Just when you thought you were done with the Eagles, they pull you back in.

After putting together a strong first three quarters, which also included some horrendous officiating, the Birds nearly lost the game just from the performance of DeShaun Watson. Houston took a one-point lead late in the final quarter, but the Texans left too much time for Nick Foles to put together a game-winning drive. Jake Elliott capped things off with a 35-yard field goal as time expired to keep the team’s wild card hopes alive with a 32-30 win. He also got drug tested after the win.

Kevin will have more on the game later this morning. But for now, the Eagles will need to beat the Redskins in Washington next Sunday and hope the Bears beat the Vikings in Minnesota. Both games will be at 4:25 PM. Meaningful Week 17 football is here.

As for the Patriots, they were happy the Eagles and Nick Foles won a game:

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The Roundup:

After winning Thursday night’s game over the Predators, Carter Hart suffered his first NHL loss as the Flyers fell to the Blue Jackets 4-3. Sean Couturier, Phil Varone, and James van Riemsdyk all scored in the losing effort. It was also Varone’s first career NHL goal.

Philly then had a quick turnaround to take on the Rangers last night at Madison Square Garden. Behind a returning Michal Neuvirth, the Flyers got goals from Michael Raffl, Wayne Simmonds, and a shootout tally from Nolan Patrick to get a 3-2 win. Raffl scored his first goal of the season while Neuvirth made 32 saves on 34 shots.

They’ll next play Tampa Bay Thursday night after the holiday break is over. But while you wait, enjoy the latest episode of Snow the Goalie, with special guest Scott Hartnell.

The Sixers ended their 2018 home stand with a huge 126-101 win over the Toronto Raptors. Joel Embiid had 27 points and 11 rebounds, Ben Simmons had a near triple-double with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, and JJ Redick scored 22 points. But now consider the fact that the Raptors didn’t have Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka, and Jonas Valanciunas. Big difference.

They’ll start a five-game road swing tomorrow afternoon as they take on the Celtics in Boston. Tip-off is at 5:30 PM on ABC.

Meanwhile, GM Elton Brand doesn’t have a timetable on if or when Markelle Fultz will play again this season, but does expect Zhaire Smith to play.

“Zhaire is in the gym every morning, early in the morning, sometimes 5 a.m. He’s in good spirits,” Brand said. “He’ll have another test on his foot after the holiday and we expect to see him back this season. Not this year, but, this season.”

In college hoops:

  • La Salle and head coach Ashley Howard earned their first two wins of the season in Atlantic City after beating Alabama A&M and Towson.

In other sports news, the Dodgers traded Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, and Alex Wood to the Reds. Could they be in the hunt for Bryce Harper?

UFC 232 is moving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles after test results from Jon Jones came back.

Despite the Mavs losing, Luka Doncic is a damn good basketball player:

In the news, the government partially shut down on Saturday.

Defense Secretary James Mattis also resigned.