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Jeffery takes blame for Eagles' loss: 'I let the city of Philadelphia down'

Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Philadelphia Eagles' chances of retaining their Super Bowl title slipped through their fingers - literally - in Sunday's divisional-round loss to the New Orleans Saints.

With the Eagles down six points just before the two-minute warning, Nick Foles fired a pass to Alshon Jeffery - only to see it go straight through the receiver's hands and into the waiting arms of Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore for a game-sealing interception.

"I let my teammates down. I let the city of Philadelphia down. That's on me. We'll be back next year for sure," Jeffery said postgame, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "One play don't define me. I mean, all of the greats, they have missed game-winning shots. ... So it happens. It's part of football. I just hated the way it happened in the playoffs and it was the final moment."

Jeffery made several key plays to keep the Eagles in the game, finishing with 82 yards on six catches; Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson lauded the wideout's impact after the loss.

"It's hard. I mean, it's really hard because he's so down," Pederson said. "But for me, it's about staying positive. Listen, he's made many, many big catches for us this season and he will continue to do that."

Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson gave a possible explanation for Jeffery's error, revealing after the game that his teammate played through broken ribs, according to Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal.

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