The Eagles began their season with a 53-play first half.

They ended it Saturday with a 57-play game, a 26-24 postseason loss to the New Orleans Saints, and their championship-free streak rampaging at 54.

They tried, but they could not coax the most out of LeSean McCoy, the NFL's leading rusher. He was held to 77 yards on 21 carries.

They tried, but they could not coax the most out of DeSean Jackson, who did not have a first-half reception.

They succeeded in defending Drew Brees, both sacking and intercepting him twice. But in the end, they were just not able to do what they had been programmed do to: Outscore opponents when it mattered.

“They played a little more zone than they had coming in,” Chip Kelly said. “But I will give credit to Rob (defensive coordinator Rob Ryan). They had a really good game plan.”

That's NFL postseason football. And it's different from regular-season football.

Check out my column on the Eagles' collision with postseason reality in the Daily Times Sunday and, as always, at delcotimes.com