Saints kicker Shayne Graham celebrates the game-winning field goal in the Eagles 26-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)
The final 4:54 of the game was like watching a car crash in slow motion. It was evident of the Eagles demise. It was still just as painful to watch.
The Philadelphia Eagles had fought a tough night for the offense to remain in the game right to the bitter end.
It proved to be bitter thanks to Shayne Graham, who made the game-winning, 32-yard field goal as time expired to give the New Orleans Saints a 26-24 win over the Eagles on Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Both offenses struggled from the start. Drew Brees looked uncomfortable in the pocket. Nick Foles struggled to find open receivers and keep the ball moving as LeSean McCoy was wrapped up for short yardage.
Even benefitting from an interception by Brees, the Eagles could not cash in during a scoreless first quarter. The Eagles had a late-quarter drive go into the red zone before a pair of plays for a loss of yards pushed the Eagles deep in field-goal range. Alex Henery missed the 46-yard attempt.
With the short field, the Saints were able to strike first, reaching the red zone before settling for a 36-yard field goal by Graham.
The Eagles responded with an interception of Brees by DeMeco Ryans. That set up a six-play, 44-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Foles to Riley Cooper.
With 1:48 remaining in the half, the Saints marched down the field to kick a field goal going into the half with the Eagles holding a one-point lead.
The Eagles wasted the opening possession of the second half, setting up another scoring drive for the Saints as Brees started to find his form. The Saints needed just six plays and just over three minutes to drive down for a 24-yard touchdown pass from Brees to Lance Moore.
After another Eagles punt, the Saints charged up-field again to score another touchdown. This time, Mark Ingram punched his way into the end zone from four yards out.
That set off the Eagles comeback attempt. The next drive lasted seven plays, culminating with a one-yard touchdown run for McCoy.
The Eagles would add a 31-yard field goal to cut the lead to three before the Saints responded with a field goal to put the lead back at six.
With eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Foles had to lead the charge. He did, getting the benefit of a pass interference penalty on Corey White for disrupting DeSean Jackson and finishing a nine-play drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz.
That left the Saints with 4:54 to go. The kickoff was returned to the 35 but aided by a horsecollar penalty on Cary Williams. That put the ball at midfield for the Saints. Using a strong running game, the Saints ran the clock down to three seconds remaining before Graham kicked the game-winning, 32-yard field goal to end the Eagles season.
The Eagles offense struggled mightily through the game. The Eagles were limited to just 256 total yards of offense while the Saints picked up 434 yards. The Saints also out-ran the Eagles, 185-80.
So the first season under Chip Kelly comes to a close with a 10-7 record and a loss in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs. The miraculous season that carried the Eagles into the playoffs is also through. But what a ride it was, and it sets up even more possibilities for the Eagles in the years to come.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Look for his Monday Review the morning after every Eagles game. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
