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The nightmare continues: Cards send Eagles to another loss

Nov 14, 2011 - 12:00 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - For the Philadelphia Eagles, it's the same tune. And, unfortunately, they can't find a different station.

Larry Fitzgerald caught two touchdown passes as part of a record-setting performance and made an unbelievable over-the-head grab to set up Arizona's go-ahead score late in regulation, handing the Eagles another gut-wrenching loss, 21-17.

Philadelphia (3-6) blew a fourth-quarter lead for the fifth time this season in a year that has become far from dreamy.

"We have to fix it. The obvious is there. Penalties, moving backwards. You can't do that," Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid said about the troubles in the fourth quarter.

The Cardinals (3-6), meanwhile, snapped an 11-game road losing streak.

Arizona trailed 14-7 after three quarters, but rallied behind backup quarterback John Skelton, who made his second straight start in place of Kevin Kolb. Though the former Eagle was out again because of turf toe, he still enjoyed the view from the sidelines as the Cardinals won as the visitor for the first time since September 12 last year at St. Louis.

The Cardinals began their game-tying drive at their own 11-yard line, and Skelton hit Fitzgerald for a 29-yard gain, placing the ball at the Philadelphia 48. Skelton threw incomplete on third down, but an offsides penalty on cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha gave Arizona another opportunity. This time, on 3rd-and-5, Skelton found Fitzgerald for 10 yards.

A 20-yard reception by Andre Roberts and six-yard run by Beanie Wells set up Fitzgerald's seven-yard touchdown off a deflection. And with the catch, Fitzgerald recorded his 70th career touchdown, surpassing Roy Green for the Cardinals franchise record.

Michael Vick appeared to have thrown an interception on Philadelphia's next possession. The Eagles challenged the turnover and it was determined Arizona cornerback Richard Marshall dropped the ball.

Philadelphia wound up punting the ball away and Asomugha picked off Skelton in Cardinals territory. Alex Henery kicked a 36-yard field goal to put the Eagles up 17-14 with 5:06 remaining.

Arizona was pinned at its own 13-yard line to start the ensuing drive. The Cardinals moved the ball to the 32, where they faced a 4th-and-2 with 3:10 left. Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt made a gutsy call, opting to stick with his offense, and Skelton delivered, finding LaRod Stephens-Howling for a 30-yard reception.

After back-to-back incompletions, Fitzgerald made his remarkable catch, falling down shy of the goal line for a 37-yard gain. Wells was stopped for no gain on first down, then tackled for a four-yard loss. On the next play, Early Doucet caught a short toss and ran into the end zone with 1:53 to play.

A.J. Jefferson then made a game-sealing interception, the second thrown by Vick.

"I give a lot of credit to our players and our team for believing in what we were doing," Whisenhunt said.

Arizona had more success than Philadelphia advancing the ball in the first quarter, but the game remained scoreless after Jay Feely missed two field goals (35 and 43 yards).

The Eagles defense opened the scoring when Asante Samuel picked off a pass intended for Fitzgerald and ran 20 yards to the end zone.

Skelton bounced back well on the next possession, guiding the Cardinals on a 10-play, 84-yard drive. Skelton, who converted a 3rd-and-8 with a completion to Roberts and was aided by a roughing-the-passer penalty, found Fitzgerald for a 10-yard scoring strike.

Arizona then appeared to make a big defensive play when safety Adrian Wilson intercepted Vick's pass in the end zone. The turnover was wiped out by a holding penalty, however.

With a second chance, Vick scrambled for 14 yards, putting the Eagles on the Arizona three. Two plays later, LeSean McCoy powered his way across the goal line and into the Philadelphia record book. The third-year running back set a club mark with a touchdown in nine straight games, breaking Steve Van Buren's record that he established in 1947.

Arizona defensive end Calais Campbell picked off Vick at the line to thwart a promising drive late in the third quarter. The Eagles had marched to the Arizona 18.

Game Notes

Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson was inactive after missing a team meeting Saturday...Philadelphia wideout Jeremy Maclin suffered a right shoulder injury in the first quarter but returned to the game. He then went down with a hamstring injury in the fourth and was unable to return...McCoy became just the fourth player since 1960 to score a TD in the first game of the season, joining Lenny Moore (1964), O.J. Simpson (1975) and George Rogers (1986)...Skelton finished with 315 yards while completing 21-of-40 passes...Fitzgerald had 146 yards on seven receptions...Vick converted only 16-of-34 throws and was held to a season-low 128 yards passing...McCoy gained 81 yards on 14 carries. With 906 yards, he broke Ricky Watters' team record (898) for most rushing yards through the first nine games.