Birds humbled by San Diego

The Eagles took three trips inside the 10-yard line in the first three quarters. Each time, they walked away with field goals. One touchdown could’ve been the difference in the team’s frustrating 31-23 defeat yesterday in San Diego.

That’s two straight losses for the Eagles (5-4), who will battle the Bears (4-5) next Sunday night in Chicago.

“You can’t get in the red zone three times early and not be able to punch it in,” coach Andy Reid yesterday.

In the second quarter, the Eagles were stopped at the 1-yard line and again at the 7-yard line before settling for 18- and 25-yard field goals off the foot of David Akers. They drove to the 7-yard line in the third quarter before an incompletion on 3rd-and-1 forced another 25-yarder.

“We had some opportunities, we just need to capitalize,” quarterback Dono- ­van McNabb said.