Locals in NFL: Ryan Mathews makes most of opening in Philadelphia

Former Fresno State star Ryan Mathews regained NFL relevance in Week 3, flashing the form that twice led him to 1,000-yard seasons.

After totaling four yards on four carries in the first two weeks, Mathews rushed 24 times for 108 yards and had two receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia’s 24-17 victory over the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Eagles were without DeMarco Murray (hamstring).

“This is not my first rodeo,” Mathews said. “I’ve played the game before. I’ve started the game before. It was fun to be back out there and run and step in for a great running back.”

Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Mathews “does a nice job with the ball in his hands and can break contact at the line of scrimmage.

“Sometimes when there’s not a real huge hole there that anybody can get through, I think when it’s even there’s an arm tackle, something like that, he’s a big, physical runner and obviously runs behind his pads really well,” Kelly said. “He did a nice job after contact.”

Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said his running backs aren’t the type who need 30-plus carries to make a difference.

“(Mathews has) the ability to go the distance,” he said. “So in our opinion, we don’t have those types of guys where they have to get a lot of touches to get going. We feel like they can get a touch and make a play.”

On the third play of the opening drive, Mathews’ first carry went for 27 yards.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve had carries like that, but it’s fun,” Mathews said. “It’s a great feeling, especially after a win. I’m going to come back and watch film tomorrow, work on our mistakes and get better and get ready for next week.”

▪ Eagles wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu (Fresno State) had a special-teams tackle; Philadelphia linebacker Mychal Kendricks (Hoover) was inactive because of a hamstring injury.

Davison caught up – Former Fresno State star Tyeler Davison, now with New Orleans, earned unexpected attention when he avoided a flag for a sideline hit on Carolina quarterback Cam Newton.

After the Panthers defeated the Saints 27-22, Newton said he was told by referee Ed Hochuli that a flag was not thrown on the fourth-quarter play because the quarterback “wasn’t old enough.” But the NFL declined an extensive investigation, with vice president of officiating Dean Blandino telling the NFL Network that Hochuli was adamant that he never said what was alleged.

Davison told reporters Monday he did not hear anything.

“I remember I reached out to grab him and then he pump-faked it,” he said. “I reached out to grab him, he still had the ball and he threw it away. You know, at the same time we’re running full speed and kind of got tangled up and fell. It looks worse in film than it was in real life. I can see why they didn’t call it. I didn’t think it was a penalty at all.”

Davison didn’t record a tackle. Ben Jacobs (Fresno State) had a special-teams tackle for the Panthers.

Et cetera – Oakland’s Derek Carr (Fresno State) completed 20 of 32 for 314 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-20 victory over Cleveland. In the past two games, Carr has completed 50 of 78 passes for 665 yards and five touchdowns against one interception for a 107.1 rating.

Carr became the first Raiders quarterback to pass for 300-plus yards in back-to-back wins since Kerry Collins in 2004.

Browns receiver Marlon Moore (Fresno State) had a catch for 15 yards.

▪ Green Bay wide receiver and former Fresno State star Davante Adams (ankle) left Monday’s game after one series in an eventual 38-28 win over Kansas City. Adams missed the Packers’ light practice Wednesday.

▪ Former Fresno State stars Derron Smith and Chris Carter didn’t record a tackle in Cincinnati’s 28-24 victory over Baltimore.

▪ Dallas fullback Tyler Clutts (Clovis High/Fresno State) played but didn’t record a statistic in a 39-28 loss to Atlanta. Falcons tackle Bryce Harris (Tulare/Fresno State) was inactive.

▪ Tampa Bay left guard Logan Mankins (Fresno State) made his 149th career start as the Buccaneers fell to Houston 19-9. Mankins is in his 11th season, spending his first nine with New England.

▪ Minnesota linebacker Eric Kendricks (Hoover) finished with a team-high nine tackles as the Vikings outlasted San Diego 31-14. Chargers guard/tackle Kenny Wiggins (Fresno State) played in his third career game.

▪ New England center Ryan Wendell (Fresno State) was inactive because of an illness. The Patriots beat Jacksonville 51-17.

▪ Pittsburgh safety Robert Golden (Edison) had a tackle and St. Louis safety T.J. McDonald (Edison) finished with eight as the Steelers defeated the Rams 12-6. Rams offensive lineman Cody Wichmann (Fresno State) was inactive.

▪ Virgil Green (Tulare) had one catch for 26 yards in Denver’s 24-12 victory over Detroit.

This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Locals in NFL: Ryan Mathews makes most of opening in Philadelphia."