Philadelphia clinches top seed in NFC playoffs
PHILADELPHIA — Jake Elliott kicked a 48yard field goal with 22 seconds left, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs with a sloppy 19-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Monday night.
Ronald Darby intercepted Derek Carr’s pass and ran it back 52 yards with 54 seconds left but was ruled down by contact at the spot of the pick. Nick Foles then completed four straight passes for 21 yards. After an incomplete pass, Elliott nailed his kick right down the middle.
Derek Barnett returned a fumble for a touchdown after picking up a lateral on Oakland’s final play from scrimmage.
The Eagles (13-2) went to the Super Bowl and lost 2421 to New England the last time they had home-field advantage following the 2004 season.
The Raiders (6-9) have had a disappointing season and were eliminated from the playoff chase Sunday.
Still, playing for pride, Oakland nearly spoiled Philadelphia’s Christmas.
Carr threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper to tie it at 7 early in the second quarter. Giorgio Tavecchio kicked a 25-yard field goal on the opening drive of the third quarter to give the Raiders a 10-7 lead.
The teams traded turnovers on three straight possessions, starting with Patrick Robinson intercepting Carr and returning it to Oakland’s 44.
Eagles left guard Chance Warmack then caused Jay Ajayi to fumble when he tried to push the pile and hit his teammate. The Raiders recovered at their 30 but gave it back on the next play when Marshawn Lynch fumbled at the same spot.
Philadelphia couldn’t do much with excellent field position and settled for Elliott’s tying 35-yard field goal.
After Tavecchio missed a 48-yarder with 7:58 left, Foles threw a pass that bounced off Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz’s hands and was intercepted by Reggie Nelson at the Eagles 37.
But Philadelphia quickly got the ball back when Malcolm Jenkins stripped Jalen Richard and recovered it at the Eagles’ 16.