by Brian on September 7, 2008 at 4:03PM
Number 5 is alive. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)The Eagles came in with a huge question mark at the wide receiver position. The left with three receivers over 100 yards receiving and more importantly, a 38-3 win.

After the jump I'll go through my quarter-by-quarter game notes, and we'll talk big picture about this big win for the Birds.
First Quarter

  • The Eagles go deep on the second play of the game. McNabb puts the ball in a tight spot, DeSean Jackson makes an unbelievable catch against tight coverage. Good start.
  • 80-yard TD drive to open the season.
  • I have no idea how the Rams were fooled by that shovel pass to Westbrook. As soon as the Eagles shifted to the pro formation that close to the goal line you had to know what was coming.
  • Avant with two catches to convert on 3rd down, including a 31-yarder. Looks like he's feeling comfortable in the system. Where is the St. Lou defense? Their DBs look lost out there.
Second Quarter

  • On 3rd and 6 the Eagles take another deep shot to DeSean. It falls incomplete, but I like the aggression. He beat his man, the throw was off.
  • Greg Lewis gets in the mix with a 52-yard reception.
  • The offense sputters, but Quintin Demps makes beautiful plays on consecutive punts, pinning the Rams on the 2 yard line both times.
  • Sheldon Brown separated Stephen Jackson from his helmet on a vicious hit over the middle. Somehow, Jackson held on for the catch, though.
  • On 3rd and 8 from the 10 the Eagles run play action, on the outside Baskett runs a stop and go, 90-yard TD!
Third Quarter

  • Westbrook fumbles on consecutive plays, neither one is lost. Lucky break.
  • DeSean Jackson finally breaks one on his 9th punt return of the day, 60 yards all the way to the 6.
  • The Eagles blow the field position from DeSean's return. Settle for a FG.
Fourth Quarter

  • Westbrook basically puts the game away with his legs. They grind out a drive, finishing it with a Westbrook TD. 38-0.
  • The Rams spoil the shutout with a long field goal after their best drive of the day.
  • Kevin Kolb and the rest of the backups take the field with 8:55 left. Kolb goes 5/6 for 53 yards and finishes the game with three kneel downs in the red zone.
Final Thoughts

  • McNabb looked sharp. I counted 5 poorly-thrown passes out of 33. I also only saw one drop which is a great sign, especially considering the health issues at WR.
  • The D was stifling, especially the LBs. Stewart Bradley was all over the field (9 tackles, 1 sack). This game really wouldn've been ugly if the Eagles didn't drop 4 picks.
  • Special teams was night and day better than last season. I mentioned Demps' work on punt coverage earlier, and DeSean had 97 yards on punt returns.
Player of The Game (offense): Donovan McNabb - 21/33, 361 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Player of The Game (defense): Stewart Bradley
Player of The Game (special teams): DeSean Jackson/Q. Demps



Also on the Network:
√ Howry: Soon Is Now [El Lefty Malo]
√ A Tall Order [Depressed Fan]
√ Hazy Sabes of Winter [El Lefty Malo]
√ Holding Pattern [C70 At The Bat]




[September 7, 2008 7:40 PM]  |  link  |  reply
gdog said

first things first. Do any Eagles fans read this blog ? Seems to be a lot of Yankees and Sixer fans...I love those teams too but dammit its football season !
Impressive win by the Eagles. LJ Smith REALLY helped open up the passing game. DeSean Jackson made some really nice grabs in traffic. I think the wideouts were great...but Mcnabb made all the right reads too. and the O line was awesome...rams never even got a hand on Mcnabb. Defense was solid and quick.
I am super psyched for next Monday nights game...could be a NFC championship game preview.

[September 8, 2008 2:03 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to gdog

The best thing about McNabb's game today was that he didn't needlessly check down. He trusted the guys on the outside (especially Jackson) to beat a corner in tight coverage, and the WRs came through. Having a healthy L.J. Smith really opens things up for this offense.

Still, I'm a little worried that they were basically playing another preseason game today. St. Louis looked horrible, like they didn't even care. Next week will be the real test. I'm wondering how Asante is going to handle T.O. He did a great job on Holt today, and probably should've had 2 or 3 picks.

[September 7, 2008 11:52 PM]  |  link  |  reply
The GM said

Hank Baskett! I sat McNabb on my team today!

[September 8, 2008 1:59 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to The GM

Ouch. I wouldn't rush out to get Basket, but DeSean Jackson is worth starting in any league.

[September 8, 2008 12:33 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Bruce Paine said

That Rams team has been on a steady decline since they got stomped by Atlanta in the Playoffs in 04. I really thought they would be a little better this year, guess not. Philly really looked like they were having fun. Everything was working, everything happening on time. Just a smooth Sunday afternoon in Philly

[September 8, 2008 1:48 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to Bruce Paine

The Birds looked good, but I can't help thinking this game had more to do with a terrible St. Louis team. They put zero pressure on McNabb, didn't seem to have any kind of game plan on offense, and generally seemed disinterested in the game. I think it's going to be a long season for Rams' fans.