A pick in time saves Philly
PHILADELPHIA — Once Lito Sheppard read the play, he knew it was up to him to save the game — and possibly the season — for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sheppard's interception in the end zone with 25 seconds left preserved a 27-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night that vaulted the struggling Eagles back into the playoff picture in the mediocre NFC.
Playing for the injured Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia threw for 312 yards and three touchdown passes against a tough defense. But it came down to Sheppard against Keyshawn Johnson on a fade route that worked earlier in the game on another defender.
From the Eagles 7, Jake Delhomme lobbed a pass toward the right corner for Johnson, who is a half-foot taller than Sheppard. An All-Pro cornerback two years ago, Sheppard held his ground, leaped and made the pick while barely staying inbounds.
"It was a critical moment. Somebody had to make a play," Sheppard said. "I picked up the signal. I saw it before he hiked the ball. I thought if I can just stay outside, I can have a chance to make a play. He overthrew it and I saw Keyshawn try to undercut it and jump at it, but it was too high for him. Once I caught it, I didn't know my left foot was that close, but I knew I got both feet in."
A few minutes earlier, Brian Dawkins put the Eagles in position to take the lead with an interception and a 38-yard return. That set up David Akers' decisive 25-yard field goal with 3:13 left.
Before Philly's beleaguered defense came up with big plays, Garcia delivered several of his own in just his second start since replacing McNabb, who tore a knee ligament two weeks ago.
A three-time Pro Bowl quarterback when he was guiding San Francisco to playoff berths, Garcia isn't going to make people forget McNabb. But the 36-year-old veteran is way better than Mike McMahon, who filled in when McNabb was hurt last year.
Garcia ran around like Mc-Nabb, withstood a couple hard hits and made some big-time throws. Now the Eagles (6-6) are tied with three other teams for the two NFC wild-card spots.
"We have not lost focus of what our goal is — to be a playoff team," Garcia said. "Nobody has been discouraged, nobody has hung their head, it's a really positive atmosphere in the locker room considering what we've gone through over the last two months. This is a great way to come together; I think we can put some things together."
Garcia struggled early, but had a strong second half, using his arm and his legs to offset Carolina's dangerous pass rush. He had TD passes of 8 yards to Brian Westbrook, 30 to Donte' Stallworth and 40 to Reggie Brown.
With three straight road games coming up against division opponents, the Eagles are tied with Carolina, Atlanta and the New York Giants.
"It's a crazy year," coach Andy Reid said. "Anything's possible."
