EAGLES NEWS

The Eagles began their regular season this afternoon in Carolina against the Panthers. It was from beginning to end a surprisingly impressive performance by the Birds. The defense in particular was dominant all afternoon. They forced 7 turnovers, sacked the Panther quarterbacks 5 times, and held the Panthers to under 200 yds passing and under 100 yds rushing. It just seemed like everything the Eagles threw at Carolina defensively worked too perfection. Offensively the Birds actually didn't do that much, but they didn't have to, as Victor Abiamiri returned a fumble for a TD and Desean Jackson returned a punt 85 yards for a TD to give the Eagles an early lead. When the Eagles offense did get on the field though it played pretty well, especially the running game which amassed 185 yards and 2 TDs. Donovan Mcnabb himself, didn't do much in this one completing 10 of his 18 passes for just 79 yards and 2 TDs, mostly because the Eagles field position was so good all afternoon. Early on things didn't look good as Carolina drove right down the field and into the end zone for a quick 7-0 lead. It was all Eagles from there. In the 1st quarter David Akers kicked a 49 yd field goal. In the 2nd quarter Abiamiri and Jackon each produced their scores, and Mcnabb fired touchdown passes to Brent Celek and Brian Westbrook late in the first half to give the Eagles a 31-10 halftime lead. Midway through the 3rd quarter Mcnabb put Carolina away for good with a 3yd TD run to push the lead to 38-10 and that's how it ended. Unfortunately, Mcnabb fractured his rib on the play, while fighting to get in the end zone and is now listed as questionable for the Eagles next game next weekend. With no 3rd string QB currently on the roster, the Eagles next week will have no one, unless they bring someone else in, to backup Kevin Kolb should he get the call to duty. So hopefully Mcnabb will be alright to play next week or the Birds will be in a whole host of trouble.