The Eagles gave away a game they had control of late, losing 24-20 to the Arizona Cardinals in the battle of the 5-1 teams. Costly turnovers and the inability to finish drives in the Red Zone dropped the Eagles to 5-2 on Sunday. Philadelphia took the lead with less than two minutes remaining, but could not keep the Cardinals out of the end zone, as Carson Palmer hooked up with John Brown on a 75 yard go-ahead touchdown pass to give the Cardinals the win.

Nick Foles connected with Jeremy Maclin on a screen pass, and Maclin took that screen pass 21 yards for the first touchdown in the afternoon’s contest, putting the Eagles up early 7-0.  Arizona fired back on their next offensive possession, as Carson Palmer led the Cardinals on a 13 play, 80 yard drive, ending with an Andre Ellington one yard touchdown run. Despite the Eagles finding themselves in the Red Zone on back-to-back drives following Arizona’s touchdown, Philly was unable to come away with any points on the two trips. A Josh Huff fumble and Nick Foles interception left the game tied at seven all when the Eagles had the chance to go ahead big. The battle between the 5-1 teams was tied heading into the half, with defense being the story early.

Scoring would start to pick up right as the second half began, as Carson Palmer threw a short slant to Larry Fitzgerald, who took the five yard reception 80 yards for a Cardinals’ touchdown. Philadelphia would take the lead later in the third after a Cody Parkey 54 yard field goal cut the deficit to four, followed by a Nick Foles 54 yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin, giving the Eagles a 17-14 edge heading into the fourth quarter.  

Chandler Catanzaro nailed a 28 yard field goal for Arizona to tie the ball game back up. The Eagles would then go on a 13 play, 78 yard drive that chewed up seven minutes and five seconds off of the clock, but only came away with a field goal. Philadelphia had the ball at the two yard line, failing to score on a LeSean McCoy run, leaving Chip Kelly no choice but to take the points and the lead. With less than two minutes remaining on the game clock, the Eagles had Arizona with a third down conversion on their own 25 yard line, and then Nate Allen and Cary Williams happened. Carson Palmer dropped back and fired a 75 yard touchdown pass to John Brown, right over the heads of Nate Allen and Cary Williams. The Cardinal defense held their ground on the Eagles’ last offensive possession, to hold onto the 24-20 win.

Game Notes:

  • - Eagles ran the ball effectively against the league’s best rush defense, which is a good sign for the remainder of the season
  • - Back foot throws are killing Nick Foles this season – Every time he throws an interception, the ball comes off of his back foot
  • - Chip Kelly has to find a way to get his offense in the end zone when they are inside the five yard line – Shotgun run plays with short distances remaining do not work
  • - Eagles missed too many opportunities with the Red Zone turnovers today – Had the chance to put the game away early, but failed to do so
  • - The Eagles front seven played great, however, the secondary continues to hold Philly back – No excuse to allow John Brown to catch that pass and run it 75 yards for the touchdown at the end of the game
  • - Jeremy Maclin gets a lot of heat, but he has been nothing short of excellent this season
  • - In the end, 5-2 is 5-2 – Eagles still in great shape to make the playoffs

Next week the Eagles travel to Houston to take on the Texans.