It’s Anything but Routine

Duce Staley ran toward the back of the end zone, took a lob pass from Donovan McNabb and finger-rolled it over the goal post.

Everything worked for Staley and McNabb on Sunday, even their post-touchdown celebration.

Staley had 146 yards rushing and one touchdown, and McNabb threw for three touchdowns, and ran for another to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a 48-17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

It was Staley’s first start since injuring his right shoulder in Week 2, and just his third since going down with a season-ending foot injury in Week 5 last season.

“It was a great feeling getting back in the mix, getting touches,” Staley said. “Coming off a serious injury, going through rehab, playing the first game then getting hurt in the next game, you start second-guessing yourself. It gave me a lot of confidence getting the start.”

Philadelphia (5-3) scored on six consecutive possessions, including its last five in the first half. The Vikings (3-5) have lost their last two games by a lopsided margins. Tampa Bay beat Minnesota, 41-14, on Oct. 28.

Staley had 117 total yards in the first half. His 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave the Eagles a 38-10 lead, and put him over the 100-yard mark for the first time since he ran for 201 against Dallas in the 2000 season opener.

“Duce had a lot of yards and it’s a tribute to his toughness, and his resilience coming back off all the injuries,” Eagle Coach Andy Reid said.

Minnesota didn’t score until Daunte Culpepper threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Cris Carter with fiveseconds left in the first half, cutting the deficit to 31-10.

The Vikings also allowed six sacks, committed four turnovers, and had only 117 yards in the first half.

“This team is not competing the way I would like,” Carter said. “If you go out there and scrap and fight and still get smashed, OK. But we didn’t and that’s upsetting to me.”

Philadelphia had struggled on offense in recent weeks, averaging only 13.6 points, 12 first downs and 247.3 total yards in the last three games. They had 31 points, 19 first downs and 269 yards in the first half.