The Philadelphia Eagles needed a big play, desperately...and when a big play is needed, few have been better downfield than wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
Down 16-3 and facing the real possibility of entering halftime two possessions behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their wild-card matchup, quarterback Jalen Hurts found Smith running wide open down the seam and the two connected on a massive 55-yard strike.
JALEN HURTS 56 YARDS TO DEVONTA SMITH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2024
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/AVmFrMgq0Z
On the very next play, the Eagles drew up a beautiful play-action concept to spring tight end Dallas Goedert wide open for an extremely important touchdown:
And Dallas Goedert walks into the end zone
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/tItA8xNEM1
Philly decided to go for two after a defensive offsides penalty gave the Eagles a try from the one-yard line, but the all-but-patented "tush push" was unsuccessful — which has been a rarity this season.
Despite the failed two-point conversion, the importance of that scoring drive can't be understated for Philadelphia.
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