'There's Nothing To Say!' A. J. Brown Silence Speaks Volumes: Eagles Blow Lead, 1st Place in NFC East
PHILADELPHIA - "There is nothing to say.''
The Philadelphia Eagles are heading in the wrong direction following their 35-31 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, a fourth defeat in five outings that gives the 49ers the top playoff seed in the NFC and gives the Dallas Cowboys control of the NFC East.
And it was A.J. Brown who painted a picture, first with his demonstrative head-shaking on the field near game's end, and then with his polite decline in the locker room to say much more.
“I’m not about to talk,'' Brown said with an uncomfortable smile. "There’s nothing to talk about. There is nothing to say.”
How did this collapse unfold? Follow along ...
The Eagles will be hosting former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon who is now the head coach of the Cardinals when the west coast team comes to play in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field.
If the Eagles win the game, they will be one win away from clinching a top-two seed in the NFC and a divisional title in the NFC East. Winning the NFC East would make them the first team to win the division in back to back seasons since they did it four-straight times from 2001 to 2004. It is the longest such streak in NFL history for any of the divisions.
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The game will see the return of Philadelphia's slot cornerback Avonte Maddox, who missed most of the season due to a torn pectoral. His presence in the slot should be welcomed by a team that has struggled to contain opposing offenses recently.
Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray was questionable for the game due to an illness but will be suiting up to play.
These two teams met last season in the desert, with the Eagles taking home a 20-17 win after a missed game-tying field goal by the Cardinals.
First Quarter
Cardinals win the toss, defer to the second half. Eagles up on offense first.
Hurts pass to Gainwell on 3rd-and-2 for no gain. Eagles forced to punt after a three-and-out. Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch returns the punt to the 25-yard line.
Cardinals move into Eagles territory after a 26-yard connection between Kyler Murray and Trey McBride.
Cardinals get nothing after moving down to the Eagles' 3-yard line, settle for a field goal.
Cardinals FG is good, lead 3-0
Big connection from Hurts to Goedert for 23 yards, into Cardinals territory.
Tush push on 4th-and-1 in the red zone is successful.
Jalen Hurts finds Julio Jones in the end zone for a touchdown. PAT is good.
Eagles TD, lead 7-3
End of 1Q
Kyler Murray sacked by Jalen Carter deep in Eagles territory.
TOUCHDOWN! Rookie Sydney Brown intercepts Kyler Murray and returns it 99 yards to the end zone for a pick six.
Eagles TD, extend lead to 14-3
James Conner eating on the ground. Up to eight carries for 50 yards.
Illegal contact called on Kelee Ringo grants Cardinals a first down.
Conner picks up three yards on 4th-and-1 with backup quarterback Clayton Tune in.
Two-minute warning with Cardinals facing a 3rd-and-12.
Cardinals settle for field goal after 16-play, 10-minute drive.
Cardinals FG, cuts lead to 14-6
Eagles moving the ball down the field with minimal time left in the first half.
Pass to Goedert across the middle to the Arizona 39-yard line. Eagles take second timeout with 38 seconds left in the half.
Trick play leads to an 18-yard pass from Kenny Gainwell to DeVonta Smith.
TOUCHDOWN! Julio Jones catches his second touchdown of the game, this time a 22-yard pass from Jalen Hurts before halftime.
Eagles TD, up 21-6
Halftime
Cardinals start the second half with the ball.
Michael Carter brings the Cardinals to the red zone with a 21-yard run.
Three straight plays to Michael Carter results in a touchdown on a pass from Kyler Murray to the running back.
Cardinals open with TD, cut lead to 21-13
DeVonta Smith drops the ball on a deep pass on 3rd-and-5. Eagles go three-and-out and punt.
James Conner with a 22-yard run to move the Cardinals into Eagles' territory.
Cardinals are racking up chunk plays to move into the Eagles' red zone.
James Conner makes an incredible one-handed catch in the end zone for a touchdown. Two-point conversion was successful.
Cardinals TD, tied 21-21
Eagles running game is moving the ball down the field.
One run from Hurts and three runs from Swift adds up to 39 yards as the Eagles try to retake the lead.
End of 3Q
Eagles are in the red zone after a pass to Dallas Goedert.
Tush push on 3rd-and-1 fails, but tush push on 4th-and-1 is successful.
On 3rd-and-4 from the Arizona 9-yard line, Hurts finds Goedert who tapped his toes in the end zone for a touchdown.
Eagles TD, lead 28-21
Kelee Ringo is pulled down by Greg Dortch but gets called for defensive pass interference.
Michael Carter brings the Cardinals to the Eagles' 27-yard line.
Kyler Murray rushes for 14 yards to bring the Cardinals to the red zone.
Cardinals face a 4th-and-4 from the Eagles' 5-yard line.
Cardinals tie the game on fourth down on a throw from Murray to Michael Wilson.
Cardinals TD, tied 28-28
Cardinals attempt an onside kick but the Eagles recover the ball.
Hurts finds A.J. Brown for a 19-yard completion to move the ball into field goal range and pick up a first down.
Holding called on Jordan Mailata on the next play, sets up 1st-and-20.
Eagles facing a 3rd-and-20 after back-to-back quarterback runs.
Heavy boos raining down from the home fans as the Eagles attempt to take the lead.
Screen pass to Kenny Gainwell picks up five yards. Field goal attempt coming.
Jake Elliott hits a 43-yard field goal to take the lead.
Eagles FG, lead 31-28
Kyler Murray hits Rondale Moore for a 12-yard gain to near midfield.
Cardinals move into Eagles' territory, nearing field goal range.
Murray finds Greg Dortch for a 36-yard gain to the Eagles' 5-yard line.
Eagles take their last timeout with 36 seconds remaining.
James Conner finds the end zone from two yards out. Cardinals take the lead.
Cardinals TD, lead 35-31
Hurts gets to midfield with a long run. 14 seconds left.
Incompletion to Goedert.
Hurts intercepted on final play.
Final. Cardinals 35, Eagles 31.
