Philly shrugs off injuries, beats N.Y., wins NFC East title
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Boston Scott ran for three touchdowns in the second half and the injurythinned Philadelphia Eagles beat the New York Giants 3417 on Sunday to win the NFC East title.
The Eagles (97), who won their final four games, prevailed in the regularseason finale despite the absence of seven starters on offense.
“We’re still hungry,” quarterback Carson Wentz said. “We’re not done yet.”
Already missing three starting wide receivers for the fourth straight game, the Eagles also began the game without Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz and right tackle Lane Johnson. Then they lost running back Miles Sanders and threetime Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks to injuries in the first half.
But Scott, Josh Perkins, Greg Ward, Deontay Burnett and Robert Davis combined for 16 catches on 25 targets, 225 yards receiving, 54 yards rushing and four TDs. The five players were cut a combined eight times by four teams since Aug. 31.
“You never want injuries but for these guys coming from the practice squad, the journeys they’ve been on, it makes it that much sweeter,” Wentz said.
The Eagles are in the playoffs for the third straight season but Wentz will make his first postseason start. He was sidelined after knee surgery in 2017 when Nick Foles led Philadelphia to its first Super Bowl title. He was injured again last year when Foles took the Eagles to the divisional round.
Wentz threw for 289 yards, including a 24yard TD pass to Perkins, who was promoted from the practice squad Nov. 30.
Daniel Jones passed for 301 yards for New York (412).