DETROIT – On his first snap, quarterback Michael Vick tripped as he took the snap from center Mike McGlynn and barely handed the ball off to running back LeSean McCoy. It was the only lack of perfection for the Eagles offense in an opening drive that ended with Vick completed a catch-and-run touchdown play of 45 yards to DeSean Jackson for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead
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It was the kind of start the Eagles needed. Aided by an interception from rookie safety Nate Allen in the end zone to end Detroit's opening drive, the Eagles offense came right out and meant business. The handoff to McCoy gained 5 yards and then the Lions jumped offsides, setting up a short-yardage situation for the Eagles. A second-down run was stuffed, but then Vick rolled left and threw back to the right side for Brent Celek for a gain of 11 yards.
From the Eagles 40-yard line, Julian Peterson blitzed and hit Vick in the helmet and the Eagles had a first down at the Detroit 45-yard line. That set up the Vick touchdown throw to Jackson, who ran a simple route on the left side of the field, sat down in the zone coverage and then made magic. Jackson caught the ball surrounded by Lions defenders, but he used his speed to burst across the field to the right corner of the end zone and the Eagles had a lead, as short-lived as it was.
Jackson handed Vick the football on the sidelines as the Eagles celebrated their strong start. It was a sign of things to come for the offense, which racked up 261 total net yards in the first two quarters. Vick passed for 186 yards and ran for 40 more as the Eagles gained 14 first downs and scored touchdowns on both trips inside the red zone.
"The first drive set the tone," said Vick. "To come out and get something going, that big play to DeSean, that's exactly what we wanted to do. We moved the ball, made some plays. They came after us and we hit them back."
The offense continued its outstanding play in the second half – building off the first drive that set the tone for the day. The Eagles scored 35 points with 409 total net yards and 24 first downs.
"We had a good mix," said head coach Andy Reid. "We need to do things better, but we were able to get back in the game after falling behind and score some points."
-- Posted by Dave Spadaro, 6:09 p.m., September 19
