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Eagles Hold Off Rams For Crucial Victory

The Eagles marched into Los Angeles and held off the Rams to come away with a shocking 30-23 victory Sunday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

After the Eagles used a dominant third quarter to build a 17-point lead, the Rams fought back and made it a one-score game with just more than four minutes to play.

The Rams' defense then forced the Eagles into a three-and-out, but muffed the ensuing punt, which was quickly recovered by the Eagles in Rams territory with 2:51 left.

The Eagles tried to ice the game with a 53-yard field goal, but Jake Elliott's attempt fell wide right. The Rams took over at their own 47 with 1:08 to play and a chance to tie the game.

The Rams drove all the way down to the Eagles' 18-yard line with just four seconds left, enough time for just one more play to tie the game. However, Rams quarterback Jared Goff overthrew his target out of the end zone and the Eagles hung on for the win.

In his first start since Week 2, Nick Foles rose to the occasion once again by completing 24 of his 31 passes for 270 yards. Wendell Smallwood had a career-night with 48 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery dominated with eight receptions for 160 yards, his most as an Eagle.

The Eagles showed they came to play right away with one of their most efficient first halves of the season.

After the defense forced an impressive three-and-out to open to game, the offense marched into Rams territory and got on the board with a 51-yard field goal from Elliott. It was only the fourth time this season the Eagles opened a game with a score. The Eagles have won all of those games.

The Rams responded with a methodical drive of more than seven minutes that ended in a Todd Gurley touchdown run from 5 yards out to make the score 7-3 late in the first. The Eagles then scored on their second drive of the game for the first time all season with a field goal to make it a one-point game.

Avonte Maddox, in his first game back since Week 11, made his mark with an interception on the next drive playing outside corner for the first time this season. The Eagles failed to take advantage and turned it over on downs. The Rams used the short field to pick up another field goal and make it 10-6.

The Eagles followed with an efficient drive that was capped by a 6-yard touchdown run by running back Josh Adams, giving the Eagles a 13-10 advantage. The Rams added a field goal before the end of the half tie the game at 13-13.

The Eagles began the second half with one of their best defensive possessions of the year. With the Rams backed up at their own 5-yard line, the Eagles blew up a run play for a loss, broke up a screen at the goal line, and forced a three-and-out.

The Eagles' defense recorded five tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, and five pass deflections in an impressive night.

Foles and the offense wasted no time capitalizing. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Foles took a shot deep and delivered a 50-yard pass to Jeffery, who was running behind the defense alongside wide receiver Nelson Agholor.

On the next play, Smallwood carried the ball into the end zone from 9 yards out to give the Eagles a 20-13 lead. The Eagles never trailed in the second half. They kept the pressure on and gained even more momentum. The Rams faced a third-and-2 on their next possession and the Eagles brought the house to force a quick throw and another three-and-out.

The Eagles then drove efficiently with runs by Smallwood and passes to Jeffery, but a holding call in Rams territory slowed down the drive. The Eagles added another field goal to take a 23-13 lead late in the third quarter.

The momentum trucked toward the Eagles' direction when the Rams faced a third-and-1 on the next possession. Goff fell as he took the snap, stumbled back up, and was hit by linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill as he threw an ill-advised ball that fell into the hands of safety Corey Graham for an interception.

A pass to wide receiver Golden Tate set up a 4-yard run for Smallwood's second touchdown of the night. Suddenly, the underdog Eagles held a 17-point lead.

The Eagles were aggressive on defense and forced another three-and-out. The Rams then faked a punt an appeared to gain a first down, but were unsuccessful when a review showed the pass hit the ground.

The Rams began a comeback when cornerback Aqib Talib stepped in front of Foles' next pass at the goal line. It was Foles' lone mistake of the night. Los Angeles added a field goal to make it a 30-16 and scored again on a Gurley touchdown after forcing an Eagles punt to make it 30-23.

Despite the Rams' comeback efforts, the Eagles improved their record to 7-7, making their game next week against the Houston Texans (10-4) important for both squads.

Check out the best photos from the Eagles' game against the Los Angeles Rams.

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