PHILADELPHIA — Cornerbacks Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams both took a lot of heat this week after the defense’s fourth-quarter collapse in the Philadelphia Eagles’ closer-than-it-should-be, 34-28 win over the St. Louis Rams.

The Eagles were up 34-7 with two minutes left in the game when the Rams scored three straight times and came within 48 yards of another winning touchdown.

Rams quarterback Austin Davis completed 14 of his last 18 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns in the final 17 minutes. Both Fletcher and Williams gave up fourth-quarter touchdowns.

But Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis came to the defense of his corners. While he acknowledged that Fletcher and Williams made mistakes in the fourth quarter, he said there was plenty of blame to go around. And he made it clear that he is not considering benching either one of them.

“I have complete confidence in our corners, I really do,” Davis said. “I know everybody wants to pin it on them. But I’m telling you, it’s not where the issue is all the time.

“If there’s a change to be made, I promise you I’ll make it. But right now, it’s not time. There’s not a move to make.”

Many have been clamoring for the Eagles’ 5-foot-9 1/2-inch nickel corner, Brandon Boykin, to replace Fletcher or Williams on the outside. But Davis feels strongly that he needs bigger, more physical corners on the outside to deal with the league’s bigger, more physical wide receivers. Williams is 6-1. Fletcher is a little over 6 feet.

The Eagles have had their problems against the pass in the first five games. They have given up a league-worst 13 touchdown passes already and 274.2 passing yards per game, which is the fourth most in the league.

On Sunday night, they’re facing white-hot Eli Manning, who has thrown eight touchdown passes and just one interception in the Giants’ last three games, all wins.

“We need to make plays,” Williams said. “We’re not playing against a bunch of slaps out there. (Getting beat) is something you have to deal with. Roll with the punches and move on to the next play.”

–Running back LeSean McCoy said he had no problem with being taken out and replaced with Darren Sproles late in Sunday’s game. With the Eagles clinging to a six-point lead, McCoy ran the ball on back-to-back plays — for 3- and 4-yard gains, then was replaced for the rest of the possession by Sproles.

On his first carry on third-and-3, Sproles broke free for 25 yards and a first down.

“I’m OK with it,” said McCoy, who won the league rushing title last season, but is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry this season. “He (running backs coach Duce Staley) must’ve felt I was tired or whatever the case was. Duce is one of the guys I have tremendous confidence and trust in. Whatever he calls or wants to do, I’m totally fine with it.”

NOTES: C Jason Kelce will miss his third straight game as he recovers from surgery to repair a sports hernia. … WR Brad Smith has been declared out of Sunday’s game against the Giants with a groin injury. … Among those who did not practice Wednesday are LBs Mychal Kendricks (calf) and DeMeco Ryans (groin) and RB/KR Chris Polk (hamstring). WR Josh Huff, activated last week, will get some action on returns if Polk can’t go.