PHILADELPHIA — That hardly looked like Donovan McNabb taking snaps at the Linc, and it had nothing to do with his burgundy and gold jersey.
McNabb threw for 125 yards and one touchdown, leading the Washington Redskins to a 17-12 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in his first game against his former team.
Michael Vick was forced out in the first quarter with chest and rib injuries in his first start in front of the hometown crowd. Kevin Kolb, who was supposed to be McNabb’s successor all along, replaced Vick after losing his starting job because he got hurt in Week 1.
So, the McNabb-Vick showdown turned into the McNabb-Kolb matchup everyone originally anticipated. But this one didn’t live up to the hype.
On a field where he made so many dynamic plays throughout his career, McNabb looked more like a game-manager than an elite player. A six-time Pro Bowl pick in 11 seasons with the Eagles, McNabb didn’t get much of a chance to showcase his skills because Redskins coach Mike Shanahan stuck with a conservative approach and relied on the ground attack.
“You get into a throwing game specially here, in this environment with the crowd, usually you’re in for a long day,” Shanahan said. “So you have to establish the run.”
That meant McNabb turned around and handed off — again and again.
Washington had 169 yards rushing, including 55 by Clinton Portis, before he left with a groin injury. Ryan Torain had 70 yards rushing and one touchdown.
McNabb threw just 19 passes, completing eight and getting intercepted once.
The only stat that matters is the win.
“The relief I got was that this is over, that the whole hoopla and coming back to Philadelphia is over,” McNabb said.
The Redskins (2-2) snapped a two-game losing skid, improving to 2-0 in the NFC East.
The Eagles (2-2) are winless at home.
