Eagles-Jets Final Score: Tim Tebow outplays Matt Barkley in Philadelphia loss, 24-18

The Philadelphia Eagles were defeated by the New York Jets by a final score of 24 to 18 in the preseason finale.  With the loss, the Eagles dropped to 3-1 in the 2015 NFL preseason schedule. Not that it matters.

Eagles quarterbacks

Matt Barkley: 4 for 9 (44.4%), 45 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 20.4 rating

Tim Tebow: 11 for 17 (64.7%), 189 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 117.0 rating (32 rush yards on 4 attempts)

Barkley and Tebow each got a half of playing time as they alternated quarters. Neither player had much to work with in terms of offensive line or receiving options, but Tebow clearly outplayed Barkley. Tebow's stats would look better had he not had to deal with two drops. Tebow showed mobility to escape pressure whereas Barkley would just get sacked. Tebow was also more accurate with his passes, believe it or not. Watch Tebow's first touchdown throw here.

First half observations

Starting Eagles offensive line from left to right: Matt Tobin, Josh Andrews, David Molk, John Moffitt, Dennis Kelly.

Barkley underthrew a wide open Huff on the second play of the game and it was picked. What a terrible pass. Huff did a great job of stripping the ball out, but it wasn't ruled a fumble. Nice effort from the wide receiver.

Kiko Alonso started with the first team defense next to rookie Jordan Hicks. Eric Rowe and E.J. Biggers started at outside cornerback with Chris Maragos and Ed Reynolds starting at safety. Alonso made a few tackles and looked good. He only played one series.

Jaylen Watkins got beaten over the top in coverage. Burned. Bad look.

Raheem Mostert looked good running the ball on the Eagles' second drive. Barkley overthrew two passes in a row but then finally connected with Trey Burton and Mostert. Eagles had to settle for a field goal. Kip Smith, not Cody Parkey, made the short kick.

Eric Rowe got called for illegal hands to the face while trying to cover a Jets receiver. Later, Rowe fell down and left his man wide open. Then he gave up another catch. Not a great look for the rookie.

Tim Tebow time! The quarterback hit Mostert for a first down on a pass floated over two rushing defenders. Tebow hit Seyi Ajirotutu with a good throw after rolling out but the veteran dropped it. Tebow's next two passes went a little high.

Ajirotutu did a good job of catching a punt to pin the Jets deep in their own territory.

Watkins read Matt Flynn like a book, jumped a route, and got the pick. He needed that one. Very nice play.

Mostert stuffed on three runs on the inside near the goal line.

Bryan Braman blew by the Jets' right tackle and destroyed Flynn. Beast.

Jeff Maehl dropped a good pass from Tebow over the middle in a tight window.

Rowe made a great play on special teams as the gunner. He ran by his two blockers and ran down the field to force a fair catch.

Tebow spun out of a sack and ran 17 yards for a first round. Then he delivered a few good strikes to Mostert and Quron Pratt to put the team in field goal range. Tebow hit Rasheed Bailey in the end zone for a touchdown. Great pass. Nice catch by the rookie, too.

Second half observations

Randall Evans was beat without ever looking up for the ball but got bailed out when the Jets receiver was called for a weak pushoff.

Najee Goode did a good job of rushing in and batting down a Josh Johnson pass. If Goode doesn't make the team, he'll find a job with some NFL team.

Tebow hit Freddie Martino with a great deep ball. The pass was slightly underthrown, but not too bad. Then Tebow gets picked off when trying to force a pass into coverage on 4th-and-16. Tough spot.

Bailey caught a screen and fought through some defenders to pick up a first down.

4th-and-6 in the red zone ... Tebow escaped a sack, scrambled to his left, and hit Freddie Martino in the end zone for an amazing touchdown. Seriously, what a catch. Martino somehow pinned the ball to his helmet and kept two feet as he fell out of bounds. Wow.

Injuries

Jerome Couplin got shaken up on special teams but returned to the game.

Up next: NFL roster cuts

No more Eagles training camp. No more Eagles preseason games. The 2015 NFL regular season starts is right around the corner! The Eagles play their first game against the Falcons on Monday, Sept. 14 at 7:10 p.m. ET in Atlanta.

Before that arrives, however, the Eagles (and 31 other NFL teams) will be required to trim their roster down to 53 players by Saturday, Sept. 5 at 4:00 PM EST. Cuts are expected to take place as soon as Friday, so stay tuned here to Bleeding Green Nation for complete coverage.