Eagles... 38 Saints... 23

NEW ORLEANS -- Donovan McNabb passed for 263 yards and three touchdowns Sunday, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 38-23 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

Despite the loss, the Saints (7-8) stayed alive in the playoff race after Washington defeated Minnesota on Sunday night.

McNabb is no longer showing any effects of his rehabilitation from knee surgery over the summer or a midseason ankle sprain.

His 40-yard scramble on the third play led to a bizarre touchdown after his fumble was recovered in the end zone by Kevin Curtis. McNabb also used his scrambling ability to neutralize the Saints’ pass rush.

The Saints’ Drew Brees threw for 289 yards and a touchdown but lost his best receiver when Marques Colston suffered a bruised chest in the first half.

Quoteworthy: “He’s rounding back into being his old self, and these last two weeks are proof of that.” -- Brian Westbrook, Eagles running back, on Donovan McNabb