Donovan McNabb looked like his old, scrambling self. Brett Favre looked, well, old.
McNabb ran for two touchdowns and threw for a pair, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 31-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Favre, who has enjoyed many memorable moments on Monday night throughout his 16-year career, would like to forget this one. Favre misfired badly on several passes and his throws were intercepted twice with both picks leading to Philadelphia scores. He left with a slight head injury late in the fourth quarter.
PHOTO: AFP
McNabb finished 16-of-30 for 288 yards and had 45 yards rushing. He scored on runs of 6 and 15 yards and connected with Greg Lewis on TD passes of 45 and 30 yards.
Playing without injured running back Brian Westbrook, the Eagles started slow and trailed 9-7 at halftime following three field goals from Green Bay's Dave Rayner, including one for 54 yards. Correll Buckhalter, starting for Westbrook, lost two fumbles inside the Packers 5 in the first half.
But McNabb used his legs in the third quarter to lead the Eagles (3-1) to their third victory by a double-digit margin.
On the opening possession of the third quarter, McNabb twice kept the drive going by running for first downs on third-and-10. He got 14 yards on his first dash and juked for 12 more to the Packers 42 on the second one.
David Akers then kicked a 40-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 10-9 lead they never relinquished.
On Philly's next drive, Lewis blew past cornerback Ahmad Carroll, caught McNabb's pass in stride inside the 5 and fought his way into the end zone to give the Eagles a 17-9 lead.
After rookie defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey intercepted a tipped pass and lost 12 yards on the return, McNabb and Lewis hooked up again to put Philadelphia ahead 24-9. Lewis was wide open after running a short out route, made the catch and easily streaked into the end zone.
On the next series of play, Michael Lewis intercepted Favre's overthrown pass at the Eagles 13 and returned it to the 34.
McNabb scored from 15 yards to put the Eagles ahead 31-9.
Green Bay played without star running back Ahman Green, out with a hamstring injury, while corners Lito Sheppard (ankle) and Rod Hood (heel) joined Westbrook (knee) on the Eagles' sideline.
The Packers (1-3) have lost nine straight to the Eagles in Philly since a 49-0 victory in 1962 when Vince Lombardi coached the Packers.
Both teams squandered opportunities early.
The Eagles drove to the Packers 2 on their second possession but turned the ball over on a fumble.
After consecutive passes totaling 38 yards put the Eagles at Green Bay's 4, Buckhalter fumbled again.
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