Philly Flounders, But Gets Win

Less than six days after their second humiliating shutout loss of the season at home, the Philadelphia Eagles tasted victory.

When Jason Hanson's 58-yard field goal attempt landed short in the end zone in the final minute, it was time for the Eagles to celebrate.

As for the Detroit Lions, they just keep sinking.

Hanson, who had three field goals for the Lions' only points, missed his game-winning attempt with 31 seconds left as the Eagles held on for a 10-9 victory Sunday.

Charlie Garner rushed for a career-high 129 yards for the Eagles (2-7), who contained Barry Sanders until the final drive and added a glimmer of respectability to their season.

The Lions (2-7), famous for strong finishes, now find themselves in the company of the Eagles. Killed by penalties again, they had to rely on a desperation last-minute drive that ended when Hanson's kick landed short in the end zone.

Garner and Duce Staley (17 carries, 89 yards) shredded the league's sixth-best run defense and kept the dangerous Sanders off the field. Sanders rushed 20 times for 140 yards, exceeding 1,000 yards for the NFL record 10th straight season.

Trailing by a point after Chris Boniol's 39-yard field goal with 10:48 left put the Eagles ahead, the Lions got one last chance from their own 21. Rookie Charlie Batch hit tight end David Sloan for 30 yards to the Eagles 46 at the two-minute warning.

But the Lions were backed up by Sloan's holding penalty two plays later, and they lost 5 more yards that might have made a difference on Hanson's kick. Tackle Tony Ramirez was called for a false start after Batch hit Herman Moore for 24 yards to the Philadelphia 35.

The Eagles sacked Batch five times -- including 21/2 by Hugh Douglas, who has a career-high 101/2 this season. The Lions lost on a field goal for the second straight week. Arizona's Joel Nedney hit a late 53-yarder as the Cardinals beat he Lions 17-15 last week.

Bobby Hoying, in his first start since the Eagles' fifth game at Denver, was 15-for-21 for 97 yards. Staley had seven catches for 32 yards.

Batch, benched last week after throwing three interceptions and fumbling in the first half against Arizona, was 14-for-27 for 146 yards.

Sanders was in danger of failing to rush for 100 yards for only the second time in 23 games until he broke a 44-yarder on the last play of the third.

On the first play of the fourth, Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent received a concussion in a collision with teammate Michael Zordich.

Zordich, a safety coming up to help cover Johnny Morton, put his head down and collided with Vincent's helmet on the incomplete pass. Vincent lay prone for about 10 minutes, but walked off with help from teammates and coaches.

Two plays later, Hanson kicked his third field goal of the game, a 35-yarder that gave the Lions a 9-7 lead.

The Eagles got a 35-yard kickoff return from Allen Rossum leading to Boniol's decisive 39-yard field goal.

© 1998 SportsLine USA, Inc. All rights reserved