The Philadelphia Eagles survived a frantic comeback attempt by the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, thanks to controversial, head-scratching decisions by Kyler Murray in the final minutes of a thrilling 20-17 victory.
Murray and the Arizona offense had Philadelphia on the ropes, facing a second-and-10 on the Eagles' 34-yard line with 36 seconds left. Murray had a nine-yard run and slid too early, so he didn't get Arizona the first down at the Eagles' 25. Instead of running on third-and-1, Murray spiked the ball in a 20-17 game -- forcing the Cardinals to attempt a field goal for the tie.
Matt Ammendola, filling in for the injured Matt Prater, missed the 43-yard field goal with 22 seconds left as the Eagles survived. The Cardinals moved the ball eight plays for 55 yards in 1:08 to get into field goal range to set up a chance to tie it. Murray's blunders significantly affected the outcome of this showdown in the desert.
The Eagles used their prolific run game to take a 20-17 lead with 1:48 left, thanks to a 17-play drive that took 7:58 off the clock. Philadelphia ran the ball 13 times on that drive, but the key play was a Hurts throw to Dallas Goedert for 16 yards on third-and-12 to keep the chains moving. The Eagles had 56 rushing yards on the drive that consumed a lot of clock and kept the Cardinals offense off the field.
Murray led the Cardinals on a 12-play, 90-yard drive that resulted in an 11-yard touchdown run by Eno Benjamin to tie the game at 17. The Cardinals trailed, 14-0, in the first half before rallying back to tie the game, using a hurry-up offense to keep the Eagles defense on its heels throughout the second quarter onward. Marquise Brown had a 25-yard touchdown catch for Arizona to cut the deficit to 14-7 and Ammendola hit a 20-yard field goal just before halftime to make it 14-10. The Eagles defense allowed the Cardinals to go 91 yards on that field goal drive before halftime, but held them in the red zone as time was winding down in the first half.
Philadelphia built a 14-0 lead thanks to two rushing touchdowns from Jalen Hurts in the first half. Hurts has six rushing touchdowns this season and 19 in his first 25 career starts, passing Cam Newton for the most by a quarterback in NFL history. (Hurts has made just 24 career starts.)
For a recap of this showdown in the desert, a recap can be found in our live blog below!
This victory wasn't impressive by any means, but the Eagles won a football game the old-fashioned way. The defense did give up 313 yards on its final five possessions, yet the Cardinals were held to a field goal in the final seconds of the first half in a goal-to-go situation, and Murray's spike on third-and-1 resulted in a missed field goal at the end of the game. At the end of the day, Philadelphia only allowed 17 points -- enough to escape Arizona with the win.
The Eagles also were efficient running the ball, having 139 rushing yards on 33 carries and controlling time of possession for 34:39. Philadelphia kept Murray and the Cardinals offense off the field, another reason why Arizona just had 17 points in this one.
Slow starts were another problem for Arizona, which had 18 plays for 50 yards with three punts and an interception on its first four possessions -- which is how the Cardinals faced a 14-0 deficit to start. The Cardinals did overcome that, thanks to Murray playing his best football of the year. Murray threw for 250 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 55 yards, a performance good enough for a victory.
Instead, Murray's blunders on consecutive plays ended up costing the Cardinals at the end. Not only did Arizona have to kick a field goal for the tie with 22 seconds left at the Eagles' 25 -- Ammendola missed the 43-yard kick. That was the ball game.
The Eagles were driving in a 17-17 game hoping to take the lead, but faced a third-and-12 at the Cardinals' 36-yard line with 4:28 left. Hurts had pressure in his face and still managed to find Dallas Goedert for a 16-yard gain and a first down that extended the drive and took more valuable time off the clock.
With a rookie kicker in Cameron Dicker playing his first game, the completed pass was crucial in giving Dicker an opportunity to make an easier field goal. Hurts did that with the throw to Goedert, and Dicker hit the go-ahead 23-yard field goal with under two minutes to play.
Jalen Hurts' throw on third down in the first half takes the cake here. On third-and-13, Hurts dropped back in the pocket to the Eagles' 1-yard line. The Eagles quarterback rolled to his left and ran toward the sideline before rolling across his body and finding DeVonta Smith for 22 yards and the first down.
The play was the starting point toward a 16-play, 87-yard drive that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Hurts that put the Eagles up 14-0. If Hurts doesn't make that throw, who knows if the Eagles win.
"I thought he was clearly past (the sticks) and they brought it back. By that time we committed to clocking it." -- Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury on Murray spiking the football on third-and-1 and forcing fourth down at the end of the game.
The Eagles (5-0) will host the Cowboys (4-1) for first place in the NFC East on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 6. The Cardinals (2-3) travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks (2-3) in a NFC West clash.
Kyler Murray slid too early on 2nd down, spiked the ball a yard short on 3rd down, then Matt Ammendola missed a 43-yard FG to the right. Just an incredible turn of events for the Eagles, who the Cardinals had on the ropes and a potential win at their fingertips.
The Eagles go to 5-0 thanks to that Kyler Murray error. He slid early on 2nd down, spiked the ball on third down that forced Matt Ammendola to kick a 43-yard FG -- which he missed to the right.
An incredible turn of events.
What was Kyler Murray doing!
Now the Cardinals have to kick that FG!
Zach Ertz was wide open and Kyler Murray just flat out missed him. He found him for a first down on the next play. Cardinals are moving the ball with no timeouts and 52 seconds left.
Questioning the Hurts throw to Quez Watkins on 3rd down there (maybe he was targeting A.J. Brown). Tried to make a play that wasn't there. New kicker Cameron Dicker will attempt a FG with 1:48 left to give Philly the lead.
Such a weapon for the Eagles offense to have Jalen Hurts on a 3rd-and-1 and 4th-and-1 situation.
Eagles at the Arizona 10-yard line. Two minutes left. 17-17. Buckle up.
The Eagles finally show blitz protection and Jalen Hurts delivers with a perfect strike to Dallas Goedert.
Money throw. Money catch. Philly in the red zone.
Running is the best option for the Eagles to get back the lead here. First three plays of this drive are running plays for 19 yards.
The Cardinals tie this game up on the Eno benjamin touchdown. He's stepping up in a big way as Arizona has used the hurry-up offense to its advantage.
Arizona has 258 yards since the 7:40 mark of the second quarter -- on just 4 possessions.
RB Darrel Williams (knee) questionable to return for Arizona. It really is going to be Eno Benjamin for the Cardinals. Here come a lot of passes (although Murray only had 4 in the third quarter).
Through three quarters the Eagles are hanging on to a 17-10 lead. Dallas is up 19-10 on the Rams. Both teams set for a collision course next Sunday night.
DeVonta Smith had 10 catches on his first 10 targets. Should have been his 11th. Rare drop for No. 6 causes Arizona to go zero blitz on Hurts that leads to the sack. The Eagles offense isn't in flow and it's showing.
Cardinals defense is doing their job.
Haason Reddick with the huge 3rd down sack on Kyler Murray.
He is now up to 4.5 sacks on the year. Kyler Murray didn't have a chance.
James Conner (rib) is questionable to return. It's Eno Benjamin at RB for the rest of this one.
That Sua Opeta penalty destroyed that Eagles drive.
Just can't afford that with all the momentum the team had going.
Cam Dicker drills a 42-yard FG. Eagles up 17-10.
Jalen Hurts has been hit 4 times. Miles Sanders has 6 carries for 15 yards.
The Eagles are really missing three starting O-linemen right now.
If I'm the Cardinals, I'd kick here. Take the points. They have the momentum.
Cardinals faked a punt to extend this final first half drive and now have the a 1st-and-goal with 10 seconds left. This hurry-up offense is really throwing off the Eagles defense.
The Eagles are going to have to overcome a lot of injuries on the offensive line.
LT, LG, and C now out.
They have the depth, but it will be tested.
That 25-yard TD reception to Hollywood Brown is the Cardinals 1st pass TD in the 1st half this season.
It's Arizona's 1st TD in the 1st half since Week 1.
Cam Jergens in at center after jason kelce goes into the tent. Jalen Hurts didn't get enough on the ball as Jalen Thompson appeared to have gotten the INT. Didn't have control of the catch.
Greta play by Thompson. Disguised himself in coverage and jumped back at the right time. Great read.
Most games with 2+ rush TD by a QB -- NFL history
1. Cam Newton -- 10
T2. Steve McNair -- 7
T2. Otto Graham -- 7
T2. Steve Young -- 7
T2. Jack Kemp -- 7
T2. Jalen Hurts -- 7
Jalen Hurts has the most TD in NFL history for a QB in his first 25 starts (19). He passed Cam Newton for the mark.
This is just Hurts' 24th start.
Hurts has 2 rushing TD today. 6 on the year. Eagles up 14-0 over the Cardinals.
DeVonta Smith has two catches for 42 yards on the last three plays as we end the first quarter. Hurts is finding him all over the field today. Backbreaker for the Cardinals defense.
Eagles up 7-0 after 1.
Thank Haason Reddick for forcing that Kyle Murray throw on 3rd down.
Excellent pressure by Reddick. He's found his form.
Cardinals have run 15 plays for 47 yards in the first quarter. One giveaway and no points.
Eagles G Landon Dickerson (leg) is questionable to return. So Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta are the LT and LG right now for the Eagles -- both backups.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson gets his first INT with the Eagles.
Poor throw from Kyler Murray. Cardinals first half issues continue.
Jalen Hurts has tied Cam Newton for most rushing TD in his first 25 starts in NFL history (18).
This is only Hurts' 24th start.
Eagles go 11 plays for 64 yards on their first drive. They lead 7-0 over Arizona.
Great defense by the Eagles on Kyler Murray there.
Flushed out of the pocket and Kyzir White had the speed to force him to throw the ball away. Eagles just didn't have that last year.
The Cardinals are getting the ball first. There are a lot of Eagles fans in Arizona today. This is a home away from home game it seems.
