January 06, 2019
Nick. [Bleep]-ing. Foles.
The Eagles marched down the field to score a game-winning touchdown Sunday evening, continuing their Super Bowl defense in an entertaining 16-15 win in the NFL's Wild Card finale.
And then, inches away from seeing their season fall to pieces, their old friend Cody Parkey hit the upright (and the crossbar) on a potential game-winning field goal try.
Wow.
Philadelphia couldn't run the ball. They couldn't catch one of several interception opportunities. They blew a lead, made costly penalties, and surrendered two Foles' picks.
But somehow, some way, on a fourth down at the goalline with a minute to play, Foles threw yet another in a long list of unforgettable playoff touchdown passes and the Eagles' season continued.
As we try and catch our breath — and prepare for a rematch against the Saints in one week's time — lets recap an incredible game in Chicago.
Here's what happened:
The Eagles moved the ball pretty much at will on their first drive, but a negative run by Darren Sproles followed shortly after by a sack by Leonard Floyd. Luckily the Eagles drove deep enough in Chicago territory to take a 3-0 lead on a Jake Elliott kick.
After the exchange of a few three-and-outs, the Eagles moved the ball from the shadow of their own goalpost to scoring position, thanks to this hurl from Foles under pressure.
#Eagles Alshon Jeffery for a HUGE catch! Wear where you in my fantasy season *&%^&**^% ?????!!!! #PHIvsCHI 3-0 pic.twitter.com/ahhOL5fB8j
— Steven Van Over (@StevenVanOver) January 6, 2019
And then this happened...
WHAT A PICK!@RoquanSmith1 💪
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2019
📺: #PHIvsCHI on NBC #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/dxnLZBpU7O
The defense bailed out the offense and held Parkey to a tying field goal.
The next highlight involved Golden Tate. Yes, that's right, Foles somehow curved a deep ball to Tate who made an incredible diving gran for 28 yards. He would hobble out of the game but return the next drive.
How did @ShowtimeTate hold onto that?! pic.twitter.com/bqYUwXx8Uj
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 6, 2019
Lightning wouldn't strike twice though, as the next pass was unfurled it was picked off by Adrian Amos in the end zone ending yet another scoring chance.
This Bears defense is the real deal 💪🐻 @SmashAmos38 pic.twitter.com/Y893BK53oW
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 6, 2019
After one of the most bizarre stretches to end a first half I can personally ever remember, an almost-Avonte Maddox interception was called back, a third down penalty gave the Bears new life, a ridiculous near-catch and fumble was ruled an incomplete pass and a sure interception in the end zone was dropped by Tre Sullivan — giving Parkey a second field goal to end the first 30 minutes.
The Eagles drove 83 yards in seven plays after getting a stop on defense, with the rookie Dallas Goedert snatching the first touchdown of the game sprinting wide open across the end zone.
#FlyEaglesFly @goedert33
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2019
📺: #PHIvsCHI on NBC #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/jIOMhGRBnU
A blown coverage by Maddox, who bit on a double move, led to the Bears' biggest play of the game — a long pass and run to Allen Robinson that led to a field goal as the defense once again bent but did not break.
.@mtrubusky10 to @allenrobinson for a HUGE gain 🙌
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2019
📺: #PHIvsCHI on NBC #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/xCKR0Qf5fz
Philly hung on to the lead as the fourth quarter continued.
After getting the Bears into a tough third-and-11, the defense got sloppy, first allowing Trubisky to have time to convert the first down and a couple plays later go deep to Josh Bellamy. A play after that, the rookie hooked up with A-Rob to put the Bears ahead again as Maddox bit on the first move.
Eagles allow first touchdown since the Texans game pic.twitter.com/IAHzfeMkDR
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) January 7, 2019
A two-point try failed.
The Eagles failed to respond but forced a three and out, and thanks to a "shankopotomous" punt from Pat O'Donnell Philly started its drive near midfield and quickly drove into Bears territory — in part due to these hard fought YAC yards from Goedert.
What a play by @eagles TE @goedert33...
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2019
📺: #PHIvsCHI on NBC #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/aRHNSdC5kK
At the goalline, the Eagles found themselves at the three-yardline with over a minute to play. Two unsuccessful run plays and an incomplete pass set up — what else — a fourth and goal for the defending champs.
Tate became the hero, as Foles rolled right and tossed a sidearm pass to the veteran wideout for the game-winning touchdown.
What a play by @eagles TE @goedert33...
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2019
📺: #PHIvsCHI on NBC #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/aRHNSdC5kK
An attempted lunge forward by Wendell Smallwood on a two-point try was deemed just barely unsuccessful.
Chicago got the ball with one timeout left and just under a minute to play and went deep to Robinson again, who got the Bears nearly instantly in field goal range.
What a throw.
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2019
What a catch.
Here come the @chicagobears.
📺: #PHIvsCHI on NBC #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ChQsYFBQN8
And then for the fifth time in recent weeks, Parkey hit the upright. And the season continued.
Upright. Crossbar. Out. pic.twitter.com/nWtpr4LyGB
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 7, 2019
"We were just hoping for a miss," Foles said after the game.
What a miss it was.
The Eagles and Saints will face off next Sunday at 4:40 p.m. on FOX.
