The Eagles romped the Panthers, 38-10 on Sunday in a game that featured good, bad and ugly performances.
The Good: The Birds defense forced seven turnovers and DeSean Jackson returned a punt for a score.
The Ugly: Carolina’s Jake Delhomme’s five turnovers.
We will get to the Birds defensive show but the bigger story coming out of the game was McNabb’s injury.
D-Mac left the game after scoring the Birds final touchdown with 6:59 left in the third quarter.
He broke a rib on the play and could miss two to four weeks. Be Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid left open the possibility that McNabb could go next week.
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No. 5 went down in the end zone after getting hit by at least three Panthers as he drove the ball in for the score. He walked off the field on his power after remaining on the ground for some time. He wouldn’t return as Kevin Kolb took over under center.
Before he left the game, McNabb went 10 for 18 for 79 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception. He also showed some vintage rushing skills -- tucking the ball four times for 27 yards and a score.
McNabb and the Birds didn’t need to do that much offensively Sunday because the defense and special teams both scored.
The Birds defense would only allow a field goal after letting the Panthers to score after a long opening drive.
The defense picked off five passes -- including two by defensive back Sheldon Brown. They also gathered in two Panthers’ fumbles and sacked Panthers’ QBs five times.
Carolina starting QB Jake Delhomme was pulled after throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble that was returned for a score by Birds’ end Victor Abiamiri. The TD put Philly up 10-7 early in the second quarter.
The Birds went up 17-7 with 10:57 remaining in the first half after DeSean Jackson returned a punt 85-yards for the score. About a minute later the Birds’ scored again on McNabb’s nine-yard pass to tight end Brent Celek.
The Celek TD was set up by Brown’s second pick of Delhomme.
Jackson got some heat on the sideline after Celek’s TD because "Action" Jackson was penalized 15 yards for his role in the end zone celebration. A small price to pay for having fun -- right?
But the fun was overshadowed by McNabb going down and the Eagles options now at QB.
Kolb underwhelmed after he took the helm. He went 7 for 11 for 23 yards passing and lost a fumble in relief of McNabb.
Next up for the Birds will be the New Orleans Saints who beatdown the lowly Lions 45-27 in their opener.
The Eagles could struggle against the Saints without McNabb leading the way.
