Jordan Mailata NFL starting debut in Philadelphia vs San Francisco

Aussie weapon Jordan Mailata has been the talk of the NFL on Monday as he wowed America in his starting team debut for Philadelphia.

Sydney’s Jordan Mailata.

Aussie weapon Jordan Mailata has been the talk of the town in the NFL on Monday after he made his starting team debut for the Eagles in their comeback win over the 49ers in San Francisco.

Making his starting debut in the prime-time Sunday Night Football game televised nationally in the United States, Mailata made a solid start with consistent blocks as the Niners attempted to target the inexperienced Aussie early.

Mailata lined up at left tackle after the Eagles were forced to go for their fourth straight different offensive line just four games into the 2020 season.

According to NBC, it is the first time since 1950, when records were first kept, that the Eagles have had a different line-up on the offensive line for their first four games of a season.

Mailata was called up after Jason Peters, the Eagles’ first-choice left tackle, was placed on injury reserve with a foot injury.

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Mailata was mentioned on the TV coverage throughout the pre-game and first half.

Star commentator Cris Collinsworth said: “It’s just going to be interesting to watch this 6’7’’, 350-pound tackle, Jordan Mailata, and how he’s going to be able to hang with these athletes on the edge of the 49ers”.

Jordan Mailata making his first NFL start

He added: “The education of Mailata has begun already, they’re going to go with one of the old pick tough kind of moves here on him. You’re going to see all kind of stunts and that time it forced Carson Wentz to throw it before he wanted too”.

Mailata’s best moment came with five minutes left in the first quarter when he made a big play in the Eagles’ first touchdown-scoring drive.

Mailata helped punch a hole in the San Francisco defence and allowed Eagles running back Miles Sanders to dart up-field for an eight-yard gain.

A few plays later, quarterback Carson Wentz strolled over to put the Eagles ahead 8-0.

Mailata’s block didn’t go unnoticed.

“I kind of like the opportunity that Jordan Mailata, the left tackle, is now getting to just get his feet wet a little bit,” Collinsworth said.

“Let’s let him run-block a little bit. He came out with a nice double-team down and created a nice hole on that left side. He’s a huge man.”

Cult commentator Al Michaels responded: “He’s only 6’8’’ and 346 (pounds). The former rugby star in Australia”.

The 23-year-old’s worst moment came in the second quarter when he lost balance before the snap and was hit with a false start penalty with the Eagles’ drive delicately poised at third-and-one.

The five-yard penalty eventually saw the Eagles forced to punt the football after failing to convert on third down.

Mailata was targeted with some rush tactics by the Niners in the first quarter and was at one point caught out, forcing Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz to toss the ball away as Philly struggled to get its throwing game going in its early drives.

After an uninspiring first half, the Eagles took an 8-7 lead into the half time break.

They went behind in the third quarter, but two fourth-quarter touchdowns gave the Eagles their first win of the season with a 25-21 victory.

The Niners had a final Hail Mary play at the end of the game to snatch the win, but it was snuffed out in the endzone.

Mailata again took the field in the second half and appeared much more comfortable as Philly launched its comeback.

Mailata was taken with the 233rd pick of the 2018 NFL Draft despite having not played a snap of gridiron before he arrived in the US.

The former South Sydney junior rugby league talent was placed on injury waiver for most of his debut season and 2019 before he made his NFL regular season debut last month, coming off the bench.