Here are some news and notes following Sunday's 30-27 win over the Broncos ...
Going Streaking
The Eagles have won six straight games and remain in sole possession of first place in the NFC East with an 11-4 record. The Eagles have engineered six winning streaks of six-plus games during Andy Reid's tenure (including playoffs): six in 2006; seven in 2004; six in 2004; nine in 2003; six in 2002. The last time the Eagles won 11 or more games in a season was in 2004 (13 wins).
During the current winning streak, the Eagles have averaged 31.2 points and 2.5 takeaways per game
Lighting Up the Scoreboard
The Eagles have scored a franchise-record 429 points this season, surpassing the previous record of 416 set in 2008. In fact, Andy Reid's Eagles have accounted for the top four scoring outputs in team history (415 in 2002, 398 in 2006).
Green Akers Hits a Game-WinnerK David Akers connected on all three field goal attempts (39, 45, 28), including a game-winner with four seconds left on the clock. It was his second game-winning field goal this season (11/29/09 vs. Washington) and the ninth of his career with under 2:00 remaining in the fourth quarter or in overtime. Akers has made good on 32 field goals this season, which is the second-highest total of his career (33 in 2008), and in Eagles history.
His 139 points this season leads the NFL and is the second-highest output in team history (he had 144 points in 2008).
Five Keeps the Streak Alive
· QB Donovan McNabb completed 20 of 35 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns (104.7 rating).
· It was McNabb's second straight 300-yard passing game. The last time he did that was on 9/10/06 at Houston and 9/17/06 vs. NYG.
· McNabb is 45-1 (6-0 in 2009) when his quarterback rating exceeds 100 and 21-5-1 (2-1 in 2009) when throwing for 300-plus yards.
· In his last 18 regular season starts, McNabb has led the Eagles to a 14-4 record.
Samuel Strikes Again
CB Asante Samuel registered his ninth interception of the season, which is the most by an Eagle in a season since 1972 when Bill Bradley posted nine. Samuel's total is now tied for the second-best output in team history behind Bradley's 11 in 1971. Don Burroughs (1960) and Ed "Bibbles" Bawel (1955) also posted nine interceptions in a season.
Samuel leads all NFL cornerbacks in interceptions (Bills safety Jairus Byrd and Saints safety Darren Sharper also have nine) and his total is the most by an NFL cornerback since San Diego's Antonio Cromartie posted 10 in 2007.
Ball Hawkin'The Eagles defense has picked off opposing quarterbacks in 12 of 15 games this season and now has 37 takeaways (24 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries), its highest total since compiling 38 in 2002 (15 interceptions, 23 fumble recoveries). It is also the highest interception total by the Eagles since amassing 28 in 1999.
Magnum TETE Brent Celek led the team with 121 receiving yards and a touchdown, marking his third 100-yard game of the season (fourth of his career). His 47-yard touchdown was the longest catch of his career. Celek's 69 catches this season are tied for the second-highest single-season total in team history among tight ends. Chad Lewis had 69 in 2000 and Keith Jackson owns the record with 81 in 1988.
Celek's 875 receiving yards rank third in team history among tight ends, trailing Pete Retzlaff's 1,190 in 1965 and Retzlaff's 895 yards in 1963. Celek's eight touchdowns are tied with Retzlaff for the second-highest total by an Eagles tight end. Retzlaff had 10 in 1965, eight in 1964 and eight in 1961.
Sack Attack
DEs Trent Cole, Juqua Parker and Darren Howard each recorded a sack Sunday. As such, Cole tied a career high with 12.5, while Parker set a career high with 7.0. Howard has four in his last four games.
Action JacksonWR DeSean Jackson scored his ninth receiving touchdown of the season (12th overall). His nine touchdowns and 1,120 receiving yards this season are the highest totals by an Eagle since Terrell Owens' 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2004. Among all players with at least 10 touchdowns scored in a season, Jackson's average length of 52.8 yards is the highest in NFL history. Chicago's Harlon Hill holds the NFL record with a 50.6 average set in 1956.
Offensive Quick Hits
· The Eagles offense has racked up 4,157 passing yards this season, needing 153 yards to set the team record (4,309 in 2006).
· WR Jason Avant caught his third touchdown of the season. He now has career highs in catches (40), yards (579) and touchdowns (3).
· RB LeSean McCoy's 926 scrimmage yards this season trails only Jackson's team rookie record of 1,008 set in 2008.
· WR Jeremy Maclin led the team with six catches for 92 yards, upping his season totals to 52 receptions and 715 yards. Both totals rank fifth among Eagles rookies all time.
· RB Brian Westbrook returned to action, playing in his 106th game as an Eagle, passing Keith Byars and moving into second place in team history among running backs. He trails Tom Woodeshick (111) for the team record.
-- Posted by Bob Kent, 10:35 p.m., December 27
