Eagles vs. Cardinals score, takeaways: Jonathan Gannon gets revenge, Arizona knocks Philly from NFC East lead

The Eagles lost to Arizona in a Week 17 stunner

PHILADELPHIA -- Former Eagles defensive coordinator and current Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon got his revenge against Philadelphia in a massive way on Sunday, knocking his old team out of the NFC East lead. The Cardinals pulled off a stunning 35-31 victory in a game with the No. 2 seed -- and division title -- still there for the Eagles' taking. 

James Conner's 2-yard touchdown run with 32 seconds left gave the Cardinals the victory -- part of a day in which the Cardinals ran for 221 yards and did not punt. Kyler Murray found Greg Dortch for 36 yards on the drive that got the Cardinals down to the Eagles' 5-yard line with 41 seconds left. That set up Conner's touchdown run two plays later to give Arizona the lead for good. 

Murray found Michael Wilson for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 5:26 left to tie the game up at 28-28. The Cardinals went right down the field after a pass interference penalty by Kelee Ringo put them at the Eagles' 48, needing just eight plays to get into the end zone and tie the game. 

The Eagles fall to the No. 5 seed with the loss, their fourth in the last five games. The Cowboys take over the NFC East lead and can wrap up the division title with a win next week. 

Why the Cardinals won

The Cardinals scored 29 points in the second half against the Eagles -- four touchdowns and a two-point conversion on four possessions. Kyler Murray went 13 of 14 in the second half for 133 yards with three touchdowns while the Cardinals ran for 138 yards and averaged 6.5 yards per carry. This was the most efficient half of football Arizona has had all season, as the Cardinals had possession of the ball for more than 17 of the final 30 minutes and for 39:39 in the game. Arizona flat out dominated Philadelphia's defense. 

Why the Eagles lost

Philadelphia couldn't get off the field against an offense that ranked 26th in the NFL heading into Sunday's game, not forcing a single punt and allowing the Cardinals to score on six of seven possessions (not including end of half). The Cardinals scored a touchdown on all four second half possessions and gashed the Eagles for 449 yards -- averaging 6.2 yards per play. The Eagles allowed the Cardinals to go 2 of 2 on fourth down and 5 of 10 on third down -- also allowing 5.5 yards per carry. This was their worst defensive performance of the year. 

Up next

The Eagles (11-5) will wrap up their regular season against the Giants in New York while the Cardinals (4-12) complete their season at home against the Seahawks.

For a full recap of the Cardinals' upset, check out our live blog below. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:58 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles fall 35-31. They fall out of first in the NFC East. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:51 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

James Conner scored from 2-yards out. 7 play, 70-yard drive in 2:01 to give the Cardinals a 35-31 lead with 32 seconds left. The Eagles defense can't get off the field. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:41 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

I don't know what the Eagles are doing on offense, but they ran a bubble screen on 3rd-and-20. 34-yard FG by Jake Elliott gives the Eagles a 31-28 lead with 2:33 left. 6 plays, 14 yards on the drive. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:36 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Kicking the onsides kick was interesting by the Cardinals, but it gives Eagles a short field and a quick score gives Arizona time to get the ball back. The Eagles haven't stopped them all day. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:18 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The TD pass from Hurts to Goedert

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:17 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts makes up for his 7-yard loss on a QB draw.

Find Dallas Goedert for a 4-yard TD after a neutral zone infraction by the Cardinals.

28-21 Eagles.

Hurts 14-of-17 for 134 yards and 3 TD (139.1 rating).

38 total TD are a franchise record. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:11 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles had 3rd-and-1 form the 16 -- didn't get the "tush push."

Got it on 4th-and-1 however. In red zone. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:07 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

D'Andre Swift has 9 carries for 46 yards -- 5.1 YPC.

Over 1,000 rushing yards on the year (currently at 1,034).

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:06 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles ran 3 plays to start this drive, 29 yards.

9.7 yards per carry. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:01 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Here is the Conner one-handed TD

[Dec 31, 2023 at 3:00 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

James Conner one-handed TD. It's 21-19 Eagles now. The 2-point conversion is good to Michael Wilson and it's 21-21. This Eagles defense isn't too good. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:59 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles have had the ball for 9:50.

There's 2:19 left in the 3rd quarter. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:52 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Cardinals have 156 rushing yards and average 5.6 yards per carry.

Tells you what you need to know.

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:46 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

DeVonta Smith almost had a tremendous back-shoulder catch on 3rd-and-5, but couldn't haul it in. Eagles go 3-and-out.

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:42 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Michael Carter having Eli Ricks on skates 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:41 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Michael Carter drive.

4 carries for 38 yards and a 6-yard TD. Had Eli Ricks slip on a 16-yard run on the drive also.

Eagles defense have allowed points on 3 of 4 drives.

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:38 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles have allowed 131 rush yards so far.

We're 5 minutes into the third quarter. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:30 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Oldest players with 2 rec TD in a game -- Eagles history

Pete Retzlaff -- 35 years, 91 days (1966) Irving Fryar -- 35 years, 14 days (1997) Julio Jones  -- 34 years, 326 days (2023)

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:22 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

2011 to 2019 Julio Jones engaged. Julio's 2nd TD of the day. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:18 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The fake "tush push" from Gainwell

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:15 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts finds Julio Jones for the TD.

That is the 14th multi-receiving TD game of Jones' career. First since Week 6 of the 2020 season.

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:12 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles faked a tush-push on 3rd-and-1

Kenneth Gainwell took the toss and completed an 18-yard pass to DeVonta Smith.

First down. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:09 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles are finding A.J. Brown today. His 4 targets are leading the team.

Dallas Goedert has also been a focal point with 3 targets.

Jalen Hurts is 10 of 11 for 92 yards and a TD (131.8 rating).

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:05 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Cardinals have possessed the ball for 21 minutes, but only have 6 points to show for it. Each possession has been 8 plays or more.

The result?

FG

INT return for TD

FG

They have 170 yards to the Eagles 94, yet trail 14-6. The pick six and Murray fumble in the red zone hurt.

[Dec 31, 2023 at 2:05 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Cardinals have possessed the ball for 21 minutes, but only have 6 points to show for it. Each possession has been 8 plays or more.

The result?

FG

INT return for TD

FG

They ahve 170 yards to theEagles 94, yet trail 14-6. The pick six and Murray fumble in the red zone hurt. 

[Dec 31, 2023 at 1:48 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Longest INT return for TD -- Eagles history

Lito Sheppard -- 102 yards (2006 vs. #Cowboys)

Lito Sheppard -- 101 yards (2004 vs. #Panthers) 

Sydney Brown -- 99 yards (2023 vs. #Cardinals)

Malcolm Jenkins -- 99 yards (2015 at #Patriots)

[Dec 31, 2023 at 1:44 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Sydney Brown had a 99-yard INT return for a TD, the first TD of his career.

That was tied for 3rd-longest INT return TD in Eagles history.

[Dec 31, 2023 at 1:35 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Kyler Murray completes a pass to Rondale Moore, but Moore fumbles.

James Bradberry recovered it as official officially ruled. After conversation the call was reversed.

First down Cardinals.

[Dec 31, 2023 at 1:30 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

End 1Q: Eagles 7, Cardinals 3. Shaq Leonard with 4 tackles in the first quarter

[Dec 31, 2023 at 1:26 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The TD pass from Hurts to Jones. Hurts is 5 of 5 for 56 yards to start the game (152.9 rating)