The Eagles faced one of the best teams in the NFL on Sunday night.
And it sure looked like it.
The Eagles kept their prime-time matchup against the Cardinals close for a little while.
Then it got out of hand. Really out of hand.
The Cardinals dropped the Eagles, 40-17, on national television on a chilly night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Arizona rookie running back David Johnson had a monster day (187 rushing yards) and the Eagles’ offense couldn’t do nearly enough to overcome it. The Eagles’ defense gave up over 400 yards for the fifth straight game.
With the loss, the Eagles fell to 6-8, but still have a decent shot to win the NFC East (see division update).
If they win the next two weeks (against the Redskins and Giants), they’ll win the division crown. If the Eagles lose next week, they would be eliminated from playoff contention. If the Eagles win next week, but lose the following week, they could still make the playoffs but would need some help.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 12-2, the second-best record in the NFC behind just the undefeated Panthers, who are 14-0.
First half
The Cardinals took a 17-10 lead into the locker room at halftime after the Eagles made a risky play call that backfired.
With under a minute remaining in the half, Chip Kelly decided to go for it on 4th-and-1 on the Cardinals’ 8-yard line. Ryan Mathews was stuffed and the Eagles turned the ball over on downs instead of kicking a short field goal.
Prior to that, the Cardinals went up 17-10 on a 47-yard run by Johnson in the second quarter. On the play, the Eagles missed about six or seven tackles. Johnson had 112 yards and two scores in the first half.
The Eagles’ first-half touchdown came on a 22-yard pass from Sam Bradford to Zach Ertz. Bradford was 15 for 20 for 148 yards in the first half.
In the first two quarters, the Cardinals outgained the Eagles, 298-186.
Turning point
The Eagles had a chance to score just before the end of the first half, but turned the ball over on downs. The Cardinals scored another touchdown on their first drive of the second half after an Eagles punt and the game was out of reach.
Key stat
Cardinals running back Johnson finished with 187 yards. That’s the most for a rookie against the Eagles since Tony Dorsett had 206 in 1977.
Johnson became just the third player ever to rush for 150-plus yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles. He joined Joseph Addai and Jim Brown.
Offensive stud
Jordan Matthews did drop a pass in the first half, but had a big game. He finished with eight catches for 159 yards, which included a 78-yard touchdown.
Ertz also had a nice day. He had eight catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Offensive dud
DeMarco Murray, the Eagles’ big free-agent acquisition, barley touched the ball. Heck, he was barely on the field. He ended up with two attempts for three yards.
Defensive stud
Fletcher Cox had a sack and now has 7½ on the year. Before this season, his career high was 5½.
Defensive dud
The Eagles’ run defense as a whole gets this award. Even if it didn’t let the rookie Johnson go for over 100 yards, it still gets this award for the terrible effort on the 47-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
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Injuries
The Eagles lost cornerback Eric Rowe in the first half with a concussion. Byron Maxwell suffered a shoulder injury in the first half. The Eagles also lost receiver Seyi Ajirotutu to an ankle injury for the game.
Up next
The Eagles host the Redskins next Saturday night, before traveling to face the Giants to close out the regular season on Jan. 3.
