On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles suffered a significant setback as they not only relinquished a 15-point lead but also missed securing a coveted first-round bye in the NFC playoffs. The Arizona Cardinals staged a remarkable comeback at Lincoln Financial Field, ultimately defeating the Eagles 35-31. This defeat marked Philadelphia’s fourth loss in the last five games, leaving the door open for the Dallas Cowboys to contend for the NFC East title in the upcoming weekend.
Of greater consequence for the Eagles was the fact that the San Francisco 49ers’ victory over the Washington Commanders secured them the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the much sought-after first-round bye in the playoffs. In a dramatic final few minutes, Kyler Murray orchestrated a game-winning drive for the Cardinals, connecting with Greg Dortch for crucial back-to-back passes, propelling the Cardinals to the 5-yard line. A subsequent 2-yard run by James Conner secured a four-point victory for Arizona.
Cardinals drive inside the 10!
📺: #AZvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqko01pD pic.twitter.com/VML5vJhBHK— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
The Eagles, who had a comfortable 21-6 lead at halftime, failed to maintain their dominance in the second half. Despite a commendable 99-yard pick-six from Sydney Brown, the Cardinals, with just three wins prior to this game, mounted a spectacular comeback in the third quarter. Murray showcased his prowess with two touchdown passes, leading to a tied game and drawing boos from Eagles fans.
Cardinals tie it up with 5:26 left in Philly!
📺: #AZvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqko01pD pic.twitter.com/9Rb634cbxr— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
Although Jalen Hurts responded with a touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals equalized once more with Murray finding Michael Wilson for a 4-yard touchdown. Despite an unsuccessful onside kick attempt by the Cardinals, they managed to stop the Eagles and force a 43-yard field goal from Jake Elliott, setting the stage for Murray’s game-winning drive.
Murray’s impressive performance included 25-of-31 completions for 232 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. James Conner contributed significantly with 128 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, while Greg Dortch amassed 82 yards on seven receptions. On the Eagles’ side, Jalen Hurts went 18-of-23 for 167 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception. D’Andre Swift rushed for 61 yards on 13 carries, and A.J. Brown had 53 yards on four catches.
Deebo, Kittle and Aiyuk’s reaction to the Cardinals win for the @49ers to lock up the #1 seed is incredible.
(via @TracyFGSN, @MikeSilver) pic.twitter.com/z4Hlf8FS3x
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
The Eagles, once at the pinnacle with a 10-1 record, have faced a challenging December with a 1-4 record. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, securing home-field advantage. The NFC East now hinges on the Dallas Cowboys, who can claim the division title with a win over the Commanders next week, potentially relegating the Eagles to a wild-card spot and forcing them to play their first playoff game on the road. The Eagles will conclude their regular season against the Giants on Sunday.
