Report card
Most Valuable Player
Clinton Portis. Who else could it be? He rushed for 145 yards on 29 carries against a defense that had yielded an average of 52 in the first four games. His offensive line was fantastic; they provided better running lanes.
Pro Bowl Performance
Andre Carter missed time this week for a family issue, but he clearly wasn’t rusty. Carter was terrific with two tackles for a loss. On a third and short near the goal line late in the game, his penetration led to a three-yard loss.
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Overlooked
Eagles rookie DeSean Jackson was the hot new guy. But corner Carlos Rogers completely shut him down, limiting Jackson to one catch. Time and again Donovan McNabb looked his way only to go elsewhere. Rogers gave Jackson different looks, throwing off his timing.
Oops!
We don’t know what play Donovan McNabb was going to run, but we do know the play he audibilized to on third and short from the 2-yard line did not work. It led to a 3-yard loss and the Eagles settled for a field goal.
From the sidelines
» Jim Zorn deserves a lot of credit for keeping his team focused after a horrible start. He did not deviate from his game plan. He also continues to play to win, going for a fourth and 1 late to kill the clock.
» Andy Reid never successfully adjusted to what the Redskins were doing. He should have gone for it on fourth and 5 in the first quarter rather than settle for a 50-yard field goal attempt from a kicker who no longer makes those.
Up next » Redskins vs. Rams
When » Sunday, 1 p.m.; Where » FedEx Field
TV » FOX; Radio » 980 AM/SIRIUS 125
The Rams had their first good week of the season. Yes, they had a bye. St. Louis will play its first game under interim coach Jim Haslett. But this team is a mess. Offensive coordinator Al Saunders surely will want to get some revenge on his former team.
