McNabb, Eagles Keep On Rolling

Donovan McNabb’s passing is just fine. His dance moves need work.

McNabb completed 16 of 25 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their sixth straight victory, 33-20, over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

New Orleans’ Deuce McAllister had 184 yards rushing, including scoring runs of 76 and 22 yards, for his eighth straight game with more than 100 yards. Aaron Brooks threw for 287 yards for the Saints, who had won four of five.

McNabb, the NFL’s worst-rated passer through six games, has been outstanding in the last five games, completing 93 of 142 passes (65.5%) for 1,224 yards and six touchdowns.

His two-yard toss to Jon Ritchie in the fourth quarter gave the Eagles a 33-14 lead. McNabb ran toward Philadelphia’s sideline after the pass, threw his arms in the air and kicked his right leg out in a gyration that likely won’t catch on.

The Eagles (8-3) have won eight of nine after starting the season with consecutive losses at home.

The two-time NFC East champions are tied with Dallas for first place. They’ll play Dallas in Philadelphia on Dec. 7.

Desperate to stay in the playoff race, New Orleans (5-6) committed three key turnovers, including one in Philadelphia’s end zone in the first quarter.

After a 23-yard screen pass from Brooks to McAllister put the ball at Philadelphia’s one-yard line, McAllister was stopped on first down, although the head linesman originally ruled that he had scored. On second down, Brooks fumbled, and Troy Vincent recovered in the end zone for a touchback for the Eagles.

One play after McNabb scrambled 34 yards to the Saints’ 15, Brian Westbrook ran 15 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 10-0 lead.

“The turnovers beat us,” Saint Coach Jim Haslett said.

Eagles kicker David Akers had field goals of 36, 41, 42 and 33 yards.

McAllister had 173 yards rushing and a franchise-record 237 all-purpose yards against the Atlanta Falcons last week. He has rushed for more than 100 yards 16 times since the start of last season, the most in the league.

“We moved the ball effectively, but had too many turnovers,” McAllister said.