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McNabb, Eagles get off to flying start with rout of Rams

Sep 7, 2008 - 11:30 PM Vince DiGregorio PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Without their top two wide receivers, Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles' offense still managed to function efficiently.

McNabb completed 21 of 33 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns - one of them a 90-yarder to Hank Baskett - to lead the Eagles to a convincing 38-3 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday in the season opener for both teams.

With Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown both out due to injuries, Philadelphia had three other wideouts step up and post at least 100 yards receiving - Baskett (102), Greg Lewis (104) and rookie DeSean Jackson (106).

"We called plays for each and every one of those guys," McNabb said. "They made plays for us throughout the whole game."

Jackson led the Eagles with six receptions followed by Lewis with five.

"We have been working real hard with Donovan to get that chemistry together," Jackson said. "It was a great opportunity for me with the two starters down. I just stepped in and did what I needed to do to help this football team. I felt very confident out there. I was ready."

It was the first time since December 18, 1960 that the Eagles had three 100-yard receivers in a game.

"I thought all the way around, the receivers played well," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "They were aggressive. This was a big challenge for them, because (the Rams) like to bang you around. They tried banging us around and we were able to get decent releases on them."

McNabb took advantage of a porous Rams pass defense and went 10-of-12 during Philadelphia's first two possessions, both of which resulted in touchdowns. He tossed a 1-yard shovel pass to Brian Westbrook for the first TD before finding L.J. Smith in the back of the end zone for a 5-yard scoring strike that gave the Eagles a 14-0 lead.

"I think it was important to set the tone early," McNabb said. "In previous years, we weren't able to do that. To capitalize on those touchdowns, obviously, does well for the confidence factor."

McNabb quelled any concerns about the offense on the Eagles' second play from scrimmage when he hooked up with Jackson for a 47-yard completion. An additional 15 yards were tacked on following a personal foul penalty giving Philadelphia the ball on the St. Louis 18-yard line.

"You've got to be aggressive," McNabb said. "We're gonna have to do that this year. We're gonna have to try to keep defenses on their heels, wondering what we're gonna do."

While Philadelphia moved the ball fairly easily, St. Louis was unable to generate any offense, especially in the first half. The Rams' biggest gain came on a controversial 26-yard pass interference penalty to Eagles CB Lito Sheppard.

On the next play, Steven Jackson caught a 24-yard pass from Marc Bulger but paid dearly after being drilled by Eagles CB Sheldon Brown with such force that Jackson's helmet was knocked off. Amazingly, Jackson bounced back up quickly.

"I had an opportunity to set the tempo," Brown said. "I don't know (how Jackson got up) to be honest."

"I took a good hit and I know I can take it," Jackson said. "I was able to play the whole game."

Late in the second quarter, McNabb found Baskett all alone streaking down the left sideline for a 90-yard TD pass and a 21-0 advantage at the half.

"It was a double move, the (defense) bit on it and Donovan did what he does out there," Baskett said. "His touch and accuracy are great. I would say he's back to Pro Bowl Donovan."

In the first half, Philadelphia had just seven more plays from scrimmage than St. Louis, but had a whopping 331-87 advantage in net yards.

Tony Hunt scored on a 1-yard run and Westbrook added a 6-yard scoring scamper sandwiched around a 23-yard field goal by David Akers in the second half to make it, 38-0, before Josh Brown connected on a 46-yard FG to break the shutout.

Philadelphia also received contributions from its defense - which recorded four sacks - and special teams as punter Sav Rocca twice pinned St. Louis at its own 2-yard line. Jackson helped set up Akers' FG with a 60-yard punt return.

"(Philadelphia) dominated us in all three phases today," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. "I give them all the credit in the world and we've got a lot of things to correct and improve upon."

Kevin Kolb came on for McNabb with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and went 5-of-6 for 53 yards and helped the Eagles maintain possession to run out the clock. Overall, Philadelphia outgained St. Louis in yardage by a 522-166 margin.

Bulger finished 14-of-26 for 158 passing yards as the Rams failed to convert a single third-down opportunity in the game, going 0-for-11, while the Eagles went 8-for-14. St. Louis punter Donnie Jones was forced to punt 10 times.

"I think going 0-for-11 is unacceptable," Bulger said. "One good thing is that we have a great bunch of guys around the locker room and we will not be pointing fingers at anyone."