Plummer Still Has Touch

Jake Plummer is up to his old tricks.

After his three first-quarter interceptions helped the Philadelphia Eagles take a 21-point lead, Plummer--the comeback artist--led the Arizona Cardinals to a 25-24 victory Sunday, with Chris Jacke making a 31-yard field goal as time ran out.

“With 12 minutes left, I don’t think I had to say it, but I did anyway. I said, ‘We’re down, but we’re still in it,’ ” Plummer said.

Then he walked down the benches telling his teammates, “You gotta believe!”

Plummer, nursing a sprained thumb on his throwing hand and doubtful to play, was 25 for 49 for 274 yards and a touchdown. He led the Cardinals to two touchdowns and two field goals in the second half.

Plummer has now led Arizona to 10 comeback victories in 26 games, most of those coming in the closing seconds.

“I love the way he stays in there no matter what the circumstances,” Arizona Coach Vince Tobin said.

The Cardinals got a break when Eagle receiver Brian Finneran bobbled a pass that wound up in the hands of Kwamie Lassiter, who returned it to the Philadelphia 43 with 1:49 left. Plummer connected with Michael Pittman for 13 yards and two plays later had a 17-yard run on a bootleg that put the Cardinals on the four. After Arizona let the clock run down to four seconds, Jacke kicked the game-winner.

Philadelphia appeared to have the game in hand after a sloppy first half in which there were seven turnovers--four in a 3:29 span in the first quarter. The Eagles had leads of 21-0 and 24-6 before Plummer went to work.

“When you get ahead, you have to learn how to win. We learned something today,” said Andy Reid, who was making his debut as Eagle coach.