After being down by 15 points at half time, the Arizona Cardinals end 2023 by shocking the Philadelphia Eagles with a last-gasp touchdown, winning 35-31.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Eagles were opportunistic when in ball possession early on, snatching the momentum quick.
Philadelphia wide receiver Julio Jones turned back the clock and recorded two touchdowns. In his thirteenth NFL season and first as an Eagle, the seven-year Pro Bowl WR only had seven receptions coming into today.
Cardinals kicker Matt Prater made two field goals, but that was the only way Arizona would get on the board through the first-two quarters.
Having a rough first half, quarterback Kyler Murray was sacked, gave up a fumble and a crucial interception, leading to a Pick 6.
Trying to defend their end zone, Eagles safety Sydney Brown caught a pass from Murray, darted towards the other end of the field and scored a 99-yard touchdown.
Down 21-6, Murray and the Cardinals offense found a breakthrough, however, coming out of halftime rejuvenated.
Arizona RB Michael Carter constructed two drives for 37 yards before sprinting into the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown.
Then, Cardinals’ star running back James Conner made a one-handed catch and corralled it to his chest for a TD before WR Michael Wilson converted a successful two-point conversion to tie the game 21-21.
Booing during the second half, the Eagles faithful erupted even louder, voicing their displeasure with the officiating and their team.
Jalen Hurts scrambled before finding tight end Dallas Goedert by himself for a 9-yard score before Wilson knotted up the game on fourth down with a 5-yard touchdown, 28-28 with 5:36 left in the final quarter.
With the time dwindling down, Eagles kicker Jake Elliott hit a 43-yard field goal for a 31-28 lead.
However, Conner eventually spoiled the party in Pennsylvania as he rushed for the game-winning TD with just 0:32 left, capturing a 35-31 win.
Final Notes
In a nail-biter, the Cardinals snapped a two-game losing streak, improving to 4-12 on the season.
Arizona will wrap up their schedule against the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday.
Coming in as overwhelming favorites, Philadelphia suffered their fourth defeat in five games, dropping to 11-5 and will face the New York Giants on Jan. 7 before the playoffs begin.
Key Stats
Arizona: 449 total yards, 32 1st downs, 228 passing and 221 rushing yards
Philadelphia: 275 total yards, 17 1st downs, 184 passing and 91 rushing yards
Passing
- Cardinals – QB Kyler Murray: 25-31, 232 yards, 3 TD, 1 interception
- Eagles – QB Jalen Hurts: 18-23, 167 yards, 3 TD, 1 interceptions.
Rushing
- Cardinals – RB James Conner: 26 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD.
- Eagles – RB D’Andre Swift: 13 carries, 61 yards
Receiving
- Cardinals – WR Greg Dortch: 7 receptions, 82 yards
- Eagles – WR A.J. Brown: 4 receptions, 53 yards
Matt Prater Gets Closer to History Against the Philadelphia Eagles
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Alec Cipollini is a reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
