Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens

Sunday, November 23, 2008

*Reed, Ravens rout fading Eagles*

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Ravens have no quarterback controversy. Thanks in part to the longest interception return in NFL history, they have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs.

Ed Reed reeled off an NFL-record 108-yard interception return Sunday as the Ravens crushed the fading Philadelphia Eagles, 36-7.

With the win, Baltimore improved its record to 7-4, one game behind the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3).

While the Ravens won for the fifth time in their last six games, the Eagles (5-5-1) are imploding.

Philadelphia followed up last week's bizarre tie against Cincinnati with a totally inept offensive performance highlighted by the second-half benching of star quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Eagles coach Andy Reid decided at halftime he'd seen enough of the controversial McNabb, who became a national punch-line this past week after admitting he didn't know there could be a tie in the NFL.

McNabb struggled mightily in the first half Sunday, completing just 8-of-18 passes for just 59 yards and two interceptions.

The first pick came from Reed, who brought the ball back to the Eagles 6-yard line and set up the Ravens' first touchdown - a 1-yard pass from rookie Joe Flacco to Daniel Wilcox.

McNabb was replaced at halftime by Kevin Kolb, who wasn't much better. In his first substantial NFL action, the 2007 second-round draft selection was 10-for-23 for 73 yards and two interceptions.

With the ball on the Ravens 1, Kolb fired a ball into the end zone that was picked off by Reed, who sprinted an NFL-record 108 yards for a touchdown that increased Baltimore's lead to 29-7.

Baltimore also scored on a 53-yard pass from Flacco to Mark Clayton, a 1-yard run by Le'Ron McClain and a 44-yard field goal by Matt Stover.

After Flacco's first TD pass, Philadelphia's Quintin Demps ran Steve Hauschka's kickoff back 100 yards for a touchdown - the Eagles' only score.

Baltimore took a 12-7 lead in the third quarter when Jameel McClain blocked Sab Rocca's punt attempt out the back of the end zone for a safety.

It was the second safety of the season for McClain, who became the first Raven to record two safeties.