Alliance... » The group shut down Matt Ryan and the Atlanta

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — While the offense finds it rhythm Jordan Matthews Jerseys Stitched , the Philadelphia Eagles know they can count on a smothering defense. Falcons again in their season opener and now have a few extra days rest before hitting the road next week. Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox dominated while playing 93 percent of the snaps in the 18-12 victory.“It’s a credit to him and how well he’s worked in the offseason and obviously in training camp,” coach Doug Pederson said Friday. “Fletcher is a tremendous, tremendous player. He’s a strong, powerful guy, very disruptive in the pocket. Those are things that you like to see from your top players.”The Falcons were held to 299 total yards, including 74 rushing. Ryan struggled most of the night Youth Timmy Jernigan Jerseys , going 21 of 43 for 251 yards and one interception.Philadelphia’s defense did its best work inside the red zone. Kamu Grugier-Hill stopped Devonta Freeman on fourth down from the 1 on the opening series and need a stand to seal the win. The defense forced Ryan to throw four straight incomplete passes from the 10 on the final possession only to have a penalty give the Falcons one more chance from the 5. Ronald Darby prevented Julio Jones from making a catch in the left corner of the end zone on the last play .“We put a big emphasis on red zone,” safety Malcolm Jenkins said. “Our scheme is pretty simple, we’re really good at what we do, we detail every small thing, and we trust our players. When we get down to it, it’s nothing complex or anything. We just do our jobs and we trust our matchups. Obviously guys show up Timmy Jernigan Jerseys Stitched , and it’s been crucial for our team.”The offense took a while to get going after a shaky preseason in which most starters didn’t play much. With Carson Wentz still recovering from knee surgery and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery also sidelined, the unit was out of sync.Nick Foles wasn’t sharp but played mistake-free until a pass bounced out of rookie Dallas Goedert’s hands and went right to Atlanta’s Deion Jones. But Pederson turned to his trick plays and called Foles’ number in the third quarter to invigorate the offense and the crowd. Nelson Agholor’s 15-yard pass to Foles extended a drive that ended with Jay Ajayi’s first of two TD runs.“I knew the play was going to be effective based on what the Falcons had been showing up in that situation, and I needed it to work and be a spark for the offense,” Pederson said. “I try not to do things as conventional at times, but at the same time, I want to make sure that I’m doing the best for the football team and giving us a chance to succeed.”The Eagles will play at Tampa Bay on Sept. 16. They came out of the opener without any significant injuries and will get linebacker Nigel Bradham back against the Buccaneers. He served a one-game suspension Thursday night. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was sidelined by a hamstring injury on Sunday Youth Chance Warmack Jerseys , and Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay, Denver Broncos right tackle Jared Veldheer and New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung were among a group of players diagnosed with concussions.Fitzgerald got hurt in the second half of Arizona’s 34-0 loss at the Los Angeles Rams. The 35-year-old Fitzgerald finished with three receptions for 28 yards.Slay left Detroit’s 30-27 loss at San Francisco in the third quarter. Jimmy Garoppolo finished with 206 yards passing and two touchdowns for the 49ers.Veldheer departed in the second half of Denver’s 20-19 win over Oakland. The 31-year-old Veldheer was acquired in a trade with Arizona in March.New England also lost defensive end Trey Flowers to a concussion. Flowers was injured in the first quarter of the Patriots’ 31-20 loss at Jacksonville when he collided with teammate Keionta Davis. Chung was injured in the second half.Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson and receiver Donte Moncrief departed with left knee injuries. Moncrief caught a touchdown pass on Jacksonville’s opening drive.New York Jets tight end Neal Sterling and Carolina Panthers safety Da’Norris Searcy also were sidelined by concussions.New Orleans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins left in the fourth quarter of the Saints‘ 21-18 victory over Cleveland after taking a hit to the head. He said after the game his facemask was pushed into his nose but he did not have a concussion.The Rams had to scramble after kicker Greg Zuerlein was sidelined by a groin injury. They were successful on three 2-point conversions, and punter Johnny Hekker made a 20-yard field goal in the second quarter and an extra point in the fourth.The injuries are piling up for the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. Running back Jay Ajayi (back), receiver Mike Wallace (ankle) and tackle Jason Peters (quad) left in the first half of Sunday’s 27-21 loss at Tampa Bay. Ajayi returned at the start of the second half, finishing with 23 yards rushing on seven carries.Philadelphia already was without receiver Alshon Jeffery and running back Darren Sproles due to injuries.Minnesota lost starting right tackle Rashad Hill to a right ankle injury in the third quarter of its 29-29 tie with Green Bay. Hill was helped off the field and then carted to the locker room after getting to the sideline.