PHILADELPHIA − The halftime score was somewhat deceiving.
The Eagles took a 21-6 lead, but their previous struggles on defense were still apparent. And Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon, the former Eagles defensive coordinator, knew how to exploit the weaknesses.
CARDINALS UPSET EAGLES 🚨
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 31, 2023
PHILLY HAS LOST 4 OF THEIR LAST 5
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/sZZhLU4PSH
Arizona had a time of possession advantage of 21:32 to just 8:28
But Jalen Hurts' 22-yard touchdown drive with 16 seconds left in the half, on a ball that was tipped, put the Eagles in front by 15. That drive was aided by a fake "tush push." Facing a 3rd-and-1 from the Cardinals' 39, the Eagles lined up in the formation, but Hurts pitched to Kenny Gainwell, who threw a 17-yard pass to DeVonta Smith to the 22.
Jones scored on the next play.
Hurts was 11-for-13 for 144 yards and 2 TDs in the first half.
But the Eagles couldn't stop the Cardinals in the third quarter, either. Arizona sandwiched two touchdown drives around an Eagles' 3-and-out. Just like that, the Cardinals tied the game with 2:01 left in the third quarter.
What a game... Still thinking about this catch 🔥pic.twitter.com/YSmmPorClF
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) December 31, 2023
The Eagles had a 14-3 lead with 11:44 left in the second quarter after Sydney Brown intercepted Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray at the Eagles' 1 yard line and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown.
In fact, the Cardinals had long drives on all three of their possessions. But the Eagles held them to two field goals. On the first drive, after the Eagles went 3-and-out to start the game, Arizona had a first down at the Eagles' 3.
But Milton Williams sacked Murray, ultimately leading to a field goal, after a drive that lasted 7 minutes, 46 seconds. Arizona added a field goal with 1:50 left, getting to the Eagles' 16 yard line. That drive lasted 9:54.
Every Eagles fan right now pic.twitter.com/sl3owLy5Ms
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) December 31, 2023
After the Cardinals' first field goal, Hurts took the Eagles down the field, capping the drive with a 12-yard TD pass to Jones with 36 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Cardinals were driving down the field on their next possession when Brown picked off Murray, who lofted the ball toward the end zone while Rondale Moore cut off his route.
The Eagles seemed happier after defending themselves over whether they're enjoying victories as much as they should.
It didn't last.
The 49ers CLINCH the 1st seed
— JAY® (@JayLGK) December 31, 2023
Brock Purdy breaks the franchise record
Kittle hit 1K
Defense got their turnovers
Brandon Aiyuk another 100 yarder
Eagles choked again
What a day man…what a day pic.twitter.com/JsM4C5tz7L
Eagles blow lead, then retake it in 4th quarter, then lose it again
The defense didn't get any better in the third quarter as the Cardinals tied the game.
Then Hurts took matters into his own hands, leading the Eagles down the field, both with the run and the pass. He ran for the first time Sunday on that drive, picking up 9 yards. He also lost 7 yards. Still, Hurts finished the drive with a 9-yard TD pass to Dallas Goedert for a 28-21 lead with 9:55 left.
It was up to the defense to hold off the Cardinals. They couldn't. Kyler Murray converted a 4th-and-4 from the Eagles' 5, hitting Michael Wilson in the end zone to tie the game again at 28-28 with 5:26 left.
The throw, the catch, the SPIKE 🤩@Jalenhurts x @goedert33 pic.twitter.com/ppIgLCQ1B3
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 31, 2023
Eagles still can't stop Cardinals as 15-point lead disappears
That didn't take long.
Arizona scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, sandwiched around the Eagles' 3-and-out. Just like that, it was 21-21.
Murray's 6-yard TD pass on the first possession made it 21-13. Then the Cardinals again drove down the field. This time, Murray escaped a sack, then threw off his back foot to James Conner i he end zone.
You thought you knew what was coming 😉@KENNETHGAINWEL x @DeVontaSmith_6 pic.twitter.com/WpNZkpi6IZ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 31, 2023
It was the second straight week the Eagles blew a big halftime lead. They led 20-3 against the Giants on Monday, then gave up 15 straight points.
Sydney Brown returns INT for 99 yards, Eagles lead 14-3
The Cardinals continued to move down the field. But for a second straight drive, the Eagles buckled down when it mattered most.
Jalen Carter's sack on 2nd down from the Eagles' 21, set up a 3rd-and-7. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray threw a pass toward the corner of the end zone that rookie Sydney Brown picked off at the 1. He ran down the sideline, then cut to the middle and went 99 yards for a touchdown.
For Brown, it was his first career interception and first career touchdown, giving the Eagles a 14-3 lead with 11:44 left in the second quarter.
