PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick shared a long embrace with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg after coming back from a month off to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a big win.
When Peyton Manning is on the other side, it’s no ordinary game.
Vick threw for 218 yards and one touchdown and ran for 74 yards and a score in the Eagles’ 26-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
“This game was more emotional because we knew how tough it was going to be to win this game,” Vick said. “It took two weeks of hard work, guys working extra hard, watching film and doing whatever it takes. To win this game was very gratifying.”
The Eagles (5-3) are 12-0 after a bye since Andy Reid became coach in 1999. They hadn’t beaten Manning in three previous tries.
While Philadelphia rested last week, the Colts (5-3) had to make a quick turnaround after beating Houston on Monday night. It certainly seemed the Eagles were the fresher team, especially early.
“They got off to a great start against us,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. “You got to give them credit. They hung in there and really did a nice job.”
The depleted Colts lost wide receiver Austin Collie to a concussion after a hard — and illegal — hit by Kurt Coleman forced him to leave on a stretcher in the second quarter.
Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson had 109 yards receiving and one touchdown in his first game back after a vicious hit gave him a concussion on Oct. 17.
Playing his first game since injured rib cartilage forced him out on Oct. 3, Vick picked up where he left off when he was NFC offensive player of the month in September. He completed 17-of-29 passes and scrambled for some key first downs.
“We knew we had to keep Peyton off the field,” Vick said.
Manning threw for 287 yards on 31-of-52 passing, with one TD and two interceptions. The four-time NFL MVP wasn’t his usual self, misfiring on several passes.
“They have good players, good cover guys,” Manning said. “Everything was contested. We had a tough time finding a rhythm in the second half.”
