The first half of “Sunday Night Football” between the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons didn't feature pristine quarterback play. In fact, by halftime, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan combined for three interceptions. Wentz two, Ryan one.
Ryan's first-half interception came via Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones with the clock dwindling to go into halftime. The Falcons quarterback targeted wide receiver, Mohammed Sanu, in triple coverage. While Sanu was being hit, the defender behind him, Jones, leaped up to get his first interception of 2019.
Tipped and picked!
Sidney Jones with the takeaway!#PHIvsATL
(Via @NFL)
— PFF (@PFF) September 16, 2019
Jones' interception isn't just his first of 2019; it's the first of his career. It's also his second-straight game where he's impressed. In Week 1, against the Washington Redskins, Jones allowed three receptions on six targets for 25 yards and 61.1 passer rating allowed, per Pro Football Reference.
Despite his solid Week 1 performance, Jones knew he had his work cut out for him when facing Atlanta. He said the week before, via the team's official website:
“When I look at them on tape, they are very explosive players, fast, good ability, all-around players. So, we’ve got to step up. We need to challenge them, we need to compete, we need to pressure the quarterback, and play as a team. That would help everything.”
It appears Jones has been watching them on tape enough, as his first-half interception indicates. Moving forward, it's not just about the film room, it's about health. Jones has struggled to stay on the field throughout his career; he skipped his entire first season due to tearing his Achilles pre-draft. But, as of now, his 2019 is looking bright.
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