When the middle linebacker bit on DeSean Jackson's crossing route, L.J. Smith came wide open at the back of the end zone. Good plays and good execution.

The other key difference between the Lions game of 2006 and Sunday was the defense. The Eagles gave up 432 yards and 21 points to Detroit. The defense looked dominant for much of the win over the Rams. St. Louis finished with only 166 yards. They were shut out for three quarters. This wasn't just a flashy win. This was one team dominating another.

Jim Johnson blitzed early and often. He kept a lot of pressure on Marc Bulger and never let Bulger get into a good rhythm. The front seven played the run very well. The Rams were held to only 36 yards rushing. When you can do that and keep a lot of pressure on the quarterback, the opposing offense simply doesn't stand much of a chance.

We also won the kicking game. Over the summer, special teams coordinator Rory Segrest and the special teams unit took a lot of heat. Mistakes and sloppy play were abundant. That was not the case on Sunday. Special teams coordinator Rory Segrest had his guys well-prepared and they played a terrific game. David Akers had seven kickoffs. He got good depth on all of them. Two were touchbacks. The longest return was only 22 yards. Sav Rocca had a terrific game. He looks worlds better than last year. His touch and directional kicking are a lot better than last year. He helped pin the Rams inside the 5-yard line twice with excellent punts. The Rams finished with -2 return yards on punts. That is good kicking and good coverage. Rookie Quintin Demps had two outstanding plays on punt coverage. He grabbed a ball headed for the end zone and threw it back into the field to be downed. He later downed a punt. Both plays pinned the Rams deep in their own territory.

Demps didn't get much of a chance as the kickoff returner. The opening kickoff was a touchback where the ball was close to the sideline. Demps was smart to not pick that kick up. He did have one 15-yard return late in the game. DeSean Jackson benefited from the good play of the defense. He was able to return eight punts. Among those efforts were an 18-yard run and a spectacular 60-yard return inside the Rams' 10-yard line. Jackson finished the game with 97 punt return yards. To keep that number in perspective, Reno Mahe finished the 2007 season with 249 punt return yards. Jackson does have to learn not to go backwards on returns. When he does get a seam he has the speed to make the other team pay. That's what happened on his long return. The key block on that play was thrown by Chris Clemons. He took out the initial defender and gave Jackson space to run.

Jackson had a great overall game. He provided impact as a returner and receiver. He caught six passes for 106 yards. By my count, McNabb threw 10 passes to Jackson. This is no ordinary rookie. It sure looks like he is going to be an integral part of our passing attack this year.

There is a certain symmetry needed to have a good passing attack. The quarterback needs time to throw. He has to make good reads and get the ball out on time and on target. The receivers have to get open and catch the ball when it comes to them. McNabb, the offensive line and the receivers all played very well. Each phase worked. We saw an explosive passing game, made even more impressive by the fact that both starters were out. I like the fact that Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg didn't just dink and dunk and play it safe. They attacked vertically and threw the ball downfield. Receivers Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett and Jason Avant stepped up. They combined for 10 catches, 251 yards and a touchdown.

I have barely mentioned Brian Westbrook. He ran for 91 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns. It seems crazy to think that we were able to pile up 522 yards of offense and score 38 points without him having a monster game. A big part of that is due to the fact that McNabb played so well. He threw for 361 yards and looked masterful running the offense. He threw the ball well. He audibled at the line a couple of times. He was nimble in the pocket on the few plays where he was pressured. Great game by McNabb.

This brings us back to the Lions game from last year. McNabb was great in that game. The week after the win over Detroit was the 12-sack debacle in New York. All the great play from one week was washed away immediately. The stagnant offense returned. Can that happen this year? Will that happen this year?

I think the team is much better this season. The offense will have some subpar games. That happens to every unit on every team. I can't guarantee 500 yards and 38 points every week, but I can tell you that the Eagles are not going to struggle to score like they did last year. Barring a rash of injuries, scoring will not be a problem.

QUICK HITS

• Tony Hunt was solid at fullback. He mostly used cut blocks. He still has a lot of work to do, but that was an okay start.

• Late in the game Todd Herremans slid out to left tackle and Shawn Andrews to right tackle. That could be a preview of 2009.

• Darren Howard had a good game. He notched half a sack and a tackle-for-loss. He hit Bulger a couple of times just as he threw the ball.

• Stewart Bradley played really well. He led the team in tackles and helped to shut down the inside running game. He also blitzed up the middle quite a bit. He deflected a pass, had a sack and had a tackle-for-loss. Decent first start, don't ya think?

• Asante Samuel broke up three passes. He dropped one potential interception. Heck, that was going to be a pick six.

ANY CONCERNS?

• We didn't force any turnovers. The Rams only ran 45 offensive plays, but I still wanted to come up with some takeaways.

• Our screen game needs some work. We didn't run many, but that is a key part of our offense. You never like to see that area look sloppy.