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FLASH RECAP:
Akers, who aggravates his right hamstring on the game's opening kickoff and is sidelined the first two quarters, isn't the only Eagle to carry his team despite injury. Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb, who enters the game with chest and groin injuries, rallies the Eagles (2-1) in the second half with touchdown passes to Terrell Owens (4 yards) and Brian Westbrook (5 yards). McNabb throws for 266 yards on 22-of-26 passing during the second half. Oakland's Kerry Collins is 24-of-42 passing for 345 yards and two touchdowns. Collins' 27-yard TD pass to Doug Gabriel with 2:17 left and Sebastian Janikowski's PAT deadlocks the score at 27. McNabb then drives the Eagles 75 yards in 11 plays to the Oakland 5-yard line. Akers, who is successful on two PATs earlier in the second half, makes the aforementioned 23-yarder. "You know it's going to hurt for one second and then the game is over," Akers tells the media after the Eagles' victory. "My whole leg hurts right now." Despite the gritty effort against the defending NFC champions, the Raiders (0-3) continue to self-destruct with 13 penalties for 94 yards and two missed field goal attempts by Janikowski from 49 and 37 yards. Two of Oakland's penalties — defensive holding on strong safety Derrick Gibson and roughing the passer on linebacker DeLawrence Grant — lead to Philadelphia touchdowns. Oakland opens a season with three losses for the sixth time in franchise history. The Raiders suffer their 17th road loss in the past 19 games dating back to Dec. 8, 2002.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
RB Brian Westbrook — Has 208 combined yards (68 rushing, 140 receiving) and a TD. K David Akers — Despite a hamstring injury, the three-time Pro Bowler nails the game-winning field goal from 23 yards with nine seconds left. MLB Jeremiah Trotter — Has 10 solo tackles and three passes defensed. The fired-up Trotter spearheads an Eagles defense that stuffs the Raiders running game (21 yards on 22 carries). WR Terrell Owens — Scores his 100th career TD on a 4-yard reception early in the second half. T.O. has catches of 15, 14 and 7 yards on the Eagles' final drive to set David Akers' game-winning field goal. Owens finishes with 9 catches for 80 yards.
TE Courtney Anderson — Has 5 catches for 100 yards, both career highs. The second-year player from San Jose State contributes catches on three of four Oakland scoring drives. WR Doug Gabriel — His 27-yard TD catch late in the fourth quarter narrows the Philly lead to 20-19. DT Warren Sapp — Contributes his fourth career interception (his first since 2002) and two passes defensed.
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GOAT:
TURNING POINT:
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THEY SAID IT:
Raiders QB Kerry Collins
"I'm a little banged-up. It would be great to go out and not have any injuries, but in life, you have adversities."
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb
DID YOU KNOW?:
With the victory, the Eagles are 14-3 in regular-season games at Lincoln Financial Field. The NFC East team played 31 seasons at Veterans Stadium before moving into its new home in 2003.
Eagles kicker David Akers (2) kicks the game-winning field goal against the Raiders.
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