Eagles’ season rides on backup QB Foles

Veteran unfazed by Philly expectations of Super Bowl trip.

Nick Foles is stepping into a pressure situation with a team that has enormous expectations in a city desperate for its first Super Bowl title.

He’s no ordinary backup quarterback.

Foles had tremendous success as a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013 and he experienced failure as the No. 1 quarterback for the St. Louis Rams in 2015. He’s won an offensive MVP award at a Pro Bowl, been traded, released and contemplated retirement.

Now, he’s the man leading the NFC East champions.

Foles is no Carson Wentz, who was having an MVP-caliber season before he tore his left ACL. But, he’s a capable backup who won’t be overwhelmed by the spotlight.

“He’s matured as a quarterback, his leadership ability, his understanding of our offense, of defenses,” coach Doug Pederson said. “We always knew he was a smart intellectual quarterback.”

Foles began 2013 as the backup to Michael Vick in Chip Kelly’s first season in Philly. Foles replaced Vick after he was injured in October, had a sensational season and led the Eagles to their most recent playoff appearance — a home loss to New Orleans. Foles threw 27 TDs and only two picks in 10 starts and posted a passer rating of 119.2, third-highest in league history.

Foles wasn’t quite as spectacular in 2014, but the Eagles were 6-2 in his eight starts. He tossed 13 TDs, 10 interceptions and missed the final eight games after breaking his collarbone.

Kelly traded him to St. Louis for Sam Bradford in March 2015 and Foles went 4-7 on a 7-9 team. He was released by the Rams and signed with Kansas City as Alex Smith’s backup. Foles filled in nicely when Smith was injured last season and led the Chiefs to a victory in his only start. He returned to Philadelphia to back up Wentz on an $11 million, twoyear contract.

“I think with experience and age, you gain knowledge and wisdom,” Foles said. “Obviously life changes and you just sort of see the game a little more clearly. Even stepping into the game like the other night, you’re in the fourth quarter, you’re on the road, it’s a big game.

“And you really just go back to your training, you go back to your experiences in life. You know how to sort of live in that moment to execute the plays to help your team win.”

Foles rallied the Eagles to a 43-35 win against the Rams by guiding the offense to field goals on consecutive drives after Wentz went down.

He’ll get his first start at the Giants (2-11) against the aggressive defense of interim coach Steve Spagnuolo.

The Eagles can secure a first-round bye with a win.

Saints: Rookie running back Alvin Kamara was among several recently injured players returning to practice as New Orleans tries to hold on to a slim lead atop the NFC South. Kamara, safety Kenny Vaccaro and offensive lineman Senio Kelemete — who were among six Saints knocked out of last week’s game at Atlanta — were listed as fully participating in practice.

Jaguars: Running back Leonard Fournette (quadriceps) said he expects to play Sunday against Houston despite missing two days of practice this week.

Rams: Robert Woods (shoulder) is ready to rejoin the Rams’ playoff push. The veteran receiver plans to return from a three-game absence when the Rams (9-4) visit Seattle (8-5) in a game likely to decide the NFC West.

Giants: Placed top offensive lineman Justin Pugh on injured reserve with a back injury. Pugh, the Giants’ firstround draft pick in 2013, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

Texans: Third-string quarterback T.J. Yates will get his first start this season Sunday at Jacksonville with backup Tom Savage recovering from a concussion.