By DAVID BRANDT, AP Sports Writer
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jalen Hurts ran for two touchdowns and the Philadelphia Eagles remained the only undefeated team in the NFL, beating Arizona 20-17 on Sunday after the late goal attempt Matt Ammendola’s field goal for the Cardinals went wide to the right.
The Eagles improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2004, when they won their first seven games and went 13-3.
The Cardinals never led, but it looked like they would take the game to overtime until Ammendola missed the 43-yard shot. The kick looked good for a split second, but then it veered hard to the right and off the studs. Ammendola was elevated to the active list due to an injury to the team’s starting kicker, Matt Prater.
Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray was just short of a first down on a second-down run during the final drive, then spiked the ball on third down to force Ammendola’s attempt with 22 seconds remaining.
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Philadelphia made the go-ahead field goal on a 17-play, 70-yard drive that lasted nearly eight minutes. Hurts extended the drive twice with 1-yard runs down the middle on third down, getting a big push from his offensive line to give himself enough room to lunge forward.
Cameron Dicker, who was playing in place of the injured Jake Elliott, easily converted the 23-yard field goal. Philadelphia’s defense kept Arizona’s offense out of the end zone on the final drive and then ran off the field celebrating when Ammendola’s kick missed.
Hurts continued an MVP-caliber season by completing 26 of 36 passes for 239 yards. He also rushed for 61 yards.
Arizona (2-3) has lost all three of its home games this season and won two on the road.
The Eagles kept Murray mostly in check, limiting him to just 28 of 42 passes for 250 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
The Eagles cut their lead from 14-0 to 14-10 at halftime on Matt Ammendola’s 20-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter. The Cardinals kept the drive alive with a fake punt, throwing the ball directly to Williams, who rushed seven yards for the first down.
Hurts pushed the pile for a 1-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The quarterback was 5-of-7 for 56 yards during the 64-yard drive as the Eagles methodically moved downfield.
He scored his second touchdown in the second quarter on another 1-yard run for a 14-0 lead.
The Cardinals finally fought back, with Marquise Brown shaking off several would-be tacklers on a 25-yard touchdown run that cut the deficit to 14-7.
The Cardinals haven’t scored in the first quarter this season, fighting from behind in all five games. They have also lost all three home games while winning both away games.
Arizona has had a tough schedule at home this season, facing the Chiefs, Rams and Eagles.
The Eagles have a fan in Phillies star Bryce Harper, who helped his baseball team eliminate the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL wild-card round on Saturday.
During the celebration, Harper said he was looking forward to seeing the Eagles beat the “other Cardinals.”
Eagles: Philadelphia’s inactives included K Jake Elliott (ankle) and left tackle Jordan Mailata (shoulder). … LG Landon Dickerson (leg) left the game in the first quarter.
Cardinals: Arizona was playing without K Matt Prater (hip) and starting center Rodney Hudson (knee), who were among the team’s inactives. … RB James Conner (ribs) left the game just before halftime. Two of the team’s backup running backs, Darrel Williams (knee) and Jonathan Ward (hamstring), also left the game in the second half.
Eagles: Host the Cowboys next Sunday.
Cardinals: Travel to face the Seahawks next Sunday.
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