Eagles leave it until late to clinch No 1 NFC playoff seed

The road to the Super Bowl in the NFC goes through Philadelphia.

Oakland Raiders' Reggie Nelson, right, is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Zach Ertz. picture: AP.

The road to the Super Bowl in the NFC goes through Philadelphia.

Jake Elliott kicked a 48-yard field goal with 22 seconds left, and the Eagles clinched the No 1 seed for the NFC playoffs with a sloppy 19-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders yesterday.

The Eagles (13-2) went to the Super Bowl and lost 24-21 to New England the last time they had home-field advantage following the 2004 season. They’ll need the edge after a second straight poor performance. The defence struggled in a 34-29 win at the Giants last week. The offence was awful against the Raiders.

“We played great team ball,” cornerback Patrick Robinson said. “The offence didn’t play as well as they have been; the ­defence had to step up.”

Ronald Darby intercepted Derek Carr’s pass and ran it back 52 yards with 54 seconds left, but was ruled down by contact at the spot of the pick. Nick Foles then completed four straight passes for 21 yards. After an incomplete pass, Elliott nailed his kick right down the middle.

Derek Barnett returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown after picking up a lateral on Oakland’s final play from scrimmage.

Coming off a 12-4 season, the Raiders (6-9) were a popular pick to challenge the Patriots for the AFC title. But they were eliminated from the playoff chase.

Still, playing for pride, Oakland nearly spoiled Philadelphia’s Christmas.

“Defensive battle, hard-fought game, certainly had our chances,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. “We ran it well, struggled throwing it. Defence played extremely well.”

Foles had a tough time. He was 19 of 38 for 163 yards with one TD and one interception. “I didn’t play good enough,” Foles said. “I have to play cleaner, (need) pinpoint ­accuracy and good decisions on third downs.” Carr was 15 of 29 for 140 yards, one TD and two interceptions.

“Any time you give the ball to the other team, it hurts,” Carr said. Carr threw a 63-yard TD pass to Amari Cooper to tie it at seven early in the second quarter.

Giorgio Tavecchio kicked a 25-yard field goal on the opening drive of the third quarter to give the Raiders a 10-7 lead.

The teams traded turnovers on three straight possessions, starting with Robinson intercepting Carr and returning it to Oakland’s 44.

Eagles left guard Chance Warmack then caused Jay Ajayi to fumble when he tried to push the pile and hit his teammate. The Raiders recovered at their 30, but gave it back on the next play when Marshawn Lynch fumbled at the same spot. Philadelphia couldn’t do much with excellent field position and settled for Elliott’s tying 35-yard field goal.

AP