A couple of teams trying to remain respectable in the NFL met at a neutral site Sunday morning. The Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars travelled across the Atlantic Ocean and endured an eight-hour flight to play in London’s Wembley Stadium before 85,870 onlookers, curiosity seekers and people who otherwise didn’t really have much else to do.

The game won’t be remembered for long by anyone who had to pay an admission but it will go down as one in which both teams were a game under .500 and neither could afford to lose. Although they made a couple of turnovers in the first quarter, the Eagles got it together and held on to defeat the Jaguars 24-18, and even their record at 4-4 as they go into the bye week. For what its worth, the Jaguars lost their fourth in a row and are 3-5.

The game began on the east coast before most football fans had even made it to Sunday brunch or finished reading the Sunday paper. But when quarterback Carson Wentz was hit and lost his sixth fumble on the Eagles’ first drive, a lot of eyes were rolled and sighs were exhaled. He then threw an interception in the end zone later in the quarter and fans – on this side of the pond – seriously considered kneeling down and praying for their star quarterback.

The Eagles needed a win to get back to .500 for the second time this season. So it wasn’t anything new to need a win. They slaughtered the New York Giants two weeks ago to get to 3-3. Then came last week’s crushing loss to the Carolina Panthers and they were one game under the .500 mark again.

The Jaguars aren’t an offensive juggernaut. Quarterback Blake Bortles was their leading rusher with 43 yards on eight carries. He and Wentz both threw for 286 yards but it was Wentz who had the better wide receivers to throw to. Outside of his two miscues, Wentz showed leadership and command of the offense.

With the Jaguars leading 6-3, the Eagles grabbed the lead and wouldn’t let go late in the first half. Wentz connected with tight end Dallas Goedert for a 32-yard touchdown with 29 seconds to go before halftime. They added to the lead when running back Wendell Smallwood caught a screen pass from Wentz and with two blockers in front of him, took it 36 yards untouched for a touchdown with 8:39 to go in the third stanza. The Eagles had a commanding 17-6 lead but we know what the Eagles do with a commanding lead: they end up squandering it.

This was one time when they didn’t squander it. After the Jags got within two points, 17-15, the Eagles went 75 yards on six plays and it culminated with a 5-yard TD pass from Wentz to tight end Zach Ertz with 9:55 to go in regulation. All the Jags could do was get within six with a field goal.

All eyes will be glued to the television Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Washington hosts Atlanta in a pivotal East Division game.  The Redskins lead the division at 5-2 which puts them a game-and-a-half in front of the Birds. A win would put them two games ahead. A loss would leave the Eagles only a game out of first.

The Eagles play five divisional,games in the second half of their season beginning when they host Dallas Nov. 11 on Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m.).