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Eagles slip past Jets to remain perfect after bye week

Oct 14, 2007 - 9:43 PM By Doug Mittler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- A week off again worked wonders for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Donovan McNabb threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Curtis and cornerback Sheldon Brown broke up a 4th-and-1 pass from the 4-yard line to Laveranues Coles with 3:32 left as the Eagles continued their domination of the New York Jets with a 16-9 victory on Sunday.

The Eagles (2-3), who lost to the New York Giants here two weeks ago, improved to 9-0 after a bye under coach Andy Reid.

The extra time allowed the Eagles to heal some wounds on offense, with running back Brian Westbrook and left tackle William Thomas returning from injuries.

"It's good to get the injured players back," Reid said. "The guys really pushed themselves this week."

That opened up the offense for McNabb, who completed 22-of-35 passes for 278 yards.

"We played with a whole lot of confidence," McNabb said. "It was something we talked about before the bye week and after we got back."

Westbrook carried 20 times for 120 yards and caught six passes for 36 yards.

David Akers kicked three field goals to account for the other Philadelphia points.

The Jets (1-5) wore their original navy and gold uniforms worn by the Titans from 1960 to 1962. Whatever the colors, the Jets again were unable to beat the Eagles, falling to 0-8 against them since joining the NFL.

"It's very tough to swallow," Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma said of the slow start. "I thought we did a lot of good things during the week."

Quarterback Chad Pennington had another long afternoon, which will only increase the calls that he be benched in favor of Kellen Clemens.

"No," Jets coach Eric Mangini said when asked if there were plans for an immediate change. "It comes down to a full group."

Pennington was 11-of-28 for 128 yards and an interception to go along with the incompletion to Coles on the Jets' final drive.

"As a quarterback, you understand that when you lose it comes on your shoulders first, whether right, wrong or indifferent," Pennington said.

The Jets failed to get a first down on a quarterback sneak on 3rd-and-1 from the 4-yard line and Pennington's fade pass to Coles was broken up by Brown.

"It wasn't surprised with the (call)," said Brown, who had an interception earlier in the game. "I love it when they throw to me. It gives me the chance to make plays."

Brown appeared to deflect the ball slightly.

"It's a play I should have made made," Coles said.

The Jets' offense consisted of three field goals by Mike Nugent. New York had an excellent chance to cut into the lead, when an interception by cornerback Hank Poteat early in the fourth quarter gave New York the ball at the Eagles 17.

But the Jets settled for a 30-yard field goal by Nugent that cut the deficit to 16-9.

Thomas Jones carried 24 times for 130 yards for New York, which has lost three straight games for the first time under second-year coach Mangini.

"It makes you angry, it makes you frustrated because of the amount of work you put in," Mangini said.

The Jets entered the game ranked 29th in rushing, but Jones had runs of 36 and 11 yards on the first two plays from scrimmage, leading to a 30-yard field goal by Nugent.

The Eagles countered moments later on a 75-yard touchdown pass from McNabb to Curtis, who evaded a tackle by Poteat on a slant pattern before racing downfield for his fourth TD of the season.

Curtis, who caught three TD passes against Detroit on September 23, had five receptions for 121 yards.

Akers kicked a 22-yard field goal in the opening minute of the second quarter to increase the lead to 10-3. Leon Washington had a 51-yard return on the ensuing kickoff, leading to a 21-yarder by Nugent.

Akers is a three-time Pro Bowler, but his struggles at Giants Stadium continued, as he was wide right on a pair of 41-yard attempts in the second quarter. Akers has made just 8-of-16 field goal attempts at the Meadowlands.

"I don't put much stock in the fact that when I come here, I automatically miss," Akers said.

Kicking at the other end of the field, Akers booted field goals of 31 and 25 yards in the third quarter to increase the lead to 16-6.

Nugent missed from 44 yards in the first quarter.