Adrian Fedkiw
The 2019 Philadelphia Eagles season hit rock bottom with a loss in Miami.
An embarrassment to one of the worst teams in the NFL coupled with all the injuries the Eagles possessed, they had their backs against the wall.
They were underdogs again.
Turns out they had the division exactly where they wanted it.
If only they could’ve made it easier for themselves.
Boston Scott ran for three touchdowns, Carson Wentz continued his clutch play and Philadelphia clinched the NFC East with a 34-17 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in the regular season finale.
Wentz was 23-of-40 for 289 yards and a touchdown and while he didn’t have the precise precision that he’s exhibited over recent weeks, he made some key completions downfield. The touchdown to Josh Perkins was a thing of beauty, tossing the ball all the way from the 30 near the right sideline to the front left pylon before Perkins leapt and grabbed it.
Wentz rolls out and Perkins makes the defense pay!#PHIvsNYG | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/92BeIV73LA
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 29, 2019
There were other gems, like the 41-yard dime on the run to Deontay Burnett and this dart to Dallas Goedert along the right sideline. Goedert caught four passes for 65 yards in the absence of Zach Ertz, who reportedly has a lacerated kidney according to Philly Voice.
Come for the throw, stay for the catch.#PHIvsNYG | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/YkhXf38NFT
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 29, 2019
Wentz’s emergence as Superman the last month has quieted all the critics and silenced all doubt that he is the unquestioned franchise quarterback of the Eagles.
He’s not clutch!
Wentz has two game-winning touchdown drives the last month.
He’s got four touchdowns in the fourth quarter the last month.
Four wins needed, four games against the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys won.
Not clutch?! That’s now in the past.
Scott emerged again following an injury to Miles Sanders in the first half. Scott ran it into the end zone three times from inside the 10, but it’s the threat that he continues to be in the flats.
Great Scott!#PHIvsNYG | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/TbdWg7eG3m
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 29, 2019
And another one.
We’re running out of Boston Scott references.#PHIvsNYG | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/5mTPkXIoP1
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 30, 2019
The defense stepped up on Sunday too. The Eagles had been struggling defensively on the road coming in, allowing 29 points per game on the road as opposed to 16.75 at home. The Birds had registered 25 sacks at home and only 14 on the road, but the pressure was relentless. Stunts and blitzes were wearing the Giants’ defensive line out and Philly tallied four sacks in all.
One of those included this Daniel Jones fumble, which was recovered by Fletcher Cox at the 1-yard line.
Defense comes up clutch!#PHIvsNYG | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/WgRiR4cCfv
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 30, 2019
The Eagles finally created some separation following the recovery, with Scott’s 1-yard TD plunge giving the Birds a 27-17 advantage early in the fourth. A Scott 2-yard TD run following a New York turnover on downs put the game on ice with 6:14 to play.
Philadelphia will host a home playoff game next Sunday against Seattle after the Seahawks lost to the San Francisco 49ers, who locked up the NFC West and the conference’s No. 1 seed.