Ailing Eagles win division
Despite missing many key starters, they book trip to NFC playoffs
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Wearing green “The East Is Not Enough” T-shirts and division champion baseball caps, the Eagles showed off their dance moves in the visiting locker room.
A group of backups, reserves and former practice squad players helped the team secure a playoff berth.
Boston Scott ran for three touchdowns in the second half and the injury-ravaged Eagles beat the Giants 34-17 on Sunday to win the NFC East title.
Carson Wentz led the Eagles (9-7) to four straight must-wins and the team finished an elimination game without seven starters on offense.
“We’re still hungry,” Wentz said. “We’re not done yet.”
The Eagles will host a wildcard game next weekend.
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 three-time Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks 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 the team 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 24-yard TD pass to Perkins, who was promoted from the practice squad Nov. 30.
The Giants finished 4-12.