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The Philadelphia Eagles are NFC East champions. Philadelphia rallied from a 5-7 start to win its final four games and capture the NFC East title with a 34-17 victory over the New York Giants, the team's second division title in three years and third consecutive playoff appearance (the first time the franchise accomplished the latter since 2008-2010).
With the victory, the Eagles eliminated the Dallas Cowboys from playoff contention. Philadelphia defeated Dallas last week to set up the "win and in" scenario in Week 17, which the Eagles took advantage of in order to advance to the postseason.
The Eagles will host a playoff game in the wild-card round next week against the loser of the 49ers-Seahawks game Sunday night. Philadelphia scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to earn the win, a game in which the offense lost running back Miles Sanders and right guard Brandon Brooks due to injuries in the first half. The Eagles were already without their top four wide receivers, and started three receivers who began the year on the practice squad. Right tackle Lane Johnson missed the game with an ankle sprain.
Carson Wentz finished 23 of 40 for 289 yards and a touchdown. Wentz became the first Eagles quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season and has thrown a touchdown pass in 19 consecutive games. Boston Scott had three rushing touchdowns, becoming the first Eagles player with three in a game since LeSean McCoy in 2011.
The Eagles defense had four sacks and forced two turnovers in holding the Giants offense to 17 points. Saquon Barkley had a 68-yard touchdown run, finishing with 17 carries for 92 yards.
Philadelphia gets at least one more game in a season full of comebacks and injuries. Let's take a look at some takeaways.
Why the Eagles won
Philadelphia has been ravaged with injuries all season long and suffered more when they lost Brooks and Sanders. Scott filled the void in specular fashion, finishing with 19 carries for 54 yards and three touchdowns, also leading the Eagles with four catches for 84 yards. Scott finished with 138 yards on the day, particularly impressive for a player who was called up from the practice squad in October. Scott provided a spark in the passing game with his ability to turn short passes into first downs and was a huge reason why the Eagles went 3 for 4 in the red zone. The Eagles wouldn't have won the NFC East without Scott's contributions the past four weeks.
Why the Giants lost
New York gave Philadelphia everything it could handle in the first half, but turnovers in the second half prevented the Giants from pulling off the upset. The Giants offensive line didn't do Daniel Jones any favors, as the rookie quarterback barely had any time to throw the ball, which led to costly overthrows and four sacks by an Eagles defense that applied constant pressure throughout the game. Barkley had his long touchdown but otherwise managed just 24 yards on 16 carries, including losing yards on fourth-and-2 with the Giants trailing 27-17 midway through the fourth quarter. The Giants miscues and inability to capitalize against a depleted Eagles defense cost them a chance to finish 5-11.
Turning point
With the Eagles up 20-17 in the fourth quarter, Daniel Jones received a low snap from center Jon Halapio that resulted in disaster. In the pouring rain, Jones bobbled the snap before gaining control of the ball, but Malcolm Jenkins was right there to knock it out again. The ball rolled toward the Giants end zone as Fletcher Cox dove on it at the 1-yard line.
Scott scored a touchdown on the next play to put the Eagles up 27-17 with 13:03 left. The Giants went three-and-out on their next series and the Eagles wrapped up the NFC East.
Play of the game
An incredible game by Scott was highlighted by a third-and-13 catch from the Giants' 41-yard line. Wentz threw a screen to Scott, who eluded a leaping Lorenzo Carter and got the first down, taking the pass 39 yards for his longest reception of the game. The Eagles had first-and-goal at the Giants' 2-yard line.
Scott scored his third touchdown of the game on the next play, putting the Eagles up 34-17 with 6:19 to play. That third-down catch wrapped up the NFC East.
Quotable
"I'm just thankful. To be in this moment with these guys, it's something I don't take for granted. Hopefully we can do something special." - Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz on the Fox broadcast after the win.
Wentz will play a playoff game for the first time. This was the first Week 17 game Wentz played in since his rookie season, and he delivered a trip to the playoffs.
Up next
The Eagles will host a wild card game at a time and date to be determined against the loser of the 49ers-Seahawks game Monday night. The Eagles have never faced the Seahawks in the playoffs and last faced San Francisco in the playoffs in 1996. The Giants season is over as the franchise awaits the fate of head coach Pat Shurmur.
For an instant recap, be sure to check out the live blog below.
