Playing his first NFL game since his release from prison, Michael Vick showcased his impressive skills on Thursday night in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 33-32 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Vick played quarterback, ran the wildcat formation, even lined up at wide receiver and completed a pass right-handed. David Akers’ 34-yard field goal in the final minute earned the victory.
Vick’s return overshadowed a somewhat sloppy effort by an Eagles team that has Super Bowl aspirations. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback jogged onto the field for the second play from scrimmage and got a hearty welcome from the notoriously tough Philly fans.
PHOTO: AP
Vick was on the field for six plays — all in the opening 18 minutes. He completed all four of his passes for 19 yards, ran for 1 yard and lined up in the slot for one play.
Donovan McNabb completed 21 of 36 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown. He also threw one interception and his fumble on a backward pass was returned 92 yards for a score by Brian Iwuh.
Jaguars quarterback David Garrard was eight for 14 for 93 yards and one interception while leading Jacksonville on one touchdown drive.
DOLPHINS 10, BUCCANEERS 6
In Tampa, Florida, Byron Leftwich outperformed Luke McCown in what could be a pivotal match in the competition for the Buccaneers’ quarterbacks.
Chad Pennington produced a field goal just before halftime, then led a long touchdown drive in the third quarter for the Dolphins (3-0). Mike Nugent kicked two field goals for Tampa Bay (1-2) on drives led by Leftwich.
Leftwich completed nine of 17 passes for 100 yards in just over a quarter, working four possessions. He overthrew some open receivers in the rain, but was impressive on third down with throws of 21 yards, 21 yards and 18 yards to Maurice Stovall to extend drives. McCown also played a little more than a quarter without nearly as much success.
RAMS 24, BENGALS 21
In Cincinnati, Ohio, Kyle Boller played better in his second game filling in for Marc Bulger, completing a flurry of short passes during a victory over the Bengals.
He completed 14 of 20 for 96 yards, heading for the bench after the opening series of the third quarter.
The Bengals were also missing Carson Palmer — J.T. O’Sullivan was sacked three times, lost a fumble and had two passes batted away at the line in his place. His best moment was an improvised underhand pass to running back Brian Leonard that went for 25 yards and set up a touchdown. O’Sullivan was seven of 13 for 94 yards while playing into the third quarter.
O’Sullivan’s fumble at the Cincinnati 20-yard line set up the Rams’ second touchdown.
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