Just Call Him Captain Comeback

Another entertaining leave-it-til-the-fourth-quarter double-you for the Birds this week.  This didn't feel especially awesome in real time (especially in the third quarter), but Donovan McNabb and the Eagles defense demonstrated that they are, in fact, capable of grinding out a close game. 

The Redskins were certainly game this afternoon, but they crippled themselves with some tough penalties (it's nice to see opponents hook us up like that) and Jason Campbell's third-down magic didn't last all four quarters.  Tough season for Redskins fans.

Some quick-twitch post-game thoughts:

• While we should be terrified by the DeSean Jackson concussion (can someone dig up some quack pseudo-science that argues that 22-year-old brains recover from concussions more quickly than 30-year-old brains?), Jeremy Maclin made two huge plays on the game-winning drive, and seemed to be flashing an extra gear's worth of speed all day.  And here I thought it was just the CamelCased One that McNabb couldn't overthrow. 
• There was a certain symmetry to the Redskins' makeshift offensive line and backfield facing off against the Eagles' makeshift linebacking crew -- sure looked like Trotter played a lot of snaps.  Tip of the cap to Tracy White as well.  
• I think we're almost at the point where we can forgive David Akers for the Oakland game.  He was clutch again today, and converting kicks is a big part of winning close games.  I also thought that his final kickoff was absolutely perfect (and was capped off by a great play from a gloriously unpenalized Moise Fokou).  It felt really good to pin the Skins at the 11 for that final drive.   
• We need some data on how well Jason Campbell plays against the Eagles, specifically on third down.  Skins fans probably don't see him that way, but as a guy who watches him a couple times a year, he just seems to frustrate the Birds' defense to no end.
• If the Birds had lost, I suspect that Andy Reid would have had to spend an even greater proportion of his press conference apologizing for his failed opening gambit.  As it is, let's just all have a nice laugh about it and move on. 
• All in all, I'm a great mood about the win.  It was a bit dark after McNabb threw the pick at the start of the fourth quarter, but I'm going to argue that it made the final result all the more charming. 

Enjoy your evening.  Go Birds.