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McNabb uses arm, legs to lift Eagles to victory

EAGLES 27, VIKINGS 16: The quarterback is part of all three touchdowns.

PHILADELPHIA - Donovan McNabb didn't need much of Terrell Owens on Monday night. Daunte Culpepper could have used a lot more of Randy Moss.

In a game featuring many long drives but not many points, the Eagles rode the running and passing of McNabb past the Vikings 27-16. Of the four big offensive stars, only McNabb glittered, and Culpepper hurt his team with a fumble at the goal line.

McNabb made several big plays in throwing for 245 yards. He passed for two scores, including the clincher to Owens for 45 yards with 7:40 remaining, and ran for another.

Owens touchdown came after the Vikings reached the Eagles 14 but did not score. An offensive pass interference penalty against Moss and false start penalty cost Minnesota 15 yards. Three plays later, Morten Andersen missed a 44-yard field goal.

Moss' 4-yard catch with 3:32 left brought the Vikings to within 24-16.

But J.R. Reed returned the ensuing kickoff 43 yards to the Vikings 47. McNabb completed a 13-yard pass to Owens on the series' first play, which helped set up a 47-yard field goal by David Akers.

Andersen, at 44 the league's oldest player, appeared in his 340th game, tying George Blanda's record. The 23-year veteran's left leg looked plenty strong as he made three field goals. But he was short on a 44-yarder with 9:14 left.

Brian Westbrook dominated the Eagles' 72-yard march to a 7-3 lead on their first series. He was involved in six of the 11 plays, gaining 44 yards. L.J. Smith beat rookie linebacker Dontarrious Thomas over the middle for an 11-yard touchdown catch.

Minnesota didn't flinch, driving 65 yards in 14 plays before flopping on three runs from the 2. Brian Dawkins' hard hit on Culpepper's third-down draw stopped him short of the end zone, and Andersen added a 19-yard field goal. Culpepper outweighs Dawkins by about 50 pounds.

Dawkins' fumble recovery after Nate Wayne stripped the ball from Culpepper inside the Philadelphia 1 finished a wide-open yet low-scoring first half. There were few points but also only one punt as neither defense could stop time-consuming drives. The teams combined to gain 357 yards in the half that ended 10-6.

Philadelphia got 43 more on the opening drive of the second half, which began at the Vikings 43 after Reed's 46-yard kickoff return.

McNabb avoided a strong rush and got a great downfield block by tailback Reno Mahe on his 20-yard scramble for a 20-6 lead.

Culpepper returned the favor by scoring on an 11-yard run on the next series only to see it negated by center Matt Birk's holding penalty. Andersen kicked his third field goal, from 39 yards.

Rushing - Minnesota, Culpepper 8-41, O.Smith 10-28, Burleson 1-9. Philadelphia, Westbrook 12-69, McNabb 3-24, Levens 1-1, T.Owens 1-(minus 3).

Passing - Minnesota, Culpepper 37-47-1-343. Philadelphia, McNabb 19-28-0-245.

Receiving - Minnesota, Moss 8-69, Wiggins 8-65, O.Smith 8-56, Burleson 5-67, R.Owens 3-36, Campbell 2-30, Robinson 2-14, Moore 1-6. Philadelphia, Westbrook 5-69, T.Owens 4-79, L.J.Smith 3-26, C.Lewis 2-24, Ritchie 2-22, G.Lewis 2-11, Mitchell 1-14.

Missed field goal - Minnesota, Andersen 44 (SH).