There’s More Frustration for the Eagles

MINNEAPOLIS —  The Philadelphia Eagles’ frustrations seemed to boil over Sunday night as they lost another game they could have won and wound up fighting among themselves.

As the Eagles were frittering away a 28-19 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, sideline television cameras caught Eagle running back Ricky Watters and quarterback Ty Detmer in a heated exchange moments after Watters had taken a hard hit on an overthrown pass in the middle of the field.

When Philadelphia got the ball back, Detmer handed off twice to Watters for big gains. But just as the Eagles seemed to be getting back into the game, Detmer threw the ball into the hands of Dewayne Washington for his second interception.

That essentially ended any chances the Eagles (1-3) had of avoiding a third loss to an NFC opponent. The Vikings are 3-2.

“It was a frustrating moment in the game and I got a little out of control,” Detmer said. “Everybody probably figures it was Ricky, but it was me. I apologized to him and told him it wouldn’t happen again.”

Cornerback Troy Vincent perhaps had the most to do with the loss as he was continually burned by Minnesota receivers Jake Reed and Cris Carter, the former Eagle whose 22-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was the game’s decisive score. He made his 700th catch late in the game.

The Eagles also had another special teams foul-up. Mark Seay tried to field a bouncing punt midway through the third quarter while he was surrounded by Vikings and the ball went off his hands, then off his face mask.

The resulting fumble was recovered by Minnesota, and two plays later Robert Smith burst through the middle for a 14-yard touchdown.

Seay also dropped a two-point conversion pass after the Eagles drove 67 yards after the kickoff for their second touchdown.