Fall 2024

Déjà vu? QB Nick Foles leads Philadelphia Eagles to big late-season victory

In 2017, Nick Foles took over starting quarterback duties for the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, filling in for an injured Carson Wentz. He then led the team to the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.

On Sunday — Week 15 in 2018 — Foles again started at QB for the Eagles, again filling in for an injured Wentz. And he led the Eagles, who are fighting for their playoff lives, to an upset victory over the mighty L.A. Rams. According to ESPN, it marked the second-largest upset of the season — the Eagles were 13.5-point underdogs — and Philadelphia’s largest upset win since 1985.

At 7-7, Philly likely needs to win out to have a chance at the postseason, while the Rams at 11-3 have already clinched a berth. On Monday, Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Foles will remain the starter for Week 16 against Houston.

“It was really emotional,” Foles said about his week. “You hate for your teammate to get hurt. I’ve said it before. I feel really bad for Carson. We’re tight in that QB room. … You go through the human emotions. I don’t care what you’ve done in the past — it doesn’t matter once you step onto that field. It’s a new day. It was really just dealing with the emotions, prepping as hard as I could and then realizing I wasn’t alone. I have great teammates out there.”

Foles, who wants to become a youth pastor when he’s done with football, finished Sunday’s game with 24-of-31 passing for 270 yards and an interception. The Eagles offense scored 30 points for only the second time this season.

While Foles will get at least one more start, it’s unclear after that. Wentz has a stress fracture in his back, which could require three months of recovery. But as he seeks outside medical opinions, he hasn’t been ruled out for the season.

After facing the 10-4 Houston Texans at home, Philadelphia closes the regular season at Washington on Dec. 30.

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