LOS ANGELES _ The Eagles clinched the NFC East title and a postseason bid, yet those accomplishments paled compared to significance of Carson Wentz's injury in the third quarter of the Eagles' 43-35 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Wentz suffered a knee injury that could alter the course of what's been a magical season for the Eagles. The team is now 11-2, owners of the best record in the NFL, but they could be without their franchise player.
Wentz was in the third quarter of perhaps his finest game with the Eagles when he tried rushing for a touchdown and took a big hit while diving for points. A penalty flag nullified the play, and Wentz's gait appeared abnormal or the remaining four plays. He couldn't move like he normally does, and even though he remained in the game to throw a clutch a fourth-down touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery, he did not celebrate as he normally does. Wentz walked gingerly to the sideline, where he was greeted by the medical staff. They quickly evaluated him in a makeshift blue tent, and then brought him into the locker room. It was quickly determined that he would not return to the game.
The long-term ramifications of Wentz's injury will be the story that matters most in Philadelphia, but the Eagles still had 17 minutes remaining in a crucial game. It would be Nick Foles tasked with leading them.
The Rams took a 35-31 with a touchdown on their next drive, meaning Foles entered the game trailing by four points. A playoff bid hung in the balance. Foles wasn't Wentz, but he brought the Eagles in position for a 41-yard field goal by Jake Elliott to cut the Rams lead to one point.
And then Jim Schwartz's defense rebounded from its worst game yet this year with a critical stop. Chris Long sacked Rams quarterback Jared Goff on a first down at the Rams' 35-yard line and knocked the ball out of Goff's grasp. Rodney McLeod scooped the fumble and brought it to the 25-yard line to give the Eagles a chance to take the lead. Elliott's 33-yard field goal put the Eagles on top, and the defense came through with a key stop to allow the Eagles to run out the clock. Foles found Nelson Agholor for a clutch third-down catch to help seal the win. The defense scored a touchdown on the final play to give them the nine-point lead.
Now it might be Foles who must lead the Eagles to the playoffs for the first time since 2013 � when he was the starting quarterback for the Eagles.
Wentz left the game 23 of 41 for 291 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Foles went 6 of 10 for 42 yards. Torrey Smith had six catches for 100 yards, and Jay Ajayi rushed for 78 yards.
It was an ominous start for the Eagles when Wentz threw an interception the third play of the game. Nelson Agholor, who was coming off the best game of his career, bobbled Wentz's pass and lost it to the Rams. That set up a two-yard touchdown run Todd Gurley to take a quick 7-0 lead.
The Eagles didn't allow that ugly start spoil their afternoon. Wentz brought the Eagles on an eight-play, 75-yard drive, connecting with Brent Celek on a five-yard touchdown to tie the game. That was Celek's first touchdown since 2015. The veteran had a bigger role Sunday because Zach Ertz missed the game with a concussion.
The backup tight ends remained in vogue for the Eagles because Wentz's next two scores went to Trey Burton. The first was a 20-yard catch set up by a key pass interference on third-and-1 that netted 41 yards. Then came an 11-yard touchdown to Burton in double coverage to tie Sonny Jurgensen's single-season franchise record set in 1961. (Wentz broke the record on his final play of the game.)
With a two-touchdown lead, it looked like the Eagles could be on their win to a convincing victory. The Rams convinced anyone otherwise. A defensive breakdown led to a 64-yard Cooper Kupp reception, and Kupp later caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Goff to cut the Eagles' lead in half. A field goal before halftime made it 24-14 entering the locker room.
The Rams regained momentum in the third quarter. They needed only six plays to drive downfield on the opening possession to set up Sammy Watkins' one-yard touchdown, and they took the lead when they blocked Donnie Jones' punt and returned the loose ball for a touchdown.
Wentz took the ball for his final drive of the game, and maybe a season that took an unexpected and unfortunate turn on Sunday.
