [games], so I know that Coach [Chip] Kelly is losing some hair. So we have to put some more points on the board. At the same time, we are doing great. The main goal is to go 1-0 each week."
Matthews' touchdowns both came in the red zone. On both, he lined up in the slot and got open behind the defender.
"Jordan's second touchdown catch was in a tight window," quarterback Nick Foles said. "So he really did a good job of focusing on the ball. I was proud of those guys."
Asked the key to his success, Matthews' reply was immediate.
"Nick Foles," he said. "Absolutely, Nick Foles in the red zone. He put the ball in a perfect place for me to make a play. I got a couple of good matchups against the middle linebackers, so he knew to put the ball high for me to get. I couldn't ask for better throws from him."
Matthews became the eighth Eagles rookie to catch two touchdown passes in one game. His eight catches were the most by an Eagles rookie since tight end Keith Jackson caught eight in 1988.
"That's like a trivia question," Matthews said. "I don't know. I'm just glad we got the win."
