NEW ORLEANS – When it was over and the reporters crowded around wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, he turned and answered the tough questions. What was there to say? A perfect pass from quarterback Nick Foles went through his hands, and the ball was then intercepted by New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore, preserving the Saints' 20-14 win on Sunday over the Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
"It happens to the best of us," said Jeffery, who registered five catches for 63 yards on Sunday. "We'll move on. It hurts right now, but I guarantee we'll be back next year for sure."
Jeffery was visibly upset on the field after the interception and after showering and dressing, he wasn't a whole lot better. He accepted responsibility for the defeat, even as the rest of his teammates and coaches pointed out other moments the Eagles had chances to take control of the game.
"I take that loss on me," said Jeffery, who played through broken ribs, according to Lane Johnson.
The Eagles' offense bogged down after a 14-point first quarter. New Orleans was dominating against the Eagles' running game and Foles was ineffective for the most part for the final three quarters of the game.
"That's on us," Jeffery said. "They didn't do nothing special. I feel like we beat ourselves. Hats off to those guys. Congrats on going to the NFC Championship Game. They've got a helluva team over there."
Jeffery made no excuses for the final play, saying, "I didn't catch the ball, they made the play."
He also said that "that play won't destroy me. It happens to the best of us. Guys miss game-winning shots (in basketball) and drop touchdowns all the time. You live and you learn."
Jeffery expects to think about the drop throughout the offseason while he's "training and grinding. I know that each guy in this locker room wants the same thing. We hate this feeling right now."
Check out the best photos from the Eagles' game against the Saints in the Divisional Round.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
S Malcolm Jenkins
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
LB Jordan Hicks
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Alshon Jeffery
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Tim Jernigan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
OT Jason Peters
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Alshon Jeffery
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
S Malcolm Jenkins
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Alshon Jeffery
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Head coach Doug Pederson
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Golden Tate
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Shelton Gibson
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Head coach Doug Pederson
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
S Malcolm Jenkins
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
CB Cre'Von LeBlanc
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
S Malcolm Jenkins
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
S Malcolm Jenkins
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Haloti Ngata
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
G Brandon Brooks
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
OT Lane Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
TE Richard Rodgers
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Offensive coordinator Mike Groh
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
RB Wendell Smallwood
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
TE Zach Ertz and WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
CB Cre'Von LeBlanc
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
CB Cre'Von LeBlanc
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
CB Cre'Von LeBlanc
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DE Brandon Graham
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Tim Jernigan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
C Jason Kelce
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
CB Josh Hawkins
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Tim Jernigan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
LB Nigel Bradham
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Tim Jernigan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
LB Jordan Hicks
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Tim Jernigan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Tim Jernigan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Michael Bennett
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
S Tre Sullivan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
DT Tim Jernigan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019
