AJ Brown vs Jaire Alexander (2024) | WR vs CB Matchup

so now second and 15 back to the shotgun where the Eagles operated 93% of the time last year most in the NFL Herz looking to throw loads it up incomplete a little too tall for AJ Brown as we check in with Kaye yeah goty in the back of the defense third and a long one Herz over the middle it's caught Flags down Brown has the catch offside Defense number 97 the penalty a CL the result of play is a first down yeah there you see it right in the middle again more motion pre- snap getting AJ Brown now involved Herz hit as he throws it's caught Brown makes a man miss Alexander whiffed on the tackle and brown with a first down and a whole lot more this is a courageous throw by Jaylen Herz because there's an unblocked guy coming right and going to hit him right in the back he knows it's coming he knows it's not protected he gets the ball out right on time and AJ Brown does a nice job of eluding the best cover corner on this team Alexander and turning it into a big game goes for 20 from the pack eagles with another chance hers over the middle incomplete tight coverage by Alexander on AJ Brown a little pushing and shoving after the fact [Applause] Alexander told us before the game this receiving core is Elite a fast start by this defensive backfield was going to be necessary and they certainly had that in the first quarter but Philadelphia's found some Rhythm here in the second that's a low throw pretty tight coverage by Alexander these two matched up against each other when they matched up in 2022 he lined up against AJ Brown 13 times in that game Brown was only targeted twice and no receptions Devonte Smith had a little more success going against Alexander they're matched up again Herz looking that way it's caught Brown first down sheds the tackle of Alexander and yeah talk your talk after the fact well the thing about AJ Brown he's such a big body and he has strong hands I mean he snatches the football a great catcher of the ball low throw just reaches down there and effortlessly makes that catch with time lofs it over the top Brown's got it there goes AJ Brown blinding speed Brown touchdown 67 [Music] [Applause] yds Jer [Music] Alexander is going to try to take a little steam out of AJ Brown too strong and too big to do that watch the strength of AJ Brown he's got the speed to run by you but the strength to shake off that little bump creates separation and hurts with the perfect throw and then the top end speed at the end of the route to turn it in the touchdown strength to get open speed to get it to the end zone we already saw Jordan Love's longest touchdown pass of his career that's the second longest touchdown pass Jaylen Hertz career as Elliot tacks on the extra point and makes it a fivepoint Eagles Advantage so the first touchdown of the year for AJ Brown is 43rd of his career and Jer Alexander said to us he wants more targets he's getting his wish so far yeah and this is where Jaylen Herz over the last couple years has really made his money outside the numbers throwing to AJ Brown particularly and Devonte [Music] Smith this Eagle offense again we just talked talked about all the weapons and the offensive line and the folks back in Philly loving this little double dip they score the field goal to end the first half just get it off hers flushed Herz directing traffic looking in zone oh it's picked off Jer Alexander looking to take it out developing Alexander Trek down by Smith he didn't have a single interception in the regular season last year but he said when it's money time that's where I'm ready to go had one in the postseason and he comes up with a huge pick right here first time Herz gets outside the pocket but makes a costly decision throwing across his body in the Red Zone intercepted Jer Alexander who who said you know I've only really gotten two or three targets per game in the last couple years is why the interceptions are down but he's very out late let's go back to the interception by Jer Alexander number 23 watch him just kind of fall back into this a ill advised throw by Jaylen Herz to throw back across his body but an instinctive play by Alexander Herz in trouble dangerous right in the direction of Alexander again blanketing AJ brown but another flag is down on the field well this is going to be an El ineligible man downfield on Philadelphia which could back him up further in player illegally downfield offense number 51 the penalties declined it's third down so called on Jurgens the center take a look at this matchup that we were real excited about coming in great job by AJ Brown actually becoming defender on that play final 3 seconds from Brazil Willis slips Willis steps up goes down game Ender who else but Zack Bon what a day the linebacker seals it and the Eagles in this battle of heavyweights start the season with a win [Music]