Eagles have come a long way since opener

PHIILADELPHIA -- The score was tied late in the game, the ball was loose inside the 10-yard line and victory could've been a fumble recovery away.

The Philadelphia Eagles came that close to beating the St. Louis Rams in Week 1, before losing 20-17 in overtime at Veterans Stadium. But these aren't the same Eagles that play St. Louis in the NFC championship game Sunday. They're better, especially on offense.

"We've improved a lot," quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "The confidence factor is definitely there for us. The timing and chemistry has helped us out. Whether it's running the ball or passing the ball, you can just see it in guys' eyes that no matter how many times we touch the ball, we feel we can get it in the end zone."

In the last three games, excluding a meaningless victory over Tampa Bay the final week of the season in which the starters didn't play, McNabb and the rest of his offensive teammates have been at their best, averaging 29.3 points against three tough defenses -- the Giants, Buccaneers and Bears. They scored 33 last week against Chicago, which allowed the fewest points in the NFL.

During that span, McNabb has completed 53 of 104 passes for 726 yards and seven TDs, and has 142 rushing yards and one TD for a quarterback rating of 92.1. The Eagles also are averaging 118.3 yards rushing, getting more of a balance than they had most of the season.

"The last three or four weeks it has just jelled, and it's a good time to jell," coach Andy Reid said. "You are hoping it all comes together by the time you hit that last quarter of the season. If you are in the run in the last quarter, then you have to put that extra push on, things have to come together if you are going to take it into the playoffs. I thought we're very capable of that happening and it has happened."

The offense wasn't quite as efficient against St. Louis in the opener -- until the fourth quarter. Facing an overhauled defense that featured a new defensive coordinator and eight new starters, McNabb threw two TD passes to Cecil Martin in the final 10 minutes, bringing the Eagles back from a 17-3 deficit.

After tying the game with 4:04 left, the Eagles had an opportunity to take the lead when Aveion Cason fumbled the ensuing kickoff. But rookies Quinton Caver and William Hampton tried to pick the ball up instead of falling on it and came up empty. The Rams recovered at their 5, and went on to win in overtime.

"We felt like we gave it to them," cornerback Troy Vincent said.

They sure did.

Center Hank Fraley, playing his first game, and McNabb fumbled the exchange on the first snap, and the Rams recovered at Philadelphia's 12. Marshall Faulk scored two plays later for a 7-0 lead.

Late in the second quarter, tight end Chad Lewis fumbled after a 14-yard catch, and Rams safety Adam Archuleta recovered and returned it to Philadelphia's 30. Kurt Warner then hit Ernie Conwell for a 2-yard TD pass and a 14-3 lead.

"We basically gave them points instead of letting them earn it," Reid said.

If the Eagles that Sunday, they'll lose again, no matter how far the offense has come.