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McNabb lifts Eagles in finale

Dec 30, 2007 - 11:46 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Now the waiting begins for Donovan McNabb.

Playing what may have been his final game as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, McNabb passed for 345 yards and a touchdown in a 17-9 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Despite leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance and four NFC championship games and more postseason wins (seven) than any quarterback in franchise history, McNabb's future has been in doubt since the club drafted Kevin Kolb in the second round of April's draft.

"This is going to be an important offseason for us, no matter how you look at it," McNabb said. "We've got to focus on a lot of different things. Obviously, to bring pieces in to help us out for next year and years to come."

More fuel to the quarterback situation was added prior to the game when Kolb was listed as the backup to McNabb instead of A.J. Feeley.

"I talked to all of the quarterbacks about it, so it wasn't a big secret," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "I just didn't want (the media) making a big stink about it and I didn't have to answer all of your questions."

McNabb also had to deal with numerous injuries and constant criticism from the club's rabid fan base. The five-time Pro Bowler, who was booed loudly when he was selected second overall by the Eagles in the 1999 draft, has said he would like to finish his career in Philadelphia.

"I love being here," McNabb reiterated after the game. "I love the passion of the fans. I love playing for the fans. I just try to provide excitement and making big plays for them and hearing the crowd roar.

"I've always loved being here and look forward to being here more."

Cheered and booed at times on a dreary afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field, McNabb did author a positive ending to a disappointing campaign for the Eagles (8-8), who missed the playoffs a season after winning the NFC East.

"We were able to overcome adversity, (but) just not in time enough to get ourselves in position to make the playoffs," McNabb said. "I thought we missed a lot of opportunities throughout the season and we kind of paid for it. That's why we're sitting here right now and the season being over with."

McNabb consistently moved the offense, completing 29-of-41 passes, including a 2-yard TD toss to rookie tight end Brent Celek in the first quarter.

In his last four games since returning from an ankle and thumb injury that sidelined him for two contests, McNabb threw for six touchdowns and an interception, a major reason why the Eagles won their last three games.

"What we did these last three weeks was something positive and hopefully we can take it throughout the offseason," McNabb said. "These last three weeks was kind of the way we play football."

Eagles Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook ended his season by setting franchise records for catches (90) and total yards (2,104) from scrimmage in a season.

"It feels good to combine those (records) with a win when it's the last few games of the season," Westbrook said. "(If) I told you that I could have a 2,000-yard season, I would definitely have been shocked to see that I had all those yards and my team didn't do well."

Kevin Curtis also recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown for a second straight week for the Eagles, who went just 3-5 at home this season.

"I can't really remember recovering any fumbles in my life before these (two)," Curtis said. "They have been there, so I guess I was in the right places in the right times."

While the Eagles built some momentum for next season, the Bills (7-9) finished a a trying campaign by losing their last three games.

"We end up kicking three field goals," Bills coach Dick Jauron said. "It's been a long year in that regard. We just don't score enough points to win games, particularly against teams as good as the Eagles."

The Bills' season got off to a rocky start when tight end Kevin Everett suffered a near-fatal spinal cord injury in the season opener against Denver. But the Bills rebounded from that injury and an 0-3 start to remain in playoff contention until their season-ending losing streak.

"The fact that Kevin continually improved was a big positive for us," Jauron said. "Clearly, when Kevin went down and the immediate aftermath of that injury, it was painful for everybody. It wasn't an easy thing to work through."

One of the major positives for Buffalo this season was rookie running back Marshawn Lynch, who surpassed 1,000 yards rushing. He carried 22 times for 105 yards, his third 100-yard game of the season.

The Bills also may have found their quarterback of the future in rookie Trent Edwards, who unseated J.P. Losman during the season. But Edwards had little success against a banged-up Eagles defense, completing 16-of-33 passes for 133 yards.

"That defense they played all day was pretty aggressive," Edwards said. "They were playing downhill. The linebackers were flying to the ball. Their secondary was giving a lot of different coverages."