Jahan Dotson fought through and found his way to making his first TD catch with the Eagles

Jahan Dotson wasn’t the intended target on the play that would result in his first touchdown catch with the Eagles.

Dotson, the team’s third receiver, was supposed to be clearing the way for A.J. Brown. But the offensive line gave Jalen Hurts almost seven seconds of protection, and Hurts waited for a receiver to find his way open. Instead of Brown, Dotson was the one to finally shake loose.

“It was actually a clear-out route,” Dotson said. “I wasn’t even supposed to turn my head for the ball, just opening that window for A.J. Kudos to our offensive line. He had forever and a day back there, and as I’m working my move in the back of the end zone, I see him just standing back there, so I tried to create something, got open, and was able to be there for the quarterback.”

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The touchdown came three plays after the Eagles’ fumble recovery on the kickoff, starting the game with a bang. It was a score that became more and more critical as the game went on and the Birds struggled to get back in the end zone.

“Jahan found his way,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “He fought through some contact and found his way to get open. It was a full team effort there. It really was a spectacular play by Jalen and the offensive line there and then Jahan finishing it.”

Playing alongside Brown and DeVonta Smith doesn’t give Dotson as many opportunities to shine. Dotson played 673 snaps in the regular season, and had just 33 targets, with 19 catches for 212 yards. The Eagles lean on their run game, and with two star receivers, Dotson’s name isn’t always called.

His role is mostly to do exactly what he did on that touchdown play — execute his routes and draw attention away from Brown and Smith, and from Saquon Barkley and the running game.

“Coach gives very specific roles to what guys are expected to do, and he’s just been there when his number’s called, when his opportunities are there, he makes a play,” Hurts said. “He’s been doing great.”

Dotson doesn’t draw the same defensive attention as the Eagles’ two star receivers, but having the former first-round pick out there on the field keeps the defense honest, even with his production dipping since the trade to Philadelphia. “You’ve got three guys like us, you can’t just zero in on one person and think you’re gonna play everybody man,” Smith said.

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Brown and Smith both sat out against the Giants in Week 18, leaving Dotson as one of the centerpieces of the offense. He shined in his expanded role, catching seven passes for 94 yards for his best game of the season so far.

But Dotson said that he didn’t think that game built momentum for him — he’s felt comfortable in the offense since he learned the playbook. He just stays ready, and capitalizes on the opportunities when they come. One came in the first quarter on Sunday, and Dotson didn’t let it slip past him.

“I’m used to catching the ball,” Dotson said. “It’s something that I’ve been doing ever since I was in high school. Whenever it comes my way, it’s not a bigger moment than it is. It’s my job. I go out there and try to make the plays possible to help the team win. When my number gets called on, it’s my job to go back, go out there and make a play.”