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SCOUTING REPORT: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Wednesday November 19, 2003


WHEN YOU'RE HOT

The Philadelphia Eagles are the NFL's hottest team, with a five-game winning streak after beating the New York Giants 28-10 Sunday. They are the first team in the league to win four in a row when trailing by three or more points going into the fourth quarter. The Eagles (7-3) have won seven of their last eight games after losing their first two at Lincoln Financial Field. It will be the Saints' first appearance at Lincoln Financial Field, which has FieldTurf. The Saints haven't played in Philadelphia since 1993, when the Eagles knocked them out of the playoffs with a 36-20 victory. The Eagles are 14-8 against the Saints. Philadelphia, a city known for its history, holds an important place in Saints lore. The Saints beat the Eagles for their first regular-season victory 31-24 on Nov. 5, 1967 in Tulane Stadium.

RATING THE EAGLES

WHEN THEY RUN

It's pretty much by committee, although Brian Westbrook has been getting the bulk of the work over Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter. With quarterback Donovan McNabb passing for 314 yards, the Eagles ran the ball only 21 times against the Giants. Westbrook had the most carries, nine, but gained 48 of the Eagles' 62 rushing yards and scored a touchdown. An all-around threat, Westbrook caught five passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Built along the lines of Atlanta's Warrick Dunn (he's listed at 5 feet 8 and 200 pounds), Westbrook is especially dangerous when he gets to the outside. Staley, who rushed for 1,029 yards last season, is playing behind Westbrook and Buckhalter, a power runner.

WHEN THEY PASS

The Eagles used a lot of three- and four-receiver sets against the Giants. McNabb, who benefits from solid protection from his offensive line, had 300 or more yards passing for the second time in three games, and was not sacked. He has thrown just two interceptions in his last 181 attempts. McNabb spread the ball around to nine receivers. Freddie Mitchell, the Eagles' No. 1 draft choice in 2001, appears to be getting the hang of the NFL. He had four catches for 60 yards. Mitchell suffered a concussion, but returned to the game. James Thrash, who had six catches, is a reliable receiver.

DEFENDING THE RUN

The Eagles have given up 785 rushing yards, and opponents have averaged 5.1 a carry in the last five games. Teams have only eight scoring drives of 70 yards or more against them this season. Linebacker Carlos Emmons played with a protective cast on his fractured thumb and had six tackles, including three solos. Defensive tackle Darwin Walker has been playing with an abdominal strain. He had a sack against the Giants.

DEFENDING THE PASS

The Eagles, who gave up five touchdown passes in the first two games, have allowed just six in the last eight. All-Pro free safety Brian Dawkins, who missed eight games with a foot injury, returned Sunday, but left the field numerous times. The Eagles are still without Pro Bowl cornerback Bobby Taylor, who hasn't played since Oct. 19 because of a foot injury. Second-year players Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard are sharing time at Taylor's spot. At the other corner, Troy Mitchell gave up six catches to Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer.

ON SPECIAL TEAMS

Dirk Johnson, who was with the Saints for one game last season, averaged just 29.6 yards on five punts Sunday, but he put four inside the 20. He averages 40.6 per punt, but 19 of his 58 kicks have been downed inside the 20. Westbrook is the NFL's No. 3 punt returner, averaging 13.5 yards and has run one back for a touchdown. Thrash is averaging 25.8 yards on kickoff returns, eighth in the league. Kicker David Akers is 11-of-14.

LAST TIME THEY MET: The Eagles won 21-7 on Sept. 24, 2000 in the Superdome. McNabb was 20-of-32 for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

WORTH REPEATING

"From where we were at 0-2 and pretty much everybody burning us up and telling us to get out of town to where we are right now -- I think people are pretty much excited to watch the Eagles right now." -- Donovan McNabb

Compiled by Peter Barrouquere

BillyC

B. Johnson 27/36 238 2 1 W
T. Brady 30/44 255 3 0 W
D. Bledsoe 27/43 296 1 0 L
P. Ramsey 25/50 271 1 2 L
Q. Carter 14/25 146 0 1 W
K. Collins 22/36 174 1 0 L
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C. Pennington 14/24 154 0 1 L
V. Testaverde 7/11 112 1 0
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D. Johnson 5/10 86 0 0 L
K. Kittner 11/18 78 0 1
__________________________

B. Favre 14/22 109 1 1 L
K. Collins 25/44 268 1 1 L

This is what all QB\'s have done against the Eagles secondary this year. There isn\'t one QB who has thrown of over 300-yards. Only 2 QB\'s have thrown for 2 or more TD\'s and both of those teams beat the Eagles.

I think this game rests in the hands of Aaron Brooks and the passsing game. If the passing game can put a couple of TD\'s on the board and the offense doesn\'t turn the ball over, I think we win. If that doesn\'t happen, I don\'t think Deuce can carry the whole load. I also don\'t think the Eagles are going to cost themselves the game with mistakes....