PHILADELPHIA Eagles focus on defense in finale

Philly still has a chance to get the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Philadelphia's nine-game winning streak put the Eagles in a prime spot to secure home-field advantage, a first-round bye and the NFC East title.
One loss later, and the Eagles are suddenly treating their season-finale at Washington like a playoff game.
The Eagles (11-4) still can clinch their third consecutive NFC East title and secure a first-round bye with a victory over the Redskins on Saturday. However, if they lose and Dallas (10-5) beats New Orleans on Sunday, the Cowboys win the division because of a better division record.
To get the No. 1 seed, Philadelphia needs to beat the Redskins and have St. Louis (12-3) lose at Detroit next Sunday.
"I can't worry about that," coach Andy Reid said Monday, a day after their 31-28 OT loss to San Francisco. "You've got to move on. We're not going to dwell on that."
An Eagles' loss and wins by the Cowboys and Rams will eliminate the Eagles from any guaranteed home games and likely mean up to three playoff games on the road.
"We have some character guys on this football team," Reid said. "They'll step up. There won't be any finger-pointing. They'll rally and be ready this next week."
Defense
The Eagles will have to recharge defensively.
The Eagles were let down against the 49ers by a defense that has been devastated by injury and porous against the run. While they were able to overcome both to turn around an 0-2 start, the Eagles' fortunes finally ran out.
The Eagles allowed more than 150 yards rushing for the fifth straight game and seventh time in the last 10 games. Kevan Barlow had 154 of San Francisco's 209 yards rushing, busting through open holes and shaking off missed tackles.
Barlow, though, was the first running back to gain over 100 yards against the Eagles and win.
The Eagles allowed the most yards rushing at home since 1985 and have surrendered 58 points the last two games.
"We need to do a better job of tackling," Reid said. "It was one of those days where we weren't wrapping up as well as we should have. We're trying to get better at it."
Defensive tackle N.D. Kalu said he missed at least three tackles that a high school player could have made, but couldn't explain why the Eagles have struggled with a basic skill.
"You can't really explain missed tackles," he said. "Technique is big. The ones I missed, after I missed them I knew I should have used more body than arms."
It didn't help that the Eagles lost linebacker Carlos Emmons with a broken leg. Emmons, who was Philadelphia's best linebacker this season with 119 tackles and two sacks, needs surgery and will miss the playoffs.
Little time
Any changes or adjustments will have to come quickly. The Eagles have their third straight short week (Monday-Sunday-Saturday) and Reid plans to shorten practice on Tuesday.
While the loss ended what had been one more of the more amazing streaks in team history, the Eagles realize home-field guarantees little in the postseason. They had it last year and were favored to beat Tampa Bay in the frigid weather. Instead, the Eagles lost their second straight conference title game.
Kalu said it shouldn't matter where they play in the postseason and one loss would not wipe out nearly two months of momentum.
"We were on a great roll and had the momentum going and we felt like we were on top of the world, said Kalu. "We weren't thinking about home field and a bye. When we make it to the playoffs, we still think we are going to win the game, whether we play here or at St. Louis, or at Carolina."
Notes
Ike Reese will get the start for Emmons on Saturday at Washington. ... DE Brandon Whiting (shoulder) was sore, but is expected to play; TE L.J. Smith (back, groin) expects to practice Tuesday; and CB Troy Vincent (hip) could miss his second straight game.