Royce Strahan

If there’s one conclusion to draw from the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles’ game, which the Redskins won 17-12, it’s that the Redskins would have lost if it weren’t for the unfortunate injury of Michael Vick in the first half.

Vick went down at the end of the first quarter after a rib injury inflicted by the Redskins defense was too painful to continue in the game. Vick did not return to the bench for the second half after 5-of-7 passing for 49 yards and rushing three times for 17 yards in the first quarter. Vick was well on his way to proving why he was named the NFC offensive player of the month, but a hard hit on a 23-yard run ended his night.

In comes backup quarterback Kevin Kolb (sigh). Kolb showed the athleticism and accuracy that would be fitting to label this game as one of the worst quarterback performances of all time. Kolb passed for 201 yards and one interception on 22-of-35 passing, but don’t let the numbers fool you.

Every pass Kolb threw was Little League distance, and he couldn’t stretch the ball down the field to save his life. Kolb also managed to fumble the ball twice in pivotal moments in the game.

The only bright spot on the Eagles’ side was running back LeSean McCoy, who caught 12 passes for 110 yards and had 16 carries for 64 yards. He also had a costly fumble, but isn’t the reason for the loss.

If Vick were in the game for the full 60 minutes, my predictions would have been dead accurate. The Eagles gave this game away; the Redskins didn’t earn it.

Donovan McNabb, the supposed second coming in Washington, went 8-of-19 passing for 125 yards with one touchdown and one interception. These are far from Pro Bowl numbers and, as I predicted, McNabb threw some questionable passes early in the game. Being welcomed back to Lincoln Financial Field by a standing ovation when he was announced before the game to being booed when he stepped on the field during the first drive played with McNabb’s emotions.

McNabb flew under the radar and escaped any scrutiny, but he can’t escape my wrath. The Eagles made him look like an all-star when you compare him to Kevin Kolb’s performance. McNabb was once thought of as an all-world quarterback, but is starting to show his age. Against a healthy Vick, he wouldn’t have won the game.