Eagles Flyin' High – Birds Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

PHILADELPHIA  — Donovan McNabb threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns, Asante Samuel scored on an interception return as the Philadelphia Eagles beat the struggling Cleveland Browns 30-10 on Monday for their third straight victory.

Philadelphia (8-5-1) remained a half-game behind three teams in the race for the two National Football Conference wild-card spots. The Eagles have to win their final two games — at Washington and home against Dallas — and need Atlanta or Tampa Bay to lose once to secure a playoff berth.

The Browns (4-10) have lost four in a row. At least they finally scored a touchdown on Brandon McDonald's 24-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. The Browns, who didn't reach the end zone in the previous three games, could be looking for a new coach to replace Romeo Crennel after the season.

Jason Avant had five receptions for 101 yards — his first career 100-yard game. McNabb finished 26-of-35 before he was replaced by Kevin Kolb with more than 10 minutes remaining.

Just three weeks ago, the Eagles were in shambles. People were calling for coach Andy Reid to be fired and McNabb's days in Philadelphia seemed numbered after he was benched for the first time in his career at halftime of a 36-7 loss at Baltimore.

But the Eagles answered with impressive wins over the playoff-bound Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. They easily handled the Browns, despite squandering several opportunities.

The Eagles reached the red zone on all seven possessions with McNabb under center, but managed just two touchdowns and three field goals. They had a 17-3 lead at halftime that likely would've been bigger if it weren't for two interceptions in the end zone.

Rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson threw the first one after taking a direct snap at the 7. Sean Jones made a diving catch to pick off Jackson's underthrown pass early in the second quarter.

McDonald then intercepted McNabb's pass on the final play of the second and ran it back 98 yards to the Eagles 7. McDonald was chased by Brian Westbrook and finally caught from behind by Hank Baskett, who was the intended receiver on the play.

Cleveland's Ken Dorsey, making his second straight start for the injured Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, was intercepted twice.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us