KRTembed align=”left” height=”240″ src=”http://broadcast.drexel.edu:8080/ramgen/Cabrini/Fall-04/eagles.rm” type=”audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin” width=”320″ controls=”ImageWindow” autostart=”true”>In a game that saw the NFL’s leading receiver held to only four catches for 61 yards, Terrell Owens’ teammates were able to pick up the slack. Brian Westbrook rushed for 74 yards and scored twice as the Eagles clinched a weak NFC East in only 11 games.
The Eagles (10-1) were in a defensive battle with the New York Giants for much of the first half on Sunday. Donovan Mcnabb’s four-yard scamper was the only touchdown in the first half, as the eagles held a 7-6 lead after 30 minutes. Following a pair of field goals that extended the Eagle lead early in the third quarter, the aforementioned Brian Westbrook took over. Westbrook, a Villanova product, scored on a one-yard touchdown run, then on a 34-yard screen pass from Donovan Mcnabb.
The Giants were unable to answer the call as young Eli Manning struggled after showing signs of promise in the first half. The Eagles closed out the game, winning by a convincing score of 27-6. Manning, who was making only his second NFL start, completed only six of his 21 pass attempts for 148 yards and threw two interceptions. The much-criticized Eagles defense continued to make strides in the right direction, but the road ahead isn’t easy.
They return home next week to face a red-hot Green Bay Packers team, led by legendary quarterback Brett Favre. The Eagles will need more production from Terrell Owens next week if they expect to upend the Packers, who have won six straight after starting 1-4.
