A REAL CRUSHING VICTORY
Eagles clinch NFC East, but Wentz’s knee injury a devastating blow
LOS ANGELES — The Eagles might have lost star quarterback Carson Wentz even as they clinched the NFC East title.
Wentz completed 23 of 41 passes for 291 yards and four touchdowns before leaving with an injured left knee, and Jake Elliott kicked the goahead 33- yard field goal with 3: 45 remaining for the Eagles ( 11- 2), who beat the Rams 43- 35 in a thriller Sunday to clinch their first division title since 2013.
Two sources familiar with the injury said that doctors believe Wentz tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season and playoffs.
“I don’t know anything yet until we evaluate him fully [ after an MRI exam Monday],” coach Doug Pederson said. “It’s just a report. You’re speculating that he’s going to be out. Iwas really blocked on the play, so I’ve got to check out the tape tonight on the way home. He did get up a little hobbly. I knew something was up but didn’t know the extent of it, obviously.”
Asked about Wentz’s mood, Pederson said: “He’s excited. NFC East champs, he’s fired up.”
Wentz suffered the injury as he dove into the end zone on a play that was negated by a holding penalty. He stayed in the game for four plays, connecting with Alshon Jeffery for a three- yard touchdown pass on fourth- and- goal to give the Eagles a 31- 28 lead.
“I just saw him favoring his leg a little bit, and it’s just one of those things where he toughed it out, threw a touchdown,” said backup quarterback Nick Foles ( 6- for- 10, 42 yards), who led the Eagles to two field goals in his first two drives and had a key nine- yard pass to Nelson Agholor on third- and- eight as the Eagles were trying to run out the clock. “He’s one of the toughest players I’ve played with. He came to the side and got checked, and I was told be ready to go in.”
Seeing Wentz go out didn’t change the Rams’ thoughts on their chances to win.
“There was still the whole fourth quarter left, and Nick’s no slouch himself,” said Rams quarterback Jared Goff ( 16- for- 26, 199 yards, two touchdowns). “He’s played in the league for a long time and can do some things and clearly showed that tonight.”
Foles said Wentz was waiting for the team when it came into the locker room after the game.
“The guys really rallied. It means a lot to this team, it means a lot to me,” he said. “[ We’re] excited we’re NFC East champs, but it’s emotional, a guy you work with every day who you think the world of, you know I think he’s the MVP. It’s not easy, but I know this team will step up and rally no matter what.”
The Rams took a 35- 31 lead on a one- yard run by Todd Gurley ( 13 carries, 96 yards) with 13: 58 remaining in the game.
Elliott kicked a 41- yard field goal to pull the Eagles to 35- 34. His goahead field goal was set up when Chris Long, a second- round draft pick of the then- St. Louis Rams in 2008, had a strip- sack of Goff, with Rodney McLeod recovering.
The game ended on a crazy play, when Philadelphia’s Brandon Graham grabbed a lateral by Tavon Austin out of the air and scored what was ruled a 16- yard fumble return.
The Rams ( 9- 4) still sit alone atop the NFC West after the Seahawks ( 8- 5) lost to the Jaguars 30- 24.
The Eagles led 24- 14 at halftime, but the Rams took the opening kickoff for a touchdown, then returned a blocked punt for a score to give them a 28- 24 lead five minutes into the second half.