Underdog Eagles to play for NFC title

PHILADELPHIA — Fly, Eagles, fly.

With Nick Foles engineering several long drives, Jake Elliott converting three field goals and the defense getting stingy in the tightest spot, the Eagles moved into the NFC Championship Game with a 15- 10 victory Saturday against the Falcons.

Foles directed marches of 74 and 80 yards in the second half, and Elliott atoned for missing an extra point by converting from 53 yards in the second quarter, 37 in the third and 21 in the fourth. Then the Eagles’ defense held when the Falcons had first- and- goal from the 9- yard line in the last two minutes.

When quarterback Matt Ryan’s final pass sailed over receiver Julio Jones’ head in the end zone on fourth- and- goal from the 2, the Eagles celebrated their first playoff victory since the 2008 season.

‘‘ We just kept believing in each other,’’ said Foles, who became the starter when Carson Wentz suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December. ‘‘ That was it. Our team never wavered. The defense did an amazing job. . . . That’s just been the story this year is that we just all stuck together.’’

Despite being underdogs as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Eagles showed plenty of moxie.

‘‘ Just keep on disrespecting, and we’re going to keep proving people wrong,’’ former Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery said.

The Falcons memorably blew a 28- 3 lead to the Patriots in the Super Bowl last season. They won’t get the opportunity to atone for it, though Ryan got them close at the end.

‘‘ The reason I play this game is to win a championship,’’ Ryan said. ‘‘ That’s why we put all of the hard work we put in. When you don’t get that result, it’s difficult.’’