Published by: Bear Acuda
“ ‘Tis the ‘Season of Giving’, for man to look upon his neighbor-in-need and lend a helping hand.”
The Eagles have taken that Christmas motto to heart, as for the entirety of December, they have gifted away every game they’ve played. So far this month, the Eagles have lost to the 49ers (11-3) and their hated rivals, the Dallas Cowboys (10-4).
Last night was no different, as they completed their “Trifecta of Giving” by repackaging a breath of life into the Seattle Seahawks’ (7-7) playoff chances, losing to them in front of a MNF national audience, 20-17.
The Philadelphia Eagles, with a record of 10-4, suffered their third consecutive loss.
There were plenty of losing plays made in last night’s MNF game, but none were greater than Jalen Hurts two interceptions in the fourth quarter and this once vaunted Eagles defense allowing backup quarterback Drew Lock the opportunity to connect with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a decisive touchdown in the game’s final 28 seconds.
Just a few weeks ago, the Eagles were enjoying their Thanksgiving, heading into December as the NFL’s #1 team.
Since the calendar page flipped to December, it has been a disaster across the board for Philadelphia. The wreckage of that disaster has seen them obliterate their chances of home field advantage throughout the playoffs, snowball down the NFC mountain, drop to second in the NFC East (after their loss two weeks ago to the Cowboys), and land on the unsure footing of one of the remaining Wild Card spots for the upcoming NFL Playoffs. Basically, worst-case-scenario.
As I mentioned before, there were plenty of losing plays that cost the Eagles the MNF game, but I will do my best not to stomp Eagles fans while they’re down. Here’s a more positive breakdown of the game’s key moments:
First Quarter Highlights:
- Jalen Hurts achieved a remarkable feat, equaling his own team record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season (13). He scored on a 3-yard run, executing a quarterback draw play. This score culminated a 15-play drive that lasted 8:29, with key third-down completions to Dallas Goedert and A.J. Brown. Jake Elliott successfully kicked the extra point. (Eagles 7 – Seahawks 0)
- Philadelphia’s defense ended the quarter with another Seattle punt, following a false start penalty and an incomplete pass from Drew Lock.
Second Quarter Highlights:
- Jake Elliott extended the Eagles’ lead with a 27-yard field goal, following a false start penalty that had pushed them back. (Eagles 10 – Seahawks 0)
- The Seahawks narrowed the gap with a 26-yard field goal by Jason Myers, following a crucial third-down stop by the Eagles’ defense. (Eagles 10 – Seahawks 3)
Third Quarter Highlights:
- The Seahawks opened with a dominant drive, culminating in a 23-yard touchdown run by Kenneth Walker, tying the game. (Eagles 10 – Seahawks 10)
- Hurts broke his franchise record, scoring his 14th rushing touchdown of the season, matching Cam Newton’s NFL single-season record for a quarterback. Big plays by Swift, Brown, and DeVonta Smith contributed to this score. (Eagles 17 – Seahawks 10)
- Philadelphia’s defense recorded their first sack of the game, with Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox bringing down Lock.
Fourth Quarter Highlights:
- Jalen Carter sacked Lock, leading to a Seahawks field goal from Myers. (Eagles 17 – Seahawks 13)
- Hurts threw an interception to Julian Love, giving Seattle possession.
- The Seahawks capitalized with a late 29-yard touchdown pass from Lock to Smith-Njigba. (Seahawks 20 – Eagles 17)
- Hurts’ second interception, again to Love, sealed the game’s outcome.
Game Leaders
- Passing: Jalen Hurts (PHI) – 17/31, 143 yards, 2 INT; Drew Lock (SEA) – 22/33, 208 yards, 1 TD
- Rushing: Jalen Hurts (PHI) – 13 carries, 82 yards, 2 TD; Kenneth Walker (SEA) – 19 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: A.J. Brown (PHI) – 5 receptions, 56 yards; DK Metcalf (SEA) – 5 receptions, 78 yards
- Defense: Nicholas Morrow (PHI) – 8 tackles; Fletcher Cox (PHI) and Jalen Carter (PHI) each with a sack; Julian Love (SEA) – 8 tackles, 2 INT
- Kicking: Jake Elliott (PHI) – 1/1 FG, 2/2 PAT; Jason Myers (SEA) – 2/2 FG, 2/2 PAT
There is still an outside chance the Eagles could win the NFC East, but they will need no win-out AND the Cowboys to lose a game. Though, those chances grow slimmer by the week.
Will the Eagles host a playoff game?
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