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Reed, Ravens rout fading Eagles

Nov 23, 2008 - 11:31 PM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Ravens may be going to the playoffs. Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles, on the other hand, are imploding.

Ed Reed reeled off an NFL-record 108-yard interception return Sunday as the Ravens crushed the fading Eagles, 36-7.

With the win, Baltimore improved its record to 7-4, one game behind the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3).

"We know we have a shot at the playoffs," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We know we're in the hunt. Our guys understand that."

While the Ravens won for the fifth time in their last six games, the Eagles (5-5-1) have themselves a genuine quarterback controversy.

Philadelphia followed up last week's bizarre tie against Cincinnati with a totally inept offensive performance highlighted by the second-half benching of McNabb.

Eagles coach Andy Reid decided at halftime he'd seen enough of the controversial McNabb, who became a national punch-line this past week after admitting he didn't know there could be a tie in the NFL.

McNabb struggled mightily in the first half Sunday, completing just 8-of-18 passes for just 59 yards and two interceptions.

"We're not all going to sit here and point at Donovan," Reid said. "It's not all about Donovan. (The benching) was something I thought needed to be done at the time."

McNabb's first pick came from Reed, who brought the ball back to the Eagles 6-yard line and set up the Ravens' first touchdown - a 1-yard pass from rookie Joe Flacco to Daniel Wilcox.

McNabb was replaced at halftime by Kevin Kolb, who wasn't much better. In his first substantial NFL action, the 2007 second-round draft selection was 10-for-23 for 73 yards and two interceptions.

With the ball on the Ravens 1, Kolb fired a ball into the end zone that was picked off by Reed, who sprinted an NFL-record 108 yards for a touchdown that increased Baltimore's lead to 29-7.

"Everybody did their job on that play," Reed said. "The quarterback never even saw me come from behind."

Reed broke his own record. In 2004, he had a 106-yard return.

"I don't bait people," Reed said. "It's more of a respect thing. I haven't really been getting many balls thrown to my side."

Reed said he wasn't expecting a change in Philadelphia quarterbacks.

"We didn't know what happened," Reed said. "New quarterback - we just didn't want him to get any rhythm."

McNabb was told by quarterbacks coach Pat Shurmur that he was being yanked.

"My first reaction was 'Wow,'" McNabb said. "But, you go along with it."

The Eagles have a home game on Thanksgiving night against Arizona. Reid didn't say who would start at quarterback, but he did spend some time talking with McNabb after the game.

McNabb didn't want to say what they discussed, but he was critical of his own performance.

"It all starts with me," McNabb said. "I can eliminate a lot of the problems."

Kolb said he wants to start on Thursday, and he's confident he'd play better than he did on Sunday.

"It didn't go quite as I expected," Kolb said. "I made a mistake that basically cost us the game. I know I'm a better quarterback than that."

Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook had a difficult day, finishing with just 39 yards on 14 carries. He tried to downplay any quarterback controversy.

"They're two very good, very competitive quarterbacks," Westbrook said. "It was a tough loss, (an) embarrassing loss. We left our defense out hanging."

Baltimore also scored on a 53-yard pass from Flacco to Mark Clayton, a 1-yard run by Le'Ron McClain and a 44-yard field goal by Matt Stover.

Flacco had only two completions in his first nine attempts, but finished 12-for-26 for 183 yards. He was sacked three times.

"We kept at it and kept it at," Flacco said. "Late in the game we prevailed."

As a youngster growing up in Southern New Jersey, Flacco was an Eagles fan - and a McNabb fan. He didn't expect to see the five-time Pro Bowler replaced.

"I was surprised. I asked him after the game if he was OK," Flacco said. "Our defense put a lot of pressure on him and did a great job causing turnovers."