Shady scores in the clutch

When the Sunday Night Football schedule was released, no doubt more than a few observers had this game circled on their calendars. But last night’s national television audience was treated to a sloppy back-and-forth affair — filled with penalties, punts and poor passing.

The Eagles appeared poised to blow out the Bears after scoring 10 unanswered points on their first two possessions. But, the team allowed Chicago to hang around by committing ill-advised penalties, turning the football over and allowing the Bears’ pass-rush to get to Donovan McNabb.

A pair of Robbie Gould field goals kept Chicago in the game. Then Bears quarterback Jay Cutler found tight end Kellen Davis for a 15-yard touchdown pass to give Chicago a 20-17 lead. It certainly looked like the Andy Reid’s record would fall to 0-8 under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football.

However, that wasn’t the case. The Eagles turned to the youngsters — LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson — to hold off the Bears. Jackson caught a 48-yard bomb for a score, and McCoy gave the Eagles the lead for good with a 10-yard touchdown run.