Despite Eagles’ loss, former Arizona standout Nick Foles impresses in playoff debut

Jan 5, 2014, 4:56 AM | Updated: 4:57 am

Former Arizona quarterback Nick Foles’ first taste of postseason life in the NFL ended before it really even got started Saturday night, though no fault of his own.

Foles completed 23 of his 33 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns in his playoff debut for the Philadelphia Eagles, but it was all for naught as the New Orleans Saints rallied for a 26-24 road victory in the Wild Card showdown.

For a moment, it looked as if Foles would actually play the role of the hero in the City of Brotherly Love, as his three-yard touchdown pass to rookie Zach Ertz put the Eagles on top 24-23 with 4:54 remaining in the contest. However, fellow Dallas Westlake High School alum Drew Brees promptly led New Orleans on a 10-play drive capped off by a Shayne Graham 32-yard field goal as time expired.

Including Saturday’s postseason loss, Foles finished 2013 with 3,086 passing yards to go along with 29 touchdowns and two interceptions.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) makes a catch as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Dunta Robinson (21) moves in to defend during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) makes a reception as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Dunta Robinson (21) defends during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) scores a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Dunta Robinson (21) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) scores a touchdown as Indianapolis Colts free safety Darius Butler (20) defends during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) scores a touchdown as Indianapolis Colts free safety Darius Butler (20) and strong safety LaRon Landry (30) defend during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

A bald eagle soars through Lucas Oil Stadium during the National Anthem before an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) walks on the sideline after being injured during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs as Indianapolis Colts defensive end Ricky Jean Francois (99) moves in during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) carries the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

After scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) celebrates with Mike McGlynn (75) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indianapolis Colts' Donald Brown (31) fumbles before the Colts' Andrew Luck (12) recovered the football and went in for a five-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) makes a touchdown reception to move ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs and win 45-44, during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indianapolis Colts' Cory Redding (90) and Colts head coach Chuck Pagano celebrate after beating Kansas City Chiefs 45-44 at an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis defeated Kansas City 45-44. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) celebrates after beating the Kansas City Chiefs 45-44, at an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees (9) passes during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles drops back during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

New Orleans Saints' Mark Ingram, right, cannot pull in a pass as Philadelphia Eagles' Fletcher Cox (91) pursues during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Bradley Fletcher (24) is tackled by New Orleans Saints' Mark Ingram (22) after Fletcher intercepted a Saints' pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

New Orleans Saints' Khiry Robinson, left, tries to break free of Philadelphia Eagles' Mychal Kendricks during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

New Orleans Saints' Khiry Robinson (29) dives for extra yardage against Philadelphia Eagles' Nate Allen (29), DeMeco Ryans, second from right, and Patrick Chung (23) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly stands on the sideline as a play is being reviewed during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

New Orleans Saints' Luke McCown (7) celebrates with Shayne Graham (3) after Graham's field goal during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Riley Cooper celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Trent Cole (58) tackles New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees (9) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles' Cary Williams (26) pulls down New Orleans Saints' Darren Sproles (43) by his collar during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. Williams was penalized for the tackle. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

New Orleans Saints' Khiry Robinson, right, tries to get past a diving Philadelphia Eagles' Bradley Fletcher during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

New Orleans Saints' Shayne Graham kicks the game-winning field goal in front of teammate Luke McCown during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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