The Eagles Win, Barely

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The legend of Nick Foles continues.

Just a month ago, the Eagles playoff chances were listed at less than one percent. Fast forward to today, they knocked off Khalil Mack and the 12-4 Bears to clinch a spot in the divisional round. Down 15-10 (the same score of the Eagles divisional playoff victory over Atlanta last year) with a minute to go in the ballgame, Nick Foles found Golden Tate in the end zone on fourth & goal for a lead the Eagles wouldn’t relinquish… until they almost did. Bears gadget RB Tarik Cohen took the ensuing kickoff 35 yards down to the CHI 42, and after a 25 yard dime from Mitchell Trubisky to Allen Robinson (10/143/1), the stage was set for Bears kicker (and former Eagles pro bowler) Cody Parkey to knock down the game winning field goal to earn a trip to LA.

Robinson gained 8 more yards to bring Chicago to the Eagles 25, and after a spike and an incompletion, Parkey trotted out to kick the 43-yard winner. Parkey had been notorious all season for hitting the uprights on his field goals, but this time he drained it. Luckily, Doug Pederson called a timeout to ice Parkey. He lined up for his second attempt, and all he had to do was the exact same thing he had done thirty seconds prior.

And he hit the upright, the crossbar, then the turf.

No good.

Eagles fans let out a collective sigh of relief, and Nick Foles (266 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) lived to see another day in midnight green. The crowd rained “boos” on Parkey as he walked off, and Twitter went absolutely ballistic. Philly now gets a shot to avenge their 48-7 beatdown at the hands of Drew Brees and Co. in the divisional round.

The Eagles will play the New Orleans Saints Sunday at 4:40 PM ET.

By Micah JImoh