The Philadelphia Eagles’ trip to London started in the worst way possible. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was ejected after a fight on the opening kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, and the Jaguars grabbed an early 7 to 0 lead. The game kicked off at half past nine Eastern and is airing nationally on NFL Network, with 6abc carrying it in Philadelphia.
If the Trotter name and an early ejection sound familiar, there’s a reason. Eagles fans have seen this movie before.
What happened on the opening kickoff of Eagles vs Jaguars?
It took about 13 seconds for things to boil over. Jaguars rookie Josh Cameron returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for an apparent touchdown, but offsetting penalties wiped it out, including a hold by Jacksonville’s Branson Combs. A scrum broke out at midfield, and when it was over, Jacksonville’s Bryan Thomas Jr. and Philadelphia’s Trotter Jr. were both ejected. The teams then kicked off again.
Philadelphia then went for it on fourth and 1 near midfield and came up short. Jacksonville cashed in right away with a 51 yard touchdown pass to take the lead.
Why does the Trotter Jr. ejection feel like history repeating?
Because his father lived it first. Before Philadelphia’s 2005 season opener on Monday Night Football in Atlanta, Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was ejected for a scuffle near midfield during pregame warmups. Without their top run stopper, the Eagles struggled early as Warrick Dunn piled up yards, Michael Vick ran for a touchdown and Philadelphia fell behind 14 to 0. Donovan McNabb led a comeback attempt, but the Eagles lost that night 14 to 10.
Two decades later, the son is watching from the locker room, his team is trailing, and the Eagles are once again playing catch-up without a Trotter in the middle of the defense.
Who is missing for the Eagles in London?
A lot of firepower. Philadelphia ruled out running back Saquon Barkley and receiver DeVonta Smith, both with hamstring injuries, along with edge rusher Jonathan Greenard (ankle) and Drew Kendall (knee). There is also uncertainty around veteran right tackle Lane Johnson’s roster status as the offensive line gets reshuffled.
That’s why oddsmakers aren’t giving Philadelphia much of a chance. The Eagles came into the game as 7.5 point underdogs, needing a win to avoid falling below .500 for the first time since the 2021 season. Jacksonville arrived with three wins in four games, fresh off a physical 22 to 17 win over the Bengals.
How can you watch or listen to Eagles vs Jaguars?
NFL Network has the national broadcast, which can be streamed on NFL+, the ESPN app or other live TV services. Jacksonville fans can watch on FOX30. Dave Pasch has the play by play, with former Eagles center Jason Kelce and Kurt Warner as analysts and Molly McGrath on the sideline. Kelce calling a London game featuring his old team, without its biggest offensive weapons, is its own storyline.
On the radio, Merrill Reese is calling his 50th season as the Voice of the Eagles, alongside Mike Quick on SportsRadio 94WIP. The Spanish broadcast airs on La Mega 105.7 FM in Philadelphia. Fans outside the United States can watch on DAZN through NFL Game Pass International.
Can the Eagles turn London around?
They have done it here before. The last time Philadelphia played Jacksonville in London, in 2018, the Eagles won 24 to 18 at Wembley Stadium in front of a record crowd of 85,870 that was mostly pulling for Philadelphia. Eagles green has been all over London this week, too.
But the Eagles are now without Barkley, without Smith, and missing a Trotter, the same way they were 21 years ago in Atlanta. Back then, the comeback fell four points short. Whether the son gets a different ending than his father depends on what the Eagles do over the next three quarters.
