SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 9, 2012
Eagles 23, Buccaneers 21: Rookie Nick Foles threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin with no time remaining as Philadelphia snapped its eight-game losing skid with a road triumph over Tampa Bay.
Without a timeout, Foles drove the Eagles (4-9) down the field before connecting with Jason Avant just short of the goal line. Foles spiked the ball before rolling out and finding Maclin on the ensuing play to hand the Buccaneers (6-7) their third straight setback.
Foles set an Eagles' rookie single-game passing record with 381 yards, but it was his plodding touchdown from 10 yards out that gave Philadelphia a 10-0 lead just before halftime. Foles then connected on an 11-yard touchdown to Clay Harbor with 3:55 remaining to bring the Eagles to within 21-16.
Josh Freeman tossed a pair of touchdowns for his eighth multi-score contest in nine outings. Vincent Jackson proved to be his favorite target, connecting six times for 131 yards and a touchdown.
Jackson's 28-yard reception on a third-and-7 set the stage for Doug Martin, who added a 4-yard touchdown with 7:26 to play. Martin finished with 128 yards and surpassed Carnell Williams' rookie franchise record of 1,178, set in 2005.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Tampa Bay celebrated the 10th anniversary reunion of its Super Bowl XXXVII team. That club posted a 27-10 victory over Andy Reid and Philadelphia in the 2002 NFC Championship Game ... Foles' rushing touchdown was the first by an Eagles rookie quarterback since John Reaves in 1972. ... Philadelphia rookie RB Bryce Brown managed just six yards on 12 carries. Brown had gained 347 yards in his two previous starts.