Eagles Hold Off Lions for 35-32 Win
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Philadelphia came back from a 17-7 deficit to win 35-32, after nearly blowing a 35-17 lead of its own. Michael Vick put together a strong outing in his first start since December 31, 2006, but was upstaged by Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. The second-year back notched his first 100-yard game with 16 carries for 120 yards and three touchdowns, including a 46-yard score to put the game on ice with under six and a half minutes to play.
Vick went 21-34 for 284 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The quarterback also ran seven times for 37 yards, guiding the Eagles offense efficiently in the absence of the injured Kevin Kolb.
The Eagles came out flying, as their pair of rookie defenders made two big plays on the Lions first drive. Brandon Graham registered his first career sack and Nate Allen intercepted a Shaun Hill pass thrown up for grabs in the end zone.
The Eagles took over, and after a key 3rd and 1 conversion on which Michael Vick rolled out and threw across the formation to Brent Celek, Vick found DeSean Jackson for a 45-yard touchdown pass on a quick hitting route over the middle that left Jackson plenty of room to run. A David Akers extra point put the Eagles up 7-0.
From there, Jahvid Best gave the Lions hope on a six play, 76-yard drive that did not feature a passing play. Four of the runs were by Best for 64 yards. After a field goal by Detroit, the rookie from the University of California later took a screen pass 75 yards to the house, but this time the Eagles had an answer.
Down 17-7, the Eagles’ Michael Vick orchestrated a drive that included a pair of key third down conversions. On third and nine from the Eagles 43-yardline, Vick found Riley Cooper for a 20-yard gain. After a pair of incompletions, Vick scrambled for 10 yards on third and 10, again moving the chains. LeSean McCoy capped off the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run.
Getting the ball back with just 1:12 left in the half, the Eagles two minute offense went to work. On second and two, Vick connected with DeSean Jackson on a 53-yard bomb to take the Birds down to the Detroit 17-yardline. Two plays later, Vick eluded a blitz that came through clean with a dazzling spin move in the backfield, then sprinted to the sideline for a 12-yard gain and a first down at the Lions’ five yardline. Two plays later, Vick found Jeremy Maclin for a nine yard strike to put the Eagles on top 21-17 at halftime after a David Akers extra point.
Philadelphia scored the only touchdown of the third quarter on a 4-yard run by LeSean McCoy to cap a 9-play, 65-yard drive. An Akers extra point left Philadelphia on top 28-17 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, McCoy went to work again, seemingly putting the Lions out of their misery with a 46-yard touchdown run.
The scamper gave McCoy his first career 100-yard rushing game, and his three touchdowns mark his only multi-touchdown game. The Eagles led 35-17, but the Lions added a late touchdown from Best, punching it in from two yards out to cut the Birds lead to 35-24. Detroit got the ball back with just over three minutes remaining, trying to put together a desperate comeback.
Hill hit Calvin Johnson for a 19-yard touchdown with 1:50 left, leaving the Lions down 35-30. On the two point conversion, Hill again found Johnson on a slant, bringing the Lions within a field goal at 35-32. An onside kick slipped through the hands of Riley Cooper, giving the Lions the ball at their own 43-yardline with 1:48 remaining. Detroit didn’t pick up a yard on its last four plays, turning it over on downs and allowing the Eagles to run out the clock on a 35-32 win.
Michael Vick went 21-of-34 for 284 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 40 yards on four carries. McCoy carried the ball 16 times for 120 yards and three touchdowns, and DeSean Jackson caught four passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles limited Calvin Johnson to just three catches for 31 yards, but Jahvid Best carved the Birds up. The rookie running back caught nine passes for 154 yards and a touchdown, while running for two scores and 78 yards on 17 attempts. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew also gave Philadelphia trouble, with seven receptions for 108 yards.