"After the game, I went to my family's house and had a late Thanksgiving," the Eagles running back said yesterday after a joyous holiday weekend that started with perhaps the most celebrated 2-yard carry in franchise history.

Eckel, born in South Philadelphia and a product of Episcopal Academy in Merion, received a standing ovation from the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field after picking up a first down on a third-and-1 play during the Eagles' opening touchdown drive Thursday night.

The ovation probably wouldn't have been quite so loud if the Eagles hadn't spent most of this season failing in similar situations. They had converted just 8 of 20 third-and-1 situations and were 2 for 10 in their last five games.

"We had another little Thanksgiving [on Friday], so it's a special time of year and you put the Football thing on top of it and it has been a lot of fun," Eckel said.

"I talked to everybody about it a lot. It never gets old. It was just great that people were so excited about Football. It was great to see the whole city rally around us."

For Eckel, it was a moment he had dreamed about as a child.

"Definitely, I grew up an Eagles fan my whole life," he said. "It just goes to show if you keep at it and keep trying, things can work out. In the same light, it's just an honor to play in the NFL . . . but for it to fall into place and have it be with the Philadelphia Eagles , that really is a special thing and I don't take it for granted."

Eckel, who signed with the Eagles in late October after being released by New England at the end of training camp, said he did not know he would get the Football in the first short-yardage situation of the night. It was definitely strange to see him lined up in the backfield with fullback Dan Klecko.

"I knew I had to be ready," Eckel said. ". . . And sure enough, the first opportunity came pretty early. It was easy to run behind that offensive line. Everybody blocked so well that whole day. It was special to be on the field in an Eagles uniform and to have that be my first play."

Eckel got five more chances to run the Football in the fourth quarter, and he picked up 22 yards to finish off the 48-20 rout of Arizona.

"Anytime I was on the field, I was doing what I was supposed to do and what I was asked to do," he said. "Third and 1 is a crucial situation in game, but if I can do my job every time I'm on the field, then better yet."

Extra points. The Eagles will return to work today with a short practice at the NovaCare Complex. They will likely announce a replacement for guard Max Jean-Gilles, who will be placed on injured reserve because of the fractured ankle he suffered late in the first half Thursday.

Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.