What a beating
Eagles 34, Falcons 7
What a beating
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
I mean, what a beating. No other way to characterize it. The Atlanta Falcons, missing their starting quarterback, best running back, a starting receiver and two starting offensive linemen, played like a team missing all of that and more. Unlike the previous two weeks, when the Eagles had to come from behind to beat struggling Chicago and Washington teams against whom they were favored, this one was precise and quite thorough. The final score -- Eagles 34, Falcons 7, with Atlanta scoring on the game's final play, with no time remaining -- was a pretty fair representation of the carnage.
Which brings us to the side issues:
Michael Vick scored his first touchdown as an Eagle on a 5-yard run in the third quarter, and then threw for a toucdown on a 5-yard pass to tight end Brent Celek. The fans here for Vick's homecoming game were entirely psychotic, booing him when he went out to participate in the coin toss before the game, cheering him when he scored the touchdown, and chanting "We Want Vick" before the Eagles gave Donovan McNabb his baseball cap early in the fourth quarter. But there was a complication: Vick left the game and was seen on the sidelines with his right (non-throwing) hand bandaged up. So, we'll see.
Andy Reid's contract extension draws near. ESPN reported before the game that it could come this week. The Eagles released a statement in the fourth quarter: "We're aware of the reports regarding Andy Reid's contract. The organization has acknowledged earlier that it expects to extend his contract at some point in the near future. Beyond that, the organization has no further comment."
Leonard Weaver continues to be a great off-season acquisition. The fullback combined for 100 passing and receiving yards, scoring on a 4-yard pass but also having another, 59-yard catch and run.
Falcons coach Mike Smith decided to go for it on fourth-and-2 near the end of the first half rather than kick a field goal that would have brought his team to within 13-3. It was a pretty bizarre decision, not that it ended up mattering. Oh, and the Eagles stopped them.
Sheldon Brown had the fifth interception of his season, a career high for him, and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown.
McNabb got banged around a little but was very good: 14-for-25 for 238 yards and a touchdown. Atlanta backup Chris Redmon got banged around a lot and was not very good. That is all.
Comment removed.
How can you say McNabb was good? He missed back to back throws that ended a drive and completely bumbled the first scoring chance of the game into a field goal.— maximusud- Comment removed.
- You Kolb fans say the dumbest things sometimes— Eaglesfan804
- McNabb was fine. He wasn't perfect, so I guess you two have something to complain about... This non-stop McNabb bashing surely gets ridiculous. If you don't like him, don't watch.— e4stringer
- You Kolb fans say the dumbest things sometimes— Eaglesfan804
- Glad the coaches gave #7 some confidence-building playing time. Having two all-star QBs on the same roster gives our offense a big boost. Great day for our D men as well, lots of hits and the crucial goal-line stop.— CC19102
- . weaver was a huge key— fman727
- McNabb didn't complete all of his passes, which is the most important stat. Yeah he made good plays and got the win, but those stats aren't that important.— lonewolf 11
- McNabb didn't complete all of his passes, which is the most important stat. Yeah he made good plays and got the win, but those stats aren't that important.— lonewolf 11
- Another good game by NcNabb. The guy just keeps producing. A Super Bowl win away from the Hall of Fame. So what's with Weaver breaking these runs? He just chugs along straight ahead and keeps breaking them. Seems like he just expects the line to do their job and runs straight ahead. He's not running over anyone. It's the line. Why wasn't that happening with Westbrook when he was in?— MikeP
- I don't get the people who complain about losses and find "excuses" for wins.— bobbyd24
Lets see Eagles were favored by 4 1/2-5 1/2 and they win by 27 with an awesome GLS.Brandon? Lang said take Alanta and the points.Seems some of the above took his advice.That was a win the Eagles needed.Cowboys 10-0 -ALL IS GOOD.— HO HUM- On that pass that Celek dropped in the endzone, McNabb should have run. On that run McNabb had that picked up a first down, he should have thrown. See how this works? And I agree, Kolb did an amazing job handing off. Put him in now!— Hemingway
- On that pass that Celek dropped in the endzone, McNabb should have run. On that run McNabb had that picked up a first down, he should have thrown. See how this works? And I agree, Kolb did an amazing job handing off. Put him in now!— Hemingway
