It wasn’t pretty but, at this point, the Eagles will take wins however they come.
The Eagles did just enough on Sunday to take down the Buffalo Bills 23-20 at Lincoln Financial Field to keep their playoffs hopes alive and well.
The Eagles were able to drive down the field late in the fourth quarter to set up a 30-yard Caleb Sturgis field goal for the win with 3:26 left. After the field goal, the Eagles’ defense stopped the Bills twice to hold on for the win.
Ed Reynolds picked off a pass to seal the victory late in the fourth quarter.
LeSean McCoy had an OK afternoon, but the Eagles were able to spoil his homecoming. McCoy had a big first half, but finished with just 74 yards on the day.
With the win, the Eagles improved to 6-7 on the season and kept pace in the NFC East battle. They will have a chance to reach .500 next week against Arizona.
With the loss, the Bills dropped to 6-7 on the year.
Sturgis made all three of his field goals on the afternoon, which was the difference in the tight game.
First half
The Eagles took a 17-10 lead into the locker room, despite getting outgained 240-202 in the first half.
McCoy led all ball-carriers with 63 yards in the first half. Sam Bradford was 16 for 22 for 139 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
The Eagles got on the board first Sunday, as they scored on their first offensive possession of the afternoon. The Eagles went 61 yards on eight plays and Darren Sproles punched it in from the 1-yard line.
The Bills tied it up on the next possession, as Sammy Watkins beat Byron Maxwell and Reynolds for a 47-yard touchdown.
A few possessions later, the Eagles scored on a long touchdown of their own. Bradford hit Nelson Agholor for a 53-yard touchdown strike. It was the first touchdown of Agholor’s young NFL career.
The Eagles and Bills traded field goals to end the half.
The Birds got the ball on their own 20 with 1:28 left in the first half and were able to march down the field to get points. Sturgis booted a 45-yarder to put them up 17-10.
Turning point
The Eagles got a big 41-yard gain late in the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning field goal. The pass went to Zach Ertz, who got a pick from Josh Huff, and went 41 yards to get the Birds into field-goal range.
Key stat
The Bills were penalized 15 times for 101 yards on Sunday. They made life a little easier on the Eagles.
Offensive stud
No, Bradford didn’t put up flashy numbers, but the Eagles' quarterback was very sound and consistent against the Bills. He completed 23 of 38 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown. His one interception happened when Leodis McKelvin simply took a ball out of Brent Celek’s hands.
Offensive dud
DeMarco Murray was just a role player on Sunday and continued his normal production, which means there wasn’t much production.
Defensive stud
On his 25th birthday, Fletcher Cox was pretty unblockable. He got constant pressure all afternoon. With his first-half sack, he set a new career high for sacks.
Defensive dud
Maxwell had a tough day. He was beat a few times, including by Watkins on the long first-half touchdown pass.
Injuries
Jason Peters left the game for a series in the first half to get his ankle taped. Dennis Kelly filled in at left tackle and was penalized for holding on his first two snaps.
Eric Rowe left the field in the second half but was able to return.
Up next
The Eagles host Arizona next week and Washington the following week. Both are primetime games. The Birds then finish their regular season on the road against the Giants on Jan. 3.
