Vick, McCoy Run Eagles Past Rams

The Eagles got knocked down early by a Rams TD run on St. Louis' first play but the Birds had plenty of big runs in them including impressive rushing efforts from RB LeSean McCoy and QB Michael Vick as they 31-13.

McCoy rushed 15 times for 122 yards -- an impressive 8.13 yard per carry average -- including a 49-yard scamper in the fourth quarter to finalize the scoring. It was Shady's fourth 100-yard rushing effort.

Vick ran for an impressive 9.8 yards per carry while picking up 98 yards on the ground. Much to the dismay of fantasy football owners his two kneel downs to end the game dropped him below the bonus-worthy 100-yard plateau.

Vick also lost a fumble and was sacked three times.

He was less impressive through the air completing just 14 of 32 passes for 187 yards (83.7 passer rating) but he still managed two scores -- including a seven-yard pass to McCoy and a six-yard pass to DeSean Jackson.

DeSean made a great case for a new contract by grabbing six passes for 102 yards. He would have had even more yardage if he didn’t drop a bomb that could have possibly gone for a touchdown.

Overall the Eagles were 8 for 12 on third downs.

The Eagles defense, after giving up Steven Jackson’s 47-yard touchdown run on the Rams first play from scrimmage, held the Rams to just two field goals. Jackson would leave after only two carries with a leg injury and Rams QB Sam Bradford left in the fourth to get X-rays on a finger on his throwing hand.

The revamped Philly defensive line looked good on passing downs, sacking Bradford five times -- including two takedowns by recently reacquired DE Jason Babin and a sack by free agent DT Cullen Jenkins.

But the big play for Juan Castillo's D came in the first quarter when DE Juqua Parker rambled 56 yards for his second career TD after fellow veteran DE Daryl Tapp forced Bradford to cough up the ball.

Some other observations from the win:

The much-maligned young Eagles linebacking corps did OK as Jamar Chaney tied safety Jarrad Page for the team lead with six tackles while Moise Fokou (five) and Casey Matthews (four) also chipped in with some tackles.

The Eagles star secondary of Nnamdi Asomugha, Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel held the Rams to 181 yards on 36 attempts. Bradford was held to 75.4 passer rating before leaving the game. They played OK and the biggest play they allowed was a 41-yard pass interference called on Asomugha in the end zone -- that play set up a Josh Brown field goal.

Talking about field goals. Sunday was the debut for K Alex Henery and punter Chaz Henry. Henery -- a rookie who is being asked to fill franchise record-holding kicker David Akers' shoes -- was perfect 4 for 4 on extra points and made his only field goal attempt, a 34-yarder just before halftime. And Henry didn’t really do anything special punting just three times for a 36.3 average. He actually hurt the Birds after their opening drive stalled on their own 15, punting the ball just 39 yards putting the Rams in Eagles territory. On the next play the Rams scored their only TD.

The Eagles take their 1-0 record into Atlanta next week for a showdown with the defending NFC South champion Falcons who lost badly in Chicago 30-12 Sunday.

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