Saints Defeat Eagles On Shayne Graham Game Winning Field Goal As Time Expires, Will Face Seattle In Divisional Round

                                                                          (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)



     All week long New Orleans Saints were faced with questions of how would they be able to adapt to playing outdoors, the possibility of it snowing, and the frigid cold temperatures. Drew Brees  got off to a slow start with two interceptions, one which led to an Eagles touchdown (TD) when Nick Foles ( 23 of 33 195 yds. 2 TD 0 INT) found Riley Cooper in the end zone to give Philadelphia a 7-3 lead. Saints placekicker Shayne Graham (who would go on to win the game winner) kicked a Field Goal as time expired in the 1st half when he snuck it in the right up right to cut the Eagles lead to 7-6. Eagles Placekicker Alex Henery at the beginning of the 2nd Quarter.


     Drew Brees settled in quickly. After forcing the Philadelphia offense to a 3 and out on the opening possession of the 2nd half, Brees led a scoring drive that ended with a 24 yard hookup with Wide Receiver Lance Moore to reclaim the lead for the Saints, 13-7. After another 3 and out, Mark Ingram (18 carries 97 yards) led New Orleans on another scoring drive, registering  26 rushing yards and a TD on a 4 yd run to give the Saints a 20-7 lead. Scoring 14 unanswered. The Eagles however would soar right back!

     After the TD that put the Saints up 20-7, Philadelphia needed just 7 plays to go 65 yards for a TD. Foles hit Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson for a 40 yard gain. On 4th & Goal from the one, Running Back LeSean McCoy bounced his way into the end zone to bring Philadelphia back within six. After exchanging Field Goals, Philadelphia on its next possession, would get a big gain when a Pass Interference on Saints Corey White, (a spot foul that was 40 yards worth,) set the ball up at the Saints 3 yd. line. Two plays later Foles found Tight End Zach Ertz  for a 3 yd TD Pass, and with the successful extra point, the Eagles regained the lead for the second time in the game, 24-23.


     New Orleans would get great field position on the ensuing kickoff after Philadelphia's Cary Williams was called for Horse Collar Tackle giving the Saints excellent field position starting at the Philadelphia 48! Rookie Khiry Robinson provided 22 rushing yards on the drive, allowing for an easy 32 yd. FG kick by Shayne Graham to win it for New Orleans as time expired, eliminating the Philadelphia Eagles and setting up a game against the #1 seed in the NFC where they will travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks next weekend.

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