Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Donovan McNabb was officially named as the starting quarterback for the
Philadelphia Eagles for Saturday night's divisional playoff game against the
Atlanta Falcons at Veterans Stadium.
McNabb suffered a fractured right fibula on November 17 and sat out the Eagles' final six regular season games. The Eagles won five of those six with, first, Koy Detmer, and then A.J. Feeley, at quarterback. Detmer replaced McNabb, but suffered a dislocated left elbow in his first start. Feeley started the last five games, including the December 28th 10-7 overtime loss to the New York Giants.
"He's worked very hard at getting himself back into shape, both his legs and his arm," said Eagles head coach Andy Reid. "He feels very comfortable right now. He's pain free and has looked sharp between last week and today."
The Eagles finished the regular season 12-4 and have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Falcons are a surprise opponent for the Eagles, after Atlanta upset the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field this past Saturday night.
McNabb, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and runner-up for NFL MVP in 2000, completed 211-of-361 passes for 2,289 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions in 10 games this season. He also ran for 460 yards and six touchdowns.
"I'm able to do a lot of things that I've been doing even before I got hurt," said McNabb. "I've learned a lot obviously after being out. I've got a lot of things working in a positive faze right now. I'm just excited."
Saturday night's matchup will be between two of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, as Michael Vick leads the Falcons. Vick made his first playoff start a memorable one, throwing for 117 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 64 yards, as the Falcons stunned the Packers, 27-7.
"Obviously, you have to make some plays with your legs," said McNabb. "The speed in which he's displayed, nobody really in the quarterback position has ever had that much speed. Obviously what we have to do is maybe keep him in the pocket and have him just beat us by throwing."
