DeSean Jackson scored his 11th touchdown of the season Sunday against the 49ers on a broken play. That 19-yard touchdown reception might be the most remembered play from the 27-13 win over the 49ers, but it wasn't the most important.
On a third-and-2 from the Eagles' 19-yard line in the fourth quarter, the Eagles lined up in the tight formation. Jackson said that he came off the ball as if he was running an out route. Cornerback Dre Bly bit on the move and Jackson blew past him. Donovan McNabb connected with him down the right side of the field for a 59-yard gain. Five plays later LeSean McCoy scored on a 2-yard run for the game's final points.
"It shows the confidence the coaching staff has to be able to come out here and say we don't care if it's third-and-an-inch, we're going to go down the field," Jackson said. "It's definitely a lot of confidence by (offensive coordinator) Marty (Mornhinweg) in the players on the field making plays."
Jackson finished with six catches for 140 yards and a touchdown. It was the second consecutive week that Jackson had at least 140 yards becoming the first Eagles receiver to do that since Mike Quick in 1985. For the season, Jackson now has 1,087 receiving yards on just 56 catches (19.4 yards per catch). He is the third wide receiver in the Andy Reid era to surpass the 1,000-yard mark joining Terrell Owens (2004) and Kevin Curtis (2007). The touchdown was Jackson's eighth receiving of the year to go along with his two punt return scores and a rushing TD.
"Honestly, it's a great feeling. I would not have been able to do it without the playcalling and without Donovan," Jackson said of reaching the 1,000-yard mark. "You have to give credit to Kevin (Kolb) and (Michael) Vick. Without those guys, I would not be able to be as successful as possible. I am just trying to do anything and everything I can to help this team for the long haul.
"Our goal is the Super Bowl. We just have to keep playing like this and we will be all right."
On the touchdown, Jackson lined up on the right side and ran a 10-yard curl route. Jackson saw McNabb scrambling to his left and followed him. The 49ers defense lost track of Jackson and McNabb tossed the ball to him at the 4-yard line. Jackson cruised in from there for the score.
Jackson also converted a third-and-4 with a 39-yard gain in the second quarter. Jackson ran a crossing route and after making the catch for the first down he dusted off safety Mark Roman with a spin move and was off to the races.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 9:53 p.m., December 20
