Philadelphia Eagles: 3 reasons being underdogs at home to Vikings is better

On their first possession, Foles lofted a pass to Torrey Smith who drew a pass interference call, to put the Eagles in business at the Atlanta 33 and to set off frenzied cheers.

Ryan said of the play: “Certainly in those situations you want to go to your best players”. That’s what we thought was the best play to go win the game. If nothing else, Foles was way off most of the first half. Foles connected on 11-of-15 passes but for only 101 yards. Saturday night, there he was again, and that had many Eagles fans on edge.

They will either need to pick another breed or perhaps visit a local costume store. The defense made a few mistakes as they let Jones slip free on a crucial 4th down play in the 4th quarter, but they held tight in one of the most thrilling goal line stances in playoff history. The Eagles defense hung tough on a key fourth down in the red zone, keeping Matt Ryan and Julio Jones from converting and preserving a 15-10 victory.

But the Great Dane of the Eagles’ first playoff win in nine years was head coach Doug Pederson, the architect of a playbook that coaxed just enough from quarterback Nick Foles to churn out four scoring drives, three of which ended in Jake Elliott field goals. As the drive continued the Falcons were inching closer and closer to the end zone. You can watch it below.

Marcus Mariota found Corey Davis for a 15-yard score in the first quarter, but the Patriots then scored five touchdowns on the bounce to put the game out of reach.

More importantly, it took Foles out of the precarious position of playmaker and shifted him into the role of game manager. Here’s what Julio Jones has to say on the subject. For the Eagles and their new No. 1 quarterback trying to make like a modern-day Jeff Hostetler, it was just as relieving to get the win as it was euphoric in South Philly. The drive nearly ended after Pederson took another risk and challenged a catch by Mohammed Sanu, a call that was reversed by officials. Ajayi, a midseason acquisition, carried for 54 yards over all. Atlanta had issues converting those opportunities all season.

After his hot start, he didn’t even get on the field on the Eagles’ last two drives of the first half.

The remaining Eagles scratches: wide receiver Marcus Johnson, cornerback Sidney Jones, running back Wendell Smallwood and offensive tackle Will Beatty. The Bears lost to the Packers in Chicago in January 2010, and the Falcons lost to the 49ers in Atlanta in January 2012.

However, six minutes later, a blocked punt put the Saints in excellent field position and Brees delivered, finding Alvin Kamara with a ideal pass in the end zone to give New Orleans their first lead of the game, 21-20.

None of that inspires much confidence, but it does get the Eagles to next week and a date with either the Vikings or Saints in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday. The Eagles are the one seed which means one of those two teams will be making the trip to Philadelphia.