Patriots Hike NFL Record to 11-0
New England Narrowly Defeats Stubborn Eagles, 31-28
The seemingly invincible New England Patriots eked out a narrow, 31-28, three-point win over a stubborn Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night, in the franchise’s toughest contest thus far during the 2007 season.
The Eagles threw a real scare into the hearts of Patriot fans by shutting down All-Pro receiver Randy Moss, continually pressuring quarterback Tom Brady and picking apart the vaunted New England secondary. Philadelphia wasn’t quieted until Patriot cornerback Asante Samuel intercepted an ill-founded A.J. Feeley pass during the final minutes of the contest.
Initially it looked as though the New England juggernaut through the National Football League would continue, as Samuel intercepted a Feeley pass on the Eagles’ second play from scrimmage, returning it for a quick Pats touchdown.
"He came up with a couple of big plays," Patriots coach Bill Belichick told the Boston Globe. "He doesn't let too many get through his hands. That's what a great playmaker does."
To their credit, Philadelphia had other ideas. For one thing, the Eagles virtually negated Moss, who they completely closed down as a long pass threat. Simultaneously, the Eagles shut down the Pats’ running game, with Brady ultimately hurling 54 throws throughout the game. True to form however, he hit on 34 of those passes for 380 yards, one TD and no interceptions. New England’s two other offensive touchdowns came on running plays, one from Laurence Maroney, the second from rookie running back Heath Evans. Philly manhandled New England so badly that the Pats only ran the ball twice in the first half.
Pats receiver Wes Welker had a career game, more than picking up the slack for the invisible Moss, notching 13 receptions for 149 yards. Moss pulled down five passes for a cumulative 43 yards, wideout Jabar Gaffney caught six passes for 87 yards (and the lone Patriot passing TD), and Donte Stallworth, a former Eagle, picked up 54 yards on four catches. All told, the Patriots gained a mere 48 yards on the ground.
Philly more than played tough, stunting and blitzing all night long, and second-string quarterback Feeley had a career game of his own while subbing for the injured Donavan McNabb. He hit on 27 of 43 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns. But it was his interceptions that ultimately killed the Eagles’ chances. Yet Philadelphia’s gutsy play must have stunned the Pats, as New England came into the contest as three touchdown favorites.
"Feeley did a good job like we've seen him against us before," said Belichick.
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