Lawless
All About Brad!
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Registered: Jun 2003
Local time: 12:05 AM
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By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Donovan McNabb dropped back on the first play of the game, looked left, then right, and let the ball fly into the opponents' hands.
It was a rare mistake, and McNabb overcame his first interception in six games to lead the Philadelphia Eagles (news) to their seventh consecutive victory, 25-16 over the Carolina Panthers (news) on Sunday.
The win kept the Eagles (9-3) tied with St. Louis for the best record in the NFC and stalled Carolina's (8-4) attempt to wrap up the NFC South.
Although Philadelphia continued its turnaround from an 0-2 start — its seven straight victories represent its best single-season streak since 1980 — the Eagles did it without any flash.
They committed two turnovers, snapping their streak of four consecutive games without a giveaway. McNabb ended his run of 127 attempts without an interception when Mike Rucker picked him off on the first play.
Brian Westbrook fumbled away a punt return and the Eagles also failed on a 2-point conversion try.
But it didn't matter as David Akers kicked four field goals, Duce Staley scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and McNabb threw a 10-yard TD pass to James Thrash to lock up the win.
Philadelphia could also thank Carolina and its numerous miscues.
John Kasay, who came into the game 24-of-27 on field goals this season, missed three — and an extra point.
The Panthers turned over the ball on downs at the end of the first half on the Eagles 8-yard line when they went for it on fourth-and-1 rather then give Kasay another chance.
And Jake Delhomme fumbled on a fourth-quarter sack at the Carolina 11. McNabb put the Eagles ahead 22-10 two plays later when he hooked up with Thrash, who used a second-effort dive to get into the end zone.
The Panthers still had opportunities, though.
Delhomme threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Muhsin Muhammad, and although Kasay missed the extra point, it cut the Eagles' lead to 22-16 with 6:42 to play.
Carolina held on defense, but Delhomme threw two incompletions and Steve Smith was called for offensive pass interference to force the Panthers to punt.
They still had one last chance to get the ball back, needing to hold on third-and-8 at the Eagles 45. But McNabb eluded several defenders in a collapsing pocket to launch a 29-yard completion to Chad Lewis that led to Akers' 29-yard field goal with 25 seconds to play.
Akers also made field goals of 35, 48, and 38 yards.
Kasay made a 20-yarder to put Carolina up 3-0 after McNabb's interception, but missed on attempts of 32, 38 and 49 yards.
McNabb finished 18-of-26 for 182 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Delhomme went 19-of-30 for 216 yards and two touchdowns. He threw a 24-yard TD pass to Smith in the third quarter.
Stephen Davis ran for 115 yards, the seventh straight game the Eagles have given up 100 or more yards.
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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11-30-2003 10:49 PM
