Atlanta Falcons 10 @ Philadelphia Eagles 15
THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES belied their underdog status to claim a place in the NFC Championship Game with a five-point win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The defending NFC champions came into the game as three-point favourites but failed to convert on fourth and goal with just over a minute remaining to hand the Eagles the win.
A cagey first quarter featured just one score, Matt Bryant’s 33-yard field goal following an 11-play drive by the Falcons.
Foles and the Eagles replied in the second quarter with the game’s first touchdown; LeGarrette Blount’s one-yard run capping a 14-play drive, but the extra point was missed to make the score 6-3 to Philadelphia.
The Falcons answered with a touchdown of their own a few minutes later thanks, in large part, to some beneficial refereeing that kept their drive going before Devonta Freeman caught a six yard pass from Matt Ryan to restore Atlanta’s lead, 10-6.
With one second remaining in the first half, Philadelphia’s Jake Elliott made up for his missed extra point by slotting over a 53-yard field goal to send the sides in at the break with just one point between them, 10-9.
Neither side found the end zone in the third quarter, but Elliott once again nailed a kick, this time from 37 yards, to give the Eagles their first lead of the game. He added another three-pointer in the fourth to make it a five point game and his defence stood strong to secure the win.
Philly will now host the Vikings or Saints in the NFC Championship Game.
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