‘Boston’ Saves Philly

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good and that thesis was again proven during Monday's 23-17 overtime win by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles looked terrible in the first half, trailing the two-win New York Giants by two touchdowns, 17-3, with speedy rookie receiver Darius Slayton proving to be the latest downfield threat to torture the Philadelphia cornerbacks.

By the third quarter Miles Sanders, the Eagles' lead back in the wake of Jordan Howard's month-long stinger injury, got banged up and was forced to the sidelines with the team medical staff checking on his leg, forcing second year-pro Boston Scott into action.

Scott was part of the scripted game plan as a movement-based player, lining up outside before moving inside the formation on a couple of plays but he was quickly forgotten about once Doug Pederson went off-script.

Sanders as the bell cow was hardly successful with his much-ballyhooed Penn State reunion with Saquon Barkley, playing out as a minor storyline. As the Eagles were getting gashed in the first 30 minues Sanders managed just 23 yards on seven rushes and three receptions for 13 more.

When Sanders left briefly in the third quarter, the athletic Scott served as a defibrillator paddle for a Philadelphia offense on life support. He got outside for big plays in the running game and passing game with one touch for eight yards at intermission turning into 16 for 128 yards of total offense by the time Carson Wentz found Zach Ertz for the 2-yard touchdown that won it on overtime.

"Just do my job," Scott said when asked what his mentality was when he got the call. "Eash week we prepare. [Assistant head coach/RB coach] Duce [Staley] does a great job preparing us. Everybody. It doesn't matter if you're on the active roster or on the practice squad, he does a great job preparing us for whatever may come. That's the nature of the NFL; you never know."

You really do never know in the NFL.

The Eagles had seven plays of over 15 yards against the Giants and three of them came from Scott, all at the biggest times: a 25-yard run in overtime that was the linchpin en route to the game-winner, and two huge fourth-quarter screens during the comeback, gains of 17 and 16 yards.

"Our offensive line has always done a great job and I just did my best to set it up," Scott explained of his effectiveness catching the football which ended with six receptions on six targets.

One of those lineman, Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks, teamed with All-Pro center Jason Kelce to spring Scott on his long run.

"One thing I've watched from Scott is he's always a hundred miles an hour," Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks said. "He learned that from Darren Sproles. ... When he gets the opportunity he always makes the most of it. I'm mot shocked at all that Boston went out there and showed the world what he can do. I'm happy for him. I'm excited for him. Hopefully going forward he gets more touches."

And if Scott does get those touches he will be ready.

"You never know when your opportunity might come," Scott said. "Why worry about not getting it right now? [If] you're in a bad mood, you're being negative and your opportunities come, you could mess it up. ... God has been teaching me patience."

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen