With only seconds remaining in the fourth quarter on Sunday afternoon, James Conner scored the game-winning touchdown to send the three-win Arizona Cardinals absolutely stunned the Philadelphia Eagles on the road.
The Cardinals, led by Jonathan Gannon, a former defensive coordinator for the Eagles, are not ranked in the NFC playoffs. However, the 35-31 victory had a significant impact on the seeds, as the 49ers of San Francisco now hold the top seed due to the Eagles’ defeat and their own victory over the Washington Commanders.
The Dallas Cowboys, who defeated the Detroit Lions on Saturday night, have an opportunity to win the NFC East and secure the No. 2 seed the following week, but the Eagles are still in the running for that spot.
At the start of the second half, Arizona was behind 21–6, but Kyler Murray immediately received the drive he required from his offense.
Running back Michael Carter caught a pass and raced into the end zone to cut into the Philly lead after they went 10 plays and 75 yards downfield.
Following a brief three-and-out from Jalen Hurts and company, Murray then led another touchdown drive. This time, Conner successfully converted a short pass from Murray for a five-yard touchdown, and the game was tied at 21 all after another successful two-point attempt.
Aware that he needed to start something, Hurts planned his own touchdown run. He scurried to his right and found Dallas Goedert, his tight end, on the 13th play of the play, retaking the lead.
However, the Cardinals refused to overlook that. For a five-yard touchdown to keep Arizona in the game on a fourth-and-four, Murray found Michael Wilson on a slant route.
After that, the Cardinals had a chance to take the lead with a touchdown, but Philadelphia would settle for a field goal. For Conner to cross the goal line, it required eight plays and 77 yards of play.
Hurts would intercept the ball during a last-minute Hail Mary play, leaving everyone at Lincoln Financial Field in shock.
Murray gained 232 yards on 25 of 31 passes through the air, three touchdown passes, one interception, and 24 yards on the ground by the end of the game. Conner gained 128 yards on the ground and scored one touchdown via reception and one via rush.
Despite only being 18 of 23 for 167 yards against the Eagles, Hurts managed three touchdowns, two of which were to Julio Jones on his two game-winning receptions.
In order to keep their No. 2 seed, the Eagles will now travel to East Rutherford on Sunday of the last week of the regular season in the hopes of defeating the New York Giants and the Cowboys falling to the Commanders.