Philadelphia Eagles: Season saved by the uprights

The Philadelphia Eagles played a great game to defeat the Chicago Bears. But, the biggest thanks go to the goalposts that saved the Eagles season.

The Philadelphia Eagles were able to defeat the Chicago Bears in their Wild Card matchup with the help of an upright and a crossbar. The last-second field goal attempt by Bears kicker — and former Eagle — Cody Parkey shockingly hit the left upright and fell straight down to hit the crossbar and bounce forward into the end zone.

That play capped off a wild 16-15 win for the Eagles that has them advancing in the playoffs, now eyeing a Divisional Round matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

This was the type of ending that wouldn’t be believable even in a Hollywood script. Kickers have missed game-winning field goals before, but bouncing off of two parts of the goalpost and leaving everyone watching in utter shock just doesn’t happen. Yet it did on Sunday Night in Chicago.

That kick will deservedly overshadow the previous 59 minutes and 50 seconds of game leading up to that point. But the game itself had all the lead changes and drama that we have come to expect out of a playoff classic.

Nick Foles and the Eagles did fairly well moving the ball down the field in the first half, but didn’t have much to show for it on the scoreboard. Foles’ two interceptions stopped two potential scoring drives, although the first interception did hit the hands of Wendell Smallwood before it was stripped away.

Trailing 6-3 at the midway point, the offense was able to march 83 yards on their first possession of the second half to take a 10-6 lead. Of course, that isn’t the drive that will be most remembered from this game.

Down 15-10 with 4:48 remaining, the Eagles had one final chance to take the lead with the ball in Foles’ hands. That drive culminated with a touchdown reception by Golden Tate on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

The Bears still had a chance, however. Mitchell Trubisky was able to make a couple key throws to get the Bears in field goal range. That’s when the Eagles found their 12th and 13th man on defense — the upright and crossbar.

This wasn’t the prettiest game the Eagles ever played, but the defense had arguably their best game of the season, limiting the Bears to just 15 points at home. The young makeshift secondary held strong all game and didn’t make any big mistakes.

If the Eagles have any chance at winning in New Orleans for the Divisional Round, they’ll need another big performance out of the defense like they had this week. The Eagles will also need their offense to have one their best outings to pull of the upset.

It’s still too early to dive into the details of next week’s Divisional Round matchup against the Saints. Until then, the Eagles can sit back and thank the football gods that the uprights were on their side.