Cunningham’s Choice to Start: McMahon

PHILADELPHIA — You’re Rich Kotite, coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

A week ago, you benched your star quarterback, Randall Cunningham, announced you were giving him a week off to get over the slump that had crippled your offense, and then you handed the ball to veteran Jim McMahon.

You promised one and all that Cunningham would be back next week.

But McMahon confused the issue by leading your team to a 31-10 victory over the Raiders on Sunday with a brilliant overall effort to improve your team’s record to 6-3.

So what do you do now?

Start McMahon next week.

Says who?

Says Cunningham.

“I think Mac should start next week,” Cunningham said. “I just don’t want to step back in the lineup and get pulled again. No quarterback can play when he has to keep looking over his shoulder. During the game, I was thinking, ‘If I throw it in the dirt next week, am I going to get benched again.’ ”

Cunningham was McMahon’s biggest cheerleader Sunday. But Cunningham lent more than mere emotional support.

During the second quarter, he noticed receiver Fred Barnett was open on a pattern into the end zone that the Eagles call their “go route.”

Barnett had already told McMahon in the huddle that he would be open.

McMahon hadn’t paid attention. But when Cunningham talked, McMahon listened.

And he completed a 42-yard touchdown pass to Barnett to give Philadelphia a 17-3 halftime lead.

As for Kotite, he left no doubt who his starter will be next week.

Asked about it during the postgame news conference Sunday, Kotite replied: “Cunningham is playing next week. Next question.”