You can read a rundown of Sunday’s games here:
Final thoughts
Yes...
— Did Parkey Miss? (@DidParkeyMiss) January 7, 2019
This is the first time I think that icing the kicker worked. Had the Eagles not called for a timeout, Cody Parkey’s kick would have won it. Instead, the Eagles will be facing the New Orleans Saints next Sunday! What an end and what a terrible way to end the season for the Chicago Bears. That will wrap up Wild Card Weekend and wrap up our live coverage here at the Guardian. Thanks to all who followed along especially those who contributed to the blog. Ciao!
The Eagles win in a stunner!
I cannot believe how that happened. And the Legend of Nick Foles grows with a miracle assist from a goal post! What a brutal, brutal loss for the Bears.
Eagles win! (FAILED FIELD GOAL)
Eagles 16-15 Bears, FINAL
Cody Parkey's would-be game-winning FG hits the crossbar twice sending the Eagles to the Divisional Round. #PHIvsCHI #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/mchSudQfLL
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2019
And the field goal hits the upright! It’s no good! The Eagles win!
Updated
Eagles 16-15 Bears, :10, 4th quarter
The Bears can’t get any farther. So it sets up a 43-yard field goal attempt. The Eagles take a timeout to ice the kicker.
Updated
Eagles 16-15 Bears, :35, 4th quarter
Trubisky’s first pass is incomplete. On 2nd & 10, Trubisky makes a phenomenal throw to Robinson who makes it to 25 yard line.
Two point conversion ruled unsuccessful (Eagles)
Eagles 16-15 Bears, :48, 4th quarter
It doesn’t look like there’s going to be enough evidence to overturn the call on the field.
Or I’m wrong, they confirm it. The Eagles kick it off to the Bears. Cohen returns it… and wow, he eludes the Eagles defense to take it to the 42 yard line.
Two point conversion under review
Eagles 16-15 Bears, :56, 4th quarter
The Eagles decide to go for two so a field goal won’t win it. Smallwood gets the ball but Smallwood doesn’t get it. At least it doesn’t appear that he did. It’s under review.
Touchdown! (Eagles)
Eagles 16-15 Bears, :56, 4th quarter
So it’s all coming down to this. Eagles take a time out. Foles finds Golden Tate AND THIS TIME IT’S GOOD! Tate MAKES THE CATCH. Wow.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 1:01, 4th quarter
On 2nd & goal, Sproles runs for no game. 3rd and goal. Foles throws to Jeffrey and it’s no good. 4th down play.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 1:10, 4th quarter
Jeffrey gets it to 2 yard line and a first down after a Foles throw.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 2:35, 4th quarter
1st & 10, Smallwood picks up a yard. 2nd & 9, Smallwood gets it to the Bears nine. Huge 3rd & 8 coming up. This could be the game.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 3:13, 4th quarter
Foles throws to Agholor who runs it to the 27. This is getting dicey for Chicago. Foles throws to Ertz who picks up 13 and they’re in the red zone now at the Bears 14.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 3:20, 4th quarter
Foles’s first down toss is incomplete. He instead goes to Goedert on second down and the picks up 10 and it’s another first down and the Eagles are on the 35 yard line after his run.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 4:48, 4th quarter
On 1st & 10, Foles throws to Jeffrey who picks up 15 yards and they’re already in Bears territory.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 4:57, 4th quarter
It’s not a great punt. O’Donnell 36 yarder means the Eagles will be starting at their own 40.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 5:38, 4th quarter
1st and 10 for the Bears. Howard takes a bit too much time on first down and the Eagles defense swarms him for a two yard loss. Then the pocket falls apart for Trubisky, who gets sacked for a 7 yard loss. On 3rd & 19, Trubisky avoids a sack on 3rd & 19, but Cohen can only pick up 7 yards. The punt team comes out.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 7:10, 4th quarte
The Eagles are at their own 27. Sproles runs for a two yard gain. 2nd & 8, Foles throws incomplete. The Bears blitz and Foles throws incomplete. The Bears end the drive and Foles has made some iffy throws on the drive. The Eagles have to punt. Cohen makes a fair catch at the Bears 26 and time is starting to tick off.
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 8:00, 4th quarter
What did I say about the teams trading touchdowns in the second half? Can the Eagles pull it off this time? I am making some great predictions here (please do not mention that I thought that the Ravens would win).
On the kickoff Boston Scott (nice first name) gets wrapped up on the 14-yard line. Khalil Mack makes a huge defensive play to wrap up Foles on a 1st & 10 throw that ends up in no man’s land. His second pass is incomplete as the Bears break up the play. The D has stepped up here. It’s 3rd & 10 and this place is loud. Foles throws again… and this time it’s caught for a first down.
Touchdown, Failed 2-point Conversion (Bears)
Eagles 10-15 Bears, 9:04, 4th quarter
On 1st & 10, Howard picks up 6 yards and on 2nd & 4, Trubisky finds Bellamy for a 34 yard gain. The Eagles have to scramble to stop him from the touchdown. The Bears are at the Eagles 22. On the next play, Trubisky finds Robinson who takes it to the end zone.
There’s a flag on the play but it’s on the defense. The Bears are going to decline. The Bears line up for a two point conversion attempt… Gabriel tries to get into the end zone, but it’s no good. Still the Bears get the lead.
Eagles 10-9 Bears, 10:36, 4th quarter
Great defensive stand for the Bears after cutting down on the Philadelphia lead. Trubisky hands off to Gabriel who gets taken down for a one yard loss. On 2nd & 11, Trubisky throws to Gabirel. That’s a loss. On 3rd and 11, WOW, he very much finds Gabriel for a long throw. That’s a 19 yard gain and a first down. Nice protection there, as the broadcast team points out.
Eagles 10-9 Bears, 12:08, 4th quarter
The Eagles will start off at their own 26 after kickoff. Foles throws to Jeffrey for a gain of one yard on 1st down. Smallwood then goes off for 6 yards. It’s 3rd & 3 at their own 33. Sproles goes off again, for two yards. That’s a 3-and-out and the Eagles have to punt. Johnston punts to the Bears 20 where Cohen makes a fair catch.
Field goal (Bears)
Eagles 10-9 Bears, 14:13, 4th quarter
Trubisky scrambles for 5 yards and that will bring out the field goal unit. The 34-yard attempt is good and it’s a one-point game.
Eagles 10-6 Bears, end of the 3rd quarter
And the Bears remain on the Eagles 21 at the end of the third quarter.
Eagles 10-6 Bears, 1:19, 3rd quarter
Trubisky throws a laser to Robinson for a 13 yard gain. That was a beauty. Trubinsky finds Roinbson again for a 41 yard gain all the way to the Eagles 21. His next throw is to Robinson again, but Robinson is out of bounds.
Eagles 10-6 Bears, 1:42, 3rd quarter
Foles throws to Sproles, and that’s 10 yards and another 10 yards. Their offense seems to be clicking. Sproles gets the ball again and he works his way to the 40 yard line
And never mind about the Eagles offense. The next two passes are incomplete and that’s a punt. Cohen makes a fair catch at the Bears 22.
Eagles 10-6 Bears, 2:10, 3rd quarter
Foles throws to Sproles, and that’s 10 yards and another 10 yards. Their offense seems to be clicking. Sproles gets the ball again and he works his way to the 40 yard line.
Eagles 10-6 Bears, 3:17, 3rd quarter
Foles throws to Ertz for about 11 yards for a definite first down.
Eagles 10-6 Bears, 3:58, 3rd quarter
The Bears pick up two yards on second down on a Howard run. Cre’Von LeBlanc tackles Shaheen to prevent a first down and the Bears have to punt. O’Donnell’s punt pins the Eagles at their own 17.
Eagles 10-6 Bears, 5:10, 3rd quarter
The kickoff hits the end zone. The Bears start from their own 25. Trubisky throws incomplete on the first play of the drive.
Touchdown! (Eagles)
Eagles 10-6 Bears, 5:13, 3rd quarter
On the very next play, Foles finds Dallas Goedert in the end zone for the first touchdown of the game! The extra point is good and the Eagles take the lead.
Eagles 3-6 Bears, 5:26, 3rd quarter
And the second penalty on the Bears. A too many men on the field call puts the Eagles into Bears territory. On 1st and 5, Sproles gets the ball to the 43. Foles throws incomplete on the next play, but the Bears get ANOTHER penalty. It’s a 33 yard pass interference call that will put the Eagles on their 10 yard line. Brutal.
Eagles 3-6 Bears, 7:09, 3rd quarter
Foles targets Sproles, who picks up 4 yards. Foles finds Tate on 2nd & 6, that’s just a yard gain. It’s 3rd and 5 and the Bears fans get loud. It’s no help, Foles finds Tate who just stays inbound at the Eagles 40 for a first down.
Eagles 3-6 Bears, 8:14, 3rd quarter
I’m just going to predict the first touchdown of the game on this drive because, I mean, there’s got to be on eventually right? Foles’s first throw is a four yard pass to Zach Ertz. On 2nd and 5, Foles gets wrapped up. 3rd and 6. Foles throws a long lob… that’s incomplete but there’s a flag. It’s on Amos, unnecessary roughness. That’s a 15 yard penalty and an automatic first down. First penalty on the Bears and a MASSIVE ONE.
Eagles 3-6 Bears, 9:51, 3rd quarter
Trubisky gets sacked for five yards and then finds Ben Braunnecker for a gain of nine years. On 3rd down, the pressure Trubisky who throws it away and their first drive will end with a punt. O’Donnell’s kick pins the Eagles at their 17.
Eagles 3-6 Bears, 12:05, 3rd quarter
Trubisky passes to Adam Shaheen for no gain. On 2nd and 10, he finds Robinson for 9 and then Howard manages to get five yards. The Bears make it to the Eagles 49 and have a fresh set of downs.
Eagles 3-6 Bears, 13:09, 3rd quarter
Howard gets stuffed for a yard on the first play of the drive. Trubisky hits Gabriel who goes off for a 22 yard run. That will be a first down and a bunch more.
Second half kicks off!
Eagles 3-6 Bears, 15:00, 3rd quarter
The Eagles kick the ball off. The Bears will start from their own 17 after the reception.
An explanation of the incomplete pass that was also a catch.
Instant replay was correct in staying with incomplete pass. In order to go from incomplete to catch and fumble is if there is a clear recovery by either team or if the ball goes out of bounds. Case book plays 15.114 and 15.115.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) January 6, 2019
Do you buy it?
Email from Justin Kavanagh
Good evening Hunter. I was in the torture chair yesterday when my dentist mentioned that “you live down near Nick Foles”, which was news to me. I live in a very modest suburb of Philadelphia. So the idea of Mr Foles accepting a statue in the City of Bro Love is probably a non-starter. Besides (and this has always tickled my Irish sense of absurdity), despite Philly having had so many world champions down the years (from Joe Frazier to Bernard Hopkins), the only one they ever bothered commemorating in bronze is the fictitious boxer from the cheesy Hollywood franchise. Oh God, I’m beginning to rant about sports…I’ve been in Philly too long!
Speaking as someone who moved to Boston in their early 20s: just let the transformation to local sports nut happen. Don’t try to fight it, it’s inevitable.
Halftime thoughts
After many years of faithful liveblogging for the Guardian, my old computer got crushed on the way to Fenway Park. In any case, the good news is that I have a brand new laptop which means I don’t have to reset it halfway through the game because it’s about to overheat. That means more halftime commentary from me this time around. I apologize in advance.
The game? I usually am not a fan of defensive battles, but this has been entertaining, both sides are making key plays. I don’t expect it to last, look for these two teams to start trading touchdowns in the second half. That’s my prediction.
Halftime!
I will never understand the NFL catch rules.
Field goal (Bears)
Eagles 3-6 Bears, end of the first half
The 29-yard field goal is good and that will do us for the first half which had no touchdowns but was certainly full of action.
Updated
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter :13
Nick Foles throws a dangerous pass to the Eagles end zone that is incomplete. The Bears end up not being able to get it past the Eagles 23 yard line to set up a field goal attempt. The Eagles call a time out.
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter :29
it’s overruled as a catch, but it looks like Miller loss the fumble except… nobody recovered the ball! So they keep up the call on the field. Of an incomplete catch. EXCEPT IT WAS it just wasn’t recovered by anyone on the fumble. In any case it’s 3rd and 3 and the Bears get the first down
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter :29
On 3rd and 3, an illegal use of the hands penalty on the Eagles give them an automatic first down that takes them to the Philadelphia 47. The Bears are in the shotgun with the clock going down. Trubisky finds Robinson for 7 yards. On 2nd & 3, Trubisky throws to Miller who… can’t hold on. Or does he, it’s ruled an incomplete pass. They’re going to review it. It goes to review.
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 1:27
That takes things down to the two minute warning, catching me slightly unawares. On the next play, there’s an offside play on the Eagles, but the Bears picked up a first down on the play thanks to a nine yard Trubsiky pass to Anthony Miller. So, they decline the penalty. On the next throw, Trubisky throws VERY DEEP, that’s a 23 yard pass to Miller to get them to their 44.
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 2:38
Trubisky throws to Gabriel for a one yard gain.
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 2:45
Smallwood gets taken down for a two yard loss on first down. 2nd & 12, Foles throws over the middle but incomplete. The Eagles look for a flag but there’s none to come. 3rd & 12. Foles’s next throw is to Tate, but they only pick up six yards and that’s gonna be another punt, this one goes out of bounds at the 15 yard line.
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 4:14
Trubisky’s third down pass is caught just out of bounds so it’s going to be a punt. Still, that could have gone much worse for Chicago. Sproles picks up the punt at the 33 yard line where the Eagles will start their next drive. We were promised a defensive battle and that’s what we’re getting.
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 4:31
After review, it’s ruled an incomplete pass, just one leg was in. So it’s going to be a 3rd and 9.
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 5:10
More good news for Chicago, Trubisky is out there. With the worries about the quarterback for Chicago fans, it’s looking like Foles has been the one struggling. That was his second pick of the game.
Oh never mind, Trubisky throws an interception that Avonte Maddox just corrals. OR DOES HE. It’s going to review and this is going to be a close one.
Interception (Bears recover)
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 5:27
Sproles gets the ball on first down and he picks up a yard. 2nd & 9, Foles escapes the pocket and throws… a ball that is PICKED OFF IN THE END ZONE by Adrian Amos. He decides to stay there and the Bears will be starting on their own 20.
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 6:40
Foles hands off to Sproles who gets five yards. He goes again and Sproles gets stuffed. That sets up a 3rd & 6, Foles throws deep, very deep, 28 yards to Golden Tate. Eagles are at the Chicago 25.
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 7:53
Trubisky is in the medical tent. That’s not a place you want to be, one of the least fun tents possible really. In any case, Chicago’s kickoff pins the Eagles on the 25 yard line. Wendell Smallwood picks up ten yards for a Philadelphia first down. He gets nowhere on the second attempt. 2nd & 10, Foles throws a ball that Nelson Agholor has to slide to catch for an 11 yard gain.
Field goal (Bears)
Eagles 3-3 Bears, 2nd quarter, 9:42
Cohen can’t get anywhere on a first down run. On second down, Trubisky fires
Allen Robinson, who is wrapped up immediately. Trubisky runs for six yards, not quite enough for a first down. He leaves the field a little gimpy, which is not… ideal for Chicago. Cody Parkey has a chance to tie things up with a field goal which he does by nailing a 36 yarder.
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 2nd quarter, 11:47
The Bears can’t take advantage of the turnover it seems… but there’s an unnecessary roughness call on Michael Bennett for an automatic first down. That puts Chicago on their own 42. There Trubisky makes a nice throw, 19 yards, that put Bears on the 19 yard. Huge penalty on Bennett.
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 2nd quarter, 14:25
Foles throws to Jeffrey for a 30 yard run to the 40 yard mark. It’s looking good for Eagles but Trubisky throws a pick to Roquan Smith. He runs it down but the officials say he was down by contact on the Bears 34.
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 1st quarter, end of the 1st quarter
On 2nd down, Foles throws to Alshon Jeffrey to their own 30 for a first down. That will end the first quarter.
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 1st quarter, 1:01
Darren Sproles gets the ball to start this Eagles drive and he goes nowhere or, well okay, the officials spot him a yard. Foles’s neck throw DEFINITELY goes nowhere. 3rd & 9. Sproles… just barely gets the first down at the 18 yard line.
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 1st quarter, 2:41
So Chicago’s starting in Eagles territory. On 1st and 10, Trubisky fires… and it’s knocked away. He hand off Jordan Howard instead, he finds a hole, and grabs 6 yards. 3rd & 4. Trubisky fires under pressure and it’s incomplete. Man, the Bears can’t capitalize on fantastic starting position. They’re gonna punt. O’Donnell’s punt puts the Eagles at their 7. The defenses are doing their job to start this game, that’s for sure.
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 1st quarter, 3:29
Well that was a defensive stop. A 3-and-0 forces the Eagles to punt from their own 3. Tarik Cohen makes a fair catch for Chicago at the Eagles 48. Huge field position for Chicago.
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 1st quarter, 5:01
First flag of the game, on the punt. The Bears have to re-kick after a defensive offside penalty on Philadelphia. Five yard penalty. Pat O’Donnell’s punt sprials out of bounds after pinning the Eagles at the one.
Updated
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 1st quarter, 5:19
The Bears get it to their own 45, where they pick up the first down. Trubisky’s gone 3-for-3 with his throws. And then the Eagles defense kicks in, they stuff a running attempt for no gain and then Trubisky gets chased and throws incomplete. That’s a 3rdand 10.
And his next throw is also incomplete, almost intercepted and that will end the first Chicago drive. They’re going to punt.
Updated
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 1st quarter, 9:24
Email from Michael A.
Just don’t trust Chicago’s QB., Here is a liability.I see the Eagles winning this.
Well, it’s Mitch Trubisky’s time up now, let’s see how he fares. Elliott kicks off and the Eagles return it to their own 21.
Field goal! (Eagles)
Eagles 3-0 Bears, 1st quarter, 9:37
The Bears defense steps up, and forces another 3rd down, where the Bears sack Foles for 8 yards to force a field goal. Jake Elliott’s 43 yard field goal is good, but a moral victory for Chicago.
Eagles 0-0 Bears, 1st quarter, 13:08
The Bears get the Eagles to a 3rd & 8 in Bears territory, but Foles unleashes a long throw to get the Eagles to the Chicago 20. They are threatening already.
Opening kick!
Eagles 0-0 Bears, 1st quarter, 15:00
The Bears kick it off to the Eagles.
The Guardian game report for Chargers/Ravens is up!
Do you think the Eagles O line will be able to protect Foles from Mack and Co?
— Kenneth Fox (@kennyboyfox92) January 6, 2019
That’s going to be a huge key here. Honestly, I don’t think the O line will embarrass themselves, but I just think this Bears defense is just going to have the advantage. If they manage to neutralize Mack, someone else will step up. I think Foles is still going to make a few big throws though.
The Chargers will be playing the New England Patriots next weekend. Philip Rivers vs Tom Brady might be a decent quarterback matchup. I know, that’s a rather bold prediction but I’m willing to go out on a limb like that.
Chargers/Ravens
It’s final in Baltimore! The Los Angeles Chargers just held off the Baltimore Ravens. Rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson fumbled the ball on their last chance of the drive. I think someone predicted that this game could come down to Jackson’s ball security issues earlier. The Chargers win 23-17.
Updated
Bears fans are getting pumped for the start of this one.
— James Wickham (@__jameswickham) January 6, 2019
I am told that one of these teams has to win. Is that true?
— Kevin (@RedSoxRedShoes) January 6, 2019
Big if true.
Saturday’s results
Yesterday’s two games were radically different. If you missed the first half of the battle between the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts then, well, you missed the entire game. Andrew Luck and the Colts trounced the Texans 21-7. Meanwhile the Dallas Cowboys snuffed out a last minute comeback attempt by the Seattle Seahawks to hold onto a 24-22 victory.
Preamble
Welcome to the fourth an final game of Wild Card Weekend! The defending champion Philadelphia Eagles are on the road against the Chicago Bears. It will be something of a challenge, not only are they in hostile territory, they are facing a very tough Bears defense.
If they win, the legend of Nick Foles will only grow. One of the most improbable Super Bowl MVPs in NFL history, he can pretty much expect a statue in Philadelphia should he win a few more games.
As always you can join in our coverage. You can email us your commentary, questions, predictions and jokes (to hunter.felt.freelance@theguardian.com) or Tweet them (to @HunterFelt). We’re scheduled to start around 4:45pm EST but we’ll be back well before then.
Hunter will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s his rundown of today’s game:
What the Eagles need to do to win: Rely on Nick Foles’s magic? At this point it’s ridiculous to think that the Eagles’ backup QB can keep leading them to victory whenever Carson Wentz goes down. But, hey, it keeps happening so why not keep believing? After earning Super Bowl MVP honors last year, Foles came in for Wentz again this season and helped the Eagles rattle off three straight wins to make the postseason.
What the Bears needs to do to win: They need to play the same defense that got them here. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has been just about everything the team could have hoped for this season, but it’s never about the offense in Chicago. When the Bears win it’s because they have an elite defense, and this time around it’s no different. Bolstered by the Khalil Mack trade, Chicago’s defense is ranked third in the league and primed to turn Foles back into a pumpkin.
Key player: Khalil Mack, OLB, Chicago Bears. The Bears traded two first-round picks to the Oakland Raiders to get Mack and then gave him a six-year/$141m contract, making him the highest paid defender in NFL history. He ended the year with 12.5 sacks, 47 tackles and a handful of key takeaways. Looks like he was worth it.
Prediction: Eagles 16-21 Bears
