GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Running back LeSean McCoy ran for more yards against the Arizona Cardinals than anyone else in 2014.
McCoy knew entering Sunday's matchup that the Cardinals ranked first in the league in run defense. McCoy had 83 yards on 21 carries, including 39 on eight attempts (4.9 yards per carry) when the Eagles were trying to rally from behind for the win.
The Eagles came up just short, falling 24-20 to Arizona. But after a third-straight strong performance out of the run game, McCoy praised the work done by the offensive line.
"I felt we could beat them in the run. Obviously, they were tired (in the fourth quarter), but we gashed them," McCoy said. "I felt the guys up front were better."
However, the Eagles were unable to cash in inside the red zone. With the game tied 17-17, the Eagles faced third-and-short at the Cardinals' 1-yard line. There was still an opportunity to get the first down without the touchdown. The offense lined up with quarterback Nick Foles and McCoy in the shotgun. They had two tight ends stacked to the right side of the line. McCoy took the handoff and went up the middle, but there just wasn't enough room to get in.
"The guy hit me as soon as I got it," McCoy said. "I slipped off and then my end was clogged up. They did a good job stopping it."
McCoy thought that the Eagles were going to go for it on fourth down. But head coach Chip Kelly decided to take the 20-yard Cody Parkey field goal and the lead. After John Brown got behind the defense for a 75-yard touchdown to regain the lead, the Eagles had one more chance with 1:21 remaining. The Eagles drove to the Arizona 16-yard line, but Foles' last-second attempt to wide receiver Jordan Matthews fell incomplete.
"It was frustrating. We have to get back to the drawing board and get back next week and get to it," McCoy said. "They're a good team. That's why they're 6-1."
With the run game in sync and the return of center Jason Kelce and guard Evan Mathis on the horizon, if the Eagles can figure out the issues in the red zone (0 for 3 on Sunday) then they can use Sunday's loss as a launch pad into the second half of the season.
