Just when you thought the Philadelphia Eagles had solved some of their issues in December, a game like Sunday comes around to remind you how bad their current slide is.
Eagles Fall to Cardinals in Week 17
With a chance to not only remain in the driver’s seat for the NFC East and top seed in the NFC playoffs, the Eagles were upset at home to the three-win Arizona Cardinals, 35-31.
Things certainly didn’t start poorly for the Eagles on Sunday afternoon. They used a Sydney Brown 99-yard pick-six and two Julio Jones touchdown passes to build a 21-6 halftime lead.
From there on (and through most of the game), the Cardinals’ offense could not be stopped against Philadelphia’s struggling defense. Arizona racked up 221 yards on the ground while averaging 5.5 yards per carry and outscored the defending NFC Champions 29-10 in the second half.
Given the opponent and the stakes of the game, that’s about as bad an Eagles defensive performance as I can recall.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) December 31, 2023
James Connor’s two-yard touchdown with 32 seconds remaining in the game gave Arizona their first lead of the game, and they did not relinquish it after Jalen Hurts’ Hail Mary pass was intercepted.
Even more frustrating for the fanbase is that Jonathan Gannon, making his return to Philadelphia as head coach after two years as the team’s defensive coordinator, ended up getting a win against the team and fanbase who blamed him for losing Super Bowl LVII due to a poor second-half showing by the defense.
MORE: Philadelphia Eagles Depth Chart
His successor in Philadelphia certainly hasn’t been much better, though. The Eagles allowed the Cardinals into the red zone in every single possession Sunday while not forcing a punt.
Sunday’s loss could also be the last home game the Eagles have this year.
What Eagles’ Loss Means for NFC Playoffs
A lot can change in 24 hours. The Dallas Cowboys’ controversial win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday meant that Philadelphia would need to win out to clinch their second-straight NFC East title.
With the loss to the Cardinals, Philadelphia does not control their destiny for the division.
The #Cardinals have sealed a stunning upset in Philadelphia, which means:
The #49ers are the NFC’s No. 1 seed and get a first-round bye.
The #Bears officially own the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, via Carolina.
The #Cowboys can win the NFC East by beating Washington next week.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2023
Philadelphia’s loss also means that the San Francisco 49ers will be the NFC’s top overall seed this year. The Cowboys are expected to be penciled in as the second seed if they beat the Washington Commanders next week, and the Eagles will be the fifth seed.
If the season ended today, Philadelphia would travel to Tampa Bay for the Wild Card round.
It also gives their bitter rivals, the Cowboys, a chance to play the majority of their playoff games at home this year — a place where they have won 15 straight contests.
What Cardinals’ Win Means for NFL Draft
Believe it or not, Philadelphia’s loss to the Cardinals hurts them more than just regarding the race for the playoffs.
With the win, Arizona moves to 4-12 on the year and currently has the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, per Tankathon. What makes the win important is that the Commanders are now vaulted into the No. 2 overall pick and can clinch that selection with a loss in the season finale to the Cowboys.
An unbelievable win for the Arizona Cardinals, but not without ramifications, the Commanders now are picking second overall. Cards picking third.
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) December 31, 2023
In a draft class that features two phenomenal quarterback prospects in Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, the Eagles might have opened the door to a much tougher road in the coming years.
For Arizona, though, should they decide to stay with Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback, they’ll still be in a position to draft a top prospect.
Philadelphia will end the 2023-24 regular season with a road contest against the New York Giants. Arizona ends their season with a home battle against the Seattle Seahawks.
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