Eagles Fall To Seahawks In Wild Card Playoff Heartbreaker

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Philadelphia Eagles season ended Sunday in heartbreaking fashion, as they lost a gritty heartbreaker to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card playoff game.

The handicapped Birds, playing with numerous second and third stringers, nonetheless gave the Seahawks a run for their money, battling to the final minutes of the game. But ultimately could not get past an unforgiving Seahawks defense, especially after losing star quarterback Carson Wentz to a head injury early in the game.

Without Wentz, the Birds were forced to turn to yet another improbable backup, 40-year-old Josh McCown, who appeared to battle through numerous injuries to keep the Eagles in the game.

Favoring his ankle and then his hamstring, McCown nonetheless gritted through to guide the Birds deep into Seahawks territory twice in the fourth quarter. But on both occasions, the Seahawks red zone defense proved too much, stopping the Birds on fourth down attempts twice.

The Seahawks ultimately won by the same score they defeated the Eagles by back in November, 17-9.

It's a bittersweet end to the season for the Eagles and their fans, who undoubtedly had much loftier postseason goals back in September. But given the rash of injuries, a midseason slump, and the heroics the team needed just to get to this point, it's hard to feel too disappointed. After all, it was just a month ago that the team was 5-7, fresh off a defeat at the hands of the last-place Miami Dolphins.

But the Birds never gave up, winning four straight to capture the NFC East division crown and earn a playoff home game.

The game was a defensive matchup from the get-go, and the score remained just 3-3 until the closing minutes of the first half.

With just over a minute remaining, the Seahawks drove down to the Eagles' six yard line and handed the ball off to veteran Marshawn Lynch, fresh out of retirement, who twisted and barreled his way through the Birds defense for a touchdown:

This game was no different than many of the Birds recent matchups in that injuries hit them early and often. Both defensive end Brandon Graham and quarterback Carson Wentz left the game in the first half. First to go was Wentz, who took a brutal hit from Seahawks defender Jadeveon Clowney.

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Clowney's helmet smacked into Wentz's as the two went down; Wentz was also already heading toward the ground when Clowney hit him, and many were outraged no penalty was called. Wentz left with what was called a head injury, and did not return.

Carson Wentz went to the locker room after taking this hit from Jadeveon Clowney #SEAvsPHI pic.twitter.com/gdwK1UXCn0
— Kevin Boilard (@247KevinBoilard) January" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/247KevinBo... 5, 2020

In Wentz's absence the Birds turned to yet another improbable backup in McCown, a 40-year-old who threw five passes for entirety of the 2019 season.

McCown and the Birds came out firing to start the second half, driving down inside the Seahawks' 10 yard line on the heels of a 32-yard completion to Zach Ertz. The Seahawks, however, made a huge stop, and the Birds were forced to settle for a field goal.

The Seahawks roared back instantly on the ensuing drive, as Russell Wilson connected with top target and rookie star D.K. Metcalf on a 53-yard touchdown, putting the Seahawks up 17-6.

Though the Birds managed to get another field goal, the Seahawks defense deep in their own zone proved insurmountable. The Birds had to settle for three field goals, unable to convert touchdowns in the red zone.

With just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Eagles drove down to the Seahawks' 30, and were stopped in their tracks on fourth down when Miles Sanders dropped a pass that would've given them the first down.