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Eagles, Jaguars meet in interconference matchup

Oct 24, 2006 - 8:11 PM Jacksonville (3-3) at Philadelphia (4-3) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - The Philadelphia Eagles better hope Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars isn't close in the fourth quarter.

Looking to shake their propensity for losing close games, the Eagles host the Jaguars in an interconference game.

The Eagles' three losses this season all have come on the game's final play, including in each of the last two weeks on field goals as time expired. Their four wins have been by double digits.

"We have to start winning these games," Eagles tight end L.J. Smith said. "Coming close doesn't help us at all. We have to find a way to close teams out."

Last week, the Eagles lost a game in improbable fashion as Matt Bryant kicked a 62-yard field goal as time expired to lift Tampa Bay to a 23-21 victory. John Carney converted a 31-yard field goal the previous week on the final play of the game to give New Orleans a 27-24 victory.

Philadelphia lost to Tampa Bay despite not allowing an offensive touchdown and holding a 506-196 advantage in total yards. Donovan McNabb threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

McNabb threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns. He leads the league in passing yards (2,151) and TDs (16) and is second with a 101.7 rating.

With McNabb leading the way, the Eagles top the NFL in total offense at 417.1 yards per game.

After getting off to a 2-0 start, the Jaguars have lost three of their last four games, with injuries taking their toll.

Starting quarterback Byron Leftwich reportedly will miss this game with a sore ankle. David Garrard, who went 4-1 as a starter late last season when Leftwich was sideined, will start.

Linebacker Mike Petersen and defensive end Reggie Hayward have been lost with season-ending injuries and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud missed last week's 27-7 loss at Houston with a groin injury. Wide receiver Matt Jones (hamstring) and defensive end Marcellus Wiley (groin) also missed the game.

Hours after the loss to Houston, Jaguars defensive end Bobby McCray was arrested and charged with reckless driving and possession of a controlled painkiller. A seventh-round pick out of Florida in 2004, McCray serves as a backup behind starters Rob Meier and Paul Spicer.

"We're not ready to raise the white flag just yet," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said.

Leftwich, who was listed as questionable for the game against Houston due to a sore ankle, completed just 14-of-28 passes for 125 yards.

Jacksonville has split two games against NFC East opponents, beating Dallas at home and losing at Washington in overtime.