Monday, November 17, 2003
NFC roundup
Eagles sink reeling Giants
The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA - Donovan McNabb silenced his critics. Jim Fassel gave his detractors more reasons to complain.
McNabb threw for 314 yards and two touchdowns, and Brian Westbrook caught two TD passes and ran for a score, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their fifth straight victory, 28-10 over the New York Giants Sunday.
"From where we were after two games, everybody burning us up and trying to get us out of town, to where we are now is pretty exciting," McNabb said.
The Eagles (7-3) have won seven of eight after opening the season with two losses at home. The Giants (4-6) have lost two in a row, including an embarrassing 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week that left fans chanting "Fire Fassel."
"We're not playing well. I'm responsible," Fassel said. "We can't seem to overcome some things."
McNabb completed 24-of-30 passes for his fourth straight solid effort and fifth career 300-yard performance.
Tiki Barber had 111 yards rushing and no fumbles, but failed to get in the end zone on a crucial fourth-and-goal at Philadelphia's 1 late in the second quarter.
Consecutive losses have dampened the Giants' playoff hopes and put Fassel's job in jeopardy.
Fassel's play-calling certainly will be questioned after this loss.
Down 14-3 late in the second quarter, the Giants faced a second-and-30 at their 23. Barber ran 15 yards, then Kerry Collins hit David Tyree on a 48-yard pass for a first down.
After Barber ran 13 yards to the Eagles' 1, the Giants couldn't get in. Dorsey Levens ran for no gain on first down, Collins threw an incomplete pass and Levens again ran for no gain.
On fourth down, Barber took a pitch and ran outside, but linebacker Carlos Emmons broke through to stop Barber and safety Brian Dawkins wrapped him up for a 2-yard loss.
The Giants thoroughly dominated the Eagles a month ago, but Westbrook returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown with 1:16 left to give Philadelphia a 17-14 victory. The Eagles haven't lost since.
"It's great that we finally came together offensively," said wide receiver James Thrash. "We've had one good quarter, two good quarters. This time, we did it the whole game."
Panthers 20, Redskins 17
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Stephen Davis was careful all week to keep his level of dislike for the Washington Redskins bottled up. Scoring the winning touchdown against his former team finally allowed him to release it.
Davis screamed as he exited his postgame news conference, a jubilant cry after he lifted the Carolina Panthers to a 20-17 victory over the Redskins on Sunday.
"He was their focal point, their stud, their Pro Bowl guy," Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "I guarantee that that yell he let out - it was relief that it was over and we got it done. He's not one to rub it in."
He downplayed the showdown with the Redskins and coach Steve Spurrier, who phased him out of the offense last season before ultimately releasing him. After seven seasons, three of them 1,000-yard years, and two Pro Bowl appearances, Davis couldn't believe he was cast off.
So he set out for a "take-that, Steve Spurrier" game and delivered with the winning score on a 3-yard run with 1:09 remaining to help Carolina (8-2) continue its roll through the NFC.
On fourth-and-1 on the Carolina 38, everyone in Ericsson Stadium expected a handoff with the game on the line. Instead, Jake Delhomme tossed to Davis, who scampered 25 yards up the sideline.
After a 30-yard completion to Steve Smith to the 7, it was all Davis. He broke a tackle at the line and used a huge second effort for a 6-yard gain, then took another handoff and barely scored before the ball was knocked out of his hands. Davis went to the sidelines and stood alone to watch Washington's final drive. Quarterback Patrick Ramsey threw four consecutive incompletions and Davis rushed out onto the field to celebrate with the defense when it was over.
"Those guys had my back on this one," he said.
Rams 23, Bears 21
CHICAGO - Jeff Wilkins kicked a 31-yard field goal with 38 seconds left to help the Rams win for the sixth time in seven games.
Marshall Faulk ran for 103 yards and the Rams (7-3) overcame a 14-3 halftime deficit. Wilkins' third field goal came after the Rams moved 67 yards behind six completions from Marc Bulger, including a 21-yarder to Torry Holt.
The drive was aided by back-to-back penalties for illegal contact and illegal use of the hands on the Bears (3-7).
Saints 23, Falcons 20, OT
NEW ORLEANS - John Carney kicked a 36-yard field goal in overtime to lift New Orleans, which rallied from a 20-3 first-half deficit.
Deuce McAllister, held to 20 yards in the first half, finished with 173 yards and two touchdowns for the Saints (5-5). McAllister had touchdown runs of 5 and 7 yards in the rally and Carney tied the game with a 26-yard field goal.
The Saints got the first possession of overtime, but McAllister fumbled into the end zone, giving the Falcons (2-8) first down on the 20. Jay Feely, who kicked two earlier field goals, missed a 54-yarder, giving the Saints another chance.
Packers 20, Buccaneers 13
TAMPA, Fla. - Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers made it look easy against the once-vaunted Tampa Bay defense.
Playing with a broken right thumb and shrugging off five years of futility at Raymond James Stadium, Favre led a 98-yard second-half drive to give Green Bay the victory.
Ahman Green finished the march with a 1-yard run that vaulted the Packers (5-5) back into the thick of the NFC playoff race. They dealt the Bucs (4-6) their third straight loss to hurt the defending Super Bowl champions' chances of getting back to the postseason.
Seahawks 35, Lions 14
SEATTLE - Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said all week he wanted his offense to get on a roll. The woeful Detroit Lions were the perfect opponent to accommodate him.
Bobby Engram had an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown and caught a 34-yard scoring pass to help the Seahawks to victory.
The Seahawks (7-3) improved to 6-0 at home and maintained a share of the NFC West lead with St. Louis. The win was wrapped up by halftime, when Seattle had 300 yards and a 35-14 lead.
After Detroit's two home victories gave the Lions (3-7) a modest winning streak for the first time in three years, they couldn't avoid their 21st straight defeat on the road.
BENGALS
Bengals 24, Chiefs 19
Daugherty: Victory brings credibility
Jungle wild again after Bengal win
Team delivers on Johnson's promise
Receiver fulfilling high expectations
Defenders hold down fort early
Bengals, not Chiefs, shine on special teams
Dillon apologizes
Hall watches Bengal steal his thunder
Notes: Warrick, Kitna made proper read on TD
Game statistics
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NFC roundup
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It is 'The Game' and then some
LSU good, but not good enough for BCS
Oklahoma extends season-long run at No. 1
XAVIER BASKETBALL
Xavier 72, Mercer 58
Oakland lands in BCA final
PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
For now, Panthers' next stop is Dayton
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