Eagles hope ‘MNF’ hit doesn’t end in knockout

The Seattle Seahawks ended a four-game losing streak with a late game-winning drive, defeating the visiting Philadelphia Eagles, 20-17, on “Monday Night Football,” making a colossal impact on the Eagles’ quest for first place. in the NFC standings. .

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was active and started after being downgraded to questionable on Sunday due to illness, but backup Drew Lock was given the start for the second straight week for Seattle, with Geno Smith dealing with a right knee injury. individual.

Julian Love’s second interception of the night, with six seconds left, helped the Seahawks and their playoff chances, as they returned to the horrible spot in the fight for a wild card spot, but the third consecutive loss. for the Eagles they left them one game behind the San Francisco 49ers for the best record in the NFC, and are now tied with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East, heading into Week 16.

The Seahawks dealt a serious blow to the Eagles’ liver. Philadelphia just hopes it wasn’t a knockout.

It’s been a tough two weeks for the organization, coming off a pair of shocking losses against the Cowboys and 49ers. The defense was failing so badly that the Eagles felt forced to elevate Matt Patricia as defensive play-caller and demote Sean Desai. There was what one team source described as too many fingers pointing, internally, and some discontent in the locker room.

The defense stabilized for most of Monday’s game, and Hurts weathered the illness and ran for two touchdowns on a night when the passing game was inexact. It seemed, however, that it would be enough, until the final 29-yard touchdown pass with less than 30 seconds left, in favor of the opponent.

Quarterback Analysis: Hurts was solid on the ground (82 yards, two touchdowns) but was inaccurate through the air, going 17 for 31 with a pair of crucial late interceptions, including a lateral offering to A.J. Brown on first down with 13 seconds left, which was stolen by Love to end the game.

Promising trend: The defense had allowed at least 30 points in each of the Eagles’ last three games, and ranked last in the league in third downs and 30th in the red zone. This Monday there was a marked improvement. Seattle was held to just 90 yards and 3 points at halftime, allowing Philadelphia to take a lead heading into the third quarter for the first time in seven games. A struggling secondary seemed to challenge receivers more than in recent days, making it difficult for Lock to pass.

The Breakout: Rookie cornerback Kelee Ringo started in place of the injured Darius Slay and enjoyed a solid night. Highlights included a second-quarter breakup pass to DK Metcalf in the red zone that helped keep the Seahawks out of the end zone, and a no-gain stop to Kenneth Walker III on a run on that same drive. . . .