NFL: McNabb lifts Eagles past Vikings

McNabb lifts Eagles past Vikings


Donovan McNabb threw for 333 yards and a touchdown to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a 23-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings. McNabb showed more mobility then he has all season, completing 23-of-36 passes while buying time in the pocket with his legs. Brian Westbrook rushed for a touchdown and caught a pass for a score for the Eagles (3-4).

"Their defense is one of the tougher defenses you'll face with that front. I was proud of the offensive line for the job they did," said Eagles coach Andy Reid. "Donovan had a great day today and Reggie Brown had a lot of catches, I believe it was a career day for him."

Adrian Peterson ran for 70 yards on 20 carries for the Vikings (2-5), who netted just 256 total yards. Kelly Holcomb struggled, completing only 7-of-16 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown before exiting with a neck injury in the third quarter. Brooks Bollinger entered and went 7-of-10 for 94 yards.

The Vikings already were without starter Tarvaris Jackson, who was inactive and listed as the third quarterback after suffering a hand injury against Detroit last week.

After the Vikings cut the lead to 20-16 on a 48-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell in the fourth quarter, McNabb played his best football off the season.

McNabb completed 4-of-7 passes for 62 yards, including a 31-yard flea-flicker to Kevin Curtis, setting up a David Akers 27-yard field goal with 5:09 to play.

Philadelphia's defense then forced a three-and-out and Minnesota was forced to punt with just 3:20 remaining. The Eagles then ran out all but the final 15 seconds.

"In all these games it seems like were right in them," said Vikings linebacker Ben Leber. "I don't think that's the most frustrating part. It would be one thing if we were being blown out and getting dominated but we're not. It's a positive thing to know we're a just a few plays away from having a different record."

Minnesota struck first when Holcomb connected with Visanthe Shiancoe for a nine-yard touchdown pass, capping an 11-play, 79-yard drive in the first quarter.

The Vikings then tried an onside kick and recovered, but could not take advantage. Holcomb was sacked for a nine-yard loss on the first play and Minnesota was forced to punt, leading to Philadelphia's first score.

Akers hit a 20-yard field goal with less than a minute remaining in the first and the Eagles started to dominate from there.

McNabb tossed a shovel pass to Westbrook for a six-yard touchdown early in the second quarter for a 10-7 lead.

On their next possession the Eagles took just four plays to march 49 yards and Westbrook's one yard touchdown plunge put the Eagles ahead 17-7 with just over two minutes left before the half.

Minnesota, however, did pull within one score when Longwell drilled a 39-yard field goal with less than a minute to go in the half.

In the third quarter, Akers made a 27-yard field goal with just under 11 minutes to play in the frame to culminate a six-play, 51-yard drive.

The Vikings, though, stayed close with a methodical 11-play, 55-yard march to set up a Longwell 32-yarder with 1:42 left in the quarter.

Game Notes

McNabb improved to 4-0 in his career against the Vikings...Philadelphia's Reggie Brown caught eight passes for 105 yards...Philadelphia has won six of the past seven meetings, including the 2004 divisional playoff...Reid got the better of longtime friend Brad Childress, the Vikings head coach, in their first head-to-head matchup. Childress served as an assistant under Reid from 1999 through 2005, including the final four seasons as offensive coordinator and occasional play-caller.

[www.keyetv.com]