NFL Recap (Philadelphia-Arizona)
Posted: Sun November 2, 1997 at 10:10 p.m. EST
ARIZONA 31, PHILADELPHIA 21
Banged up Kent Graham replaced Jake Plummer in the fourth
quarter and scored two touchdowns to lead the Arizona Cardinals
to a 31-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, who remained
winless on the road.
Graham, who was listed as questionable for the game with a bad
ankle and knee, completed 5-of-9 passes for 33 yards as Arizona
(2-7) stopped a six-game losing streak, winning for the first
time since a 25-22 overtime win over Dallas in Week Two.
"I told our team with all the adversity and all the ways we've
lost games the past six weeks, it would have been easy to throw
in the towel," said Arizona coach Vince Tobin, whose team has
five losses by a combined 14 points, including two overtime
setbacks and two one-point losses. "The difference between
winning and losing is very small. I realize it's only one win
after six losses, but it's important to those young men in the
locker room."
Philadelphia quarterback Rodney Peete, making his third straight
start, was replaced by Ty Detmer in the second half. Peete was
just 3-of-13 for 54 yards and an interception as the Eagles
(4-5) fell to 0-5 on the road.
"It was a (expletive) exhibtion on our part," said Philadelphia
coach Ray Rhodes. "We had 15 penalties. Our defense played
hard at times but it got worn down and had to defend deep in our
own territory too many times."
Graham replaced Plummer on Arizona's first possession of the
fourth and heard a chorus of boos as the Cardinals gained just
two yards on three plays. On 4th-and-8, Joe Nedney's 48-yard
field goal attempt fell short.
"I told Jake Plummer two weeks ago I wouldn't hesitate to take
him out if I thought he was struggling," Tobin said. "The time
was right to go with Kent. Jake is a young quarterback and he
has to be put in position to be successful. I'm not interested
in getting his confidence destroyed. He did a lot of good
things out there today."
"That's where you find out where your motivation is for
playing," said Graham about the boos. "And that is the honor
and the will of God. And whatever situation you're in, that
enables you to go out and play well. It (ankle) was sore, and
by any means wasn't 100 percent, but I was able to get through."
The Eagles drove to the Arizona 9 on the following possession
and Chris Boniol kicked a 27-yard field goal, but it was negated
by a holding penalty on fullback Kevin Turner. Boniol's attempt
for a 37-yarder hit the left goalpost and the Eagles maintained
a 21-17 lead.
After gaining six yards on three plays, Arizona punted from its
33. Philadelphia wide receiver Mark Seay called for a fair
catch, but fumbled Jeff Feagles' punt and Cedric Smith recovered
on the Eagles 25. Seven plays later, Graham went one yard on a
keeper to give the Cardinals a 24-21 lead with 3:10 left.
One play after Graham's score, linebacker Mike Caldwell
intercepted Detmer and returned it five yards to the
Philadelphia 20. Graham's one-yard scoring plunge on
4th-and-goal made it 31-21 with 24 seconds left. A nine-yard
reception by Frank Sanders put the ball on the Philadelphia 11
and a pass interference penalty on safety Brian Dawkins moved it
to the 1 two plays later.
Detmer finished 15-of-27 for 224 yards with two TDs and two
interceptions.
The Cardinals took a 7-0 lead when defensive tackle Bernard
Wilson picked off Peete's screen pass and raced 66 yards into
the end zone just 5:09 into the game.
"Yes, the first one," answered Wilson when asked if it was his
first career TD. "I got one in little league, but I don't know
if that counts. I was looking for someone to pitch to, but
nobody showed up. My teammates did a great job blocking."
Arizona tried to catch Philadelphia off guard with an onside
kick but cornerback Willie Clark fielded it and sprinted 39
yards for a touchdown to tie the game, 7-7.
"After six losses in a row, I wanted to come out and be very
aggressive," said Tobin about his decision on the onside kick.
"If a kickoff fails to go (10) yards, you re-kick it with a
penalty. I thought it was a good gamble."
Nedney kicked a 45-yard field goal to give the Cardinals a 10-7
lead with 2:20 left in the first half. Arizona stretched the
lead to 17-7 when Plummer tossed a 31-yard scoring pass to Rob
Moore with 8:43 remaining in the third.
Philadelphia marched 82 yards in seven plays on its next
possession, capped by Detmer's 19-yard TD pass to Seay, cutting
the deficit to 17-14 with 4:16 left in the third.
On Arizona's ensuing possession, defensive tackle Hollis Thomas
sacked Plummer and defensive end Greg Jefferson recovered the
fumble on the Cardinals 20. After a two-yard gain by Ricky
Watters, Detmer fired an 18-yard TD pass to Freddie Solomon,
giving the Eagles a 21-17 lead with 3:32 to go in the third.
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