Eagles Charging Into the Playoffs : NFC: Philadelphia rallies from 17-0 deficit to defeat Arizona, 21-20, and clinch berth.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles showed former coach Buddy Ryan that their tough defense didn’t leave when he did.

The Eagles’ defense forced five second-half turnovers and limited the Cardinals to field goals on four of six trips inside the 20 to earn a home playoff game with a 21-20 comeback victory over Arizona on Sunday.

“When our offense is struggling, we don’t get frustrated with the offense,” safety Greg Jackson said. “We just say, ‘Guys, it’s time for us to turn it on. It’s time for us to make big plays.’ ”

Rodney Peete’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Williams in the fourth quarter helped Philadelphia (10-5) overcome a 17-0 deficit and beat Ryan’s Cardinals (4-11).

The Cardinals drove for what would have been the game-winning field goal with 1:55 left in the game. But Greg Davis, who made his four previous attempts, was short with a 47-yard try. Dave Krieg was sacked for a seven-yard loss by Mark Gunn on the play before the kick.

Ryan defended his decision to have Krieg take a deep drop on third and nine from the Philadelphia 22.

“Of course you try to avoid the sack, but we were trying to win the game, and we decided to go with the pass play,” Ryan said. “With a veteran quarterback, you expect him to throw it away, but he never got the chance.”

The Eagles, who lost their last seven games last year, have won nine of their last 11 to earn a playoff appearance under first-year Coach Ray Rhodes.

The Eagles could even claim the NFC East title if they beat Chicago next week and Dallas loses its last game.

“The difference is they’re fighting back and not giving in. This team has folded its tent at times in the past,” Rhodes said, adding he isn’t satisfied with merely making the playoffs.

“I don’t want to go to the dance and dance one song,” he said. “I want to dance around a little bit.”

Williams caught the winning touchdown pass about 10 yards over the line of scrimmage, ran though a tackle by former Eagle Seth Joyner and sprinted down the middle of the field untouched with 12:10 left. Williams finished with 105 yards in seven catches.

Garrison Hearst, who fumbled three times, lost the ball at the Philadelphia three late in the third quarter as the Cardinals, ahead 20-14, were headed for another score.

The fumble, forced by Andy Harmon, was recovered in the end zone by the Eagles’ BarryWilburn.

Trailing, 17-7, at the half, the Eagles got their first turnover of the game early in the third quarter when Bill Romanowski forced Hearst’s fumble and Greg Jackson recovered at the Arizona 23.

Two plays later, Peete found a wide-open Reggie Johnson for a 21-yard touchdown pass. It was only Johnson’s third catch of the year, but it was his second touchdown.

Davis’ fourth field goal, a 35-yarder, increased the Arizona lead to 20-14 midway through the third quarter.

The Eagles’ lone score of the first half came when Derrick Witherspoon ran through a wide hole on the right side for an 86-yard return.

Davis said the extra yards made a big difference on his late field goal, considering he was heading into a steady wind.

“You just have to recalculate, because when you’re kicking into the wind, a 40-yard kick is like a 50-yard kick,” said Davis, who had brought up the possibility earlier in the week of his being cut for critical remarks he made about the coaching staff.