CHICAGO - The Eagles entered last night's sort-of-a-must-win game against the Bears with well-documented red-zone problems.

They were a respectable 12th in the league in total offense, but a grim 22nd when it came to converting trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line into touchdowns (11-for-23).

They were 7-for-10 in the red zone in their five wins this season, but a wretched 4-for-13 in their four losses, including 2-for-5 in last week's eight-point loss to the Chargers.

So, when an impressive first-possession drive stalled at the Chicago 7-yard line and the Eagles had to settle for David Akers' 20th field goal of the season, you wondered whether loss No. 5 was in its embryonic stage.

But on a night when the Eagles turned the ball over three times, committed another bushelful of penalties and converted just four of their first 11 third-down chances, they managed to maximize their other two red-zone opportunities and pull out a 24-20 come-from-behind win over the Bears.

Trailing 20-17, rookie LeSean McCoy scored on a 10-yard run around the left end with 5 minutes, 31 seconds left in the game to give the Eagles the lead for good.

Facing a third-and-6 at the Chicago 21 a play earlier, it looked as if this game might be headed for overtime. But then Donovan McNabb connected with DeSean Jackson on a 10-yard slant pass for a first down.

"We just had to sustain drives, and today we were able to do that," McNabb said. "We kept the chains moving. Offensive line did a great job of opening holes for the run game and giving me time in the pass game."

McNabb threw two touchdown passes, including one on the Eagles' second red-zone possession. On a second-and-10 at the Chicago 13, he hit wide receiver Jason Avant with a screen pass that Avant took in for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 10-0 lead at the time.

"It was a hard-fought game," coach Andy Reid said. "We were able to come back after a fast start and a slow middle and finish strong."

McNabb, who completed 23 of 32 passes for 244 yards, was 1-for-3 in the red zone, with the touchdown pass to Avant his only completion inside the Chicago 20.

For the season, he's just 12-for-27 in the red zone, but eight of those 12 completions have been for touchdowns. Avant and tight end Brent Celek have been the main red-zone targets for McNabb and Kevin Kolb (9-for-19), who started two games earlier this season after McNabb fractured a rib.

Celek has eight red-zone receptions, including four touchdowns. Avant has seven, including two touchdowns. Interestingly, Jackson, who is tied with Celek in touchdown receptions with five, does not have a red-zone catch yet this season.

By the numbers

 

** Last night's win ended an eight-game Sunday-night losing streak for the Eagles.

** Since 2000, the Eagles are 54-25-1 in November and December.

** With last night's 24-20, the Eagles are 14-4 against the NFC North under Andy Reid.

** The Eagles won the time-of-possession battle for just the third time this season and the first time since Week 3.

** The Eagles are 6-0 this year in games in which they've led at the half. Since 2000, they are 79-11 when they've led at halftime.