The Philadelphia Eagles got off on the wrong foot even before they faced the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 13. When the Eagles benched DeSean Jackson(notes) for missing a team meeting the previous day, Philadelphia fans like myself had to be weary off the bat.

We still thought it wouldn’t affect the Birds’ ability to defeat the 2-6 Cardinals, especially when a loss would have destroyed what was left of the season. But now that the Eagles have suffered a 21-17 defeat, the temptation is to blame Jackson for getting himself benched or Andy Reid for sitting him in the first place.

With Jackson out and Jeremy Maclin(notes) getting himself injured early, Michael Vick(notes) certainly didn’t have reliable weapons. And without Jackson to use as a decoy, it could have given the Cardinals’ secondary more room to roam. However, his benching is just one more scapegoat that the Eagles cannot use as an excuse.

Jackson wasn’t the one who threw balls off target that neither he nor any other receiver could have caught. Vick was the cause of that, as he never found a groove and was wild with the ball all day long. And it wasn’t Jackson who still decided to let Vick keep throwing the ball away instead of letting one of the NFL’s leading rushers take control of the offense. Reid did that by letting LeSean McCoy(notes) get just 14 carries while Vick heaved the ball 34 times – although he didn’t have Jackson or accuracy on his side.

Jackson wasn’t the one who let Cardinals’ backup quarterback John Skelton(notes) throw for an inexplicable 315 yards. He also didn’t let Larry Fitzgerald(notes) run wild in the fourth quarter to catch tapped balls and set up tying and game winning touchdowns. Those were the sins of the Philadelphia defense – as if it didn’t have enough to atone for during fourth quarters.

As I stated earlier, there was little reason to suspect that losing Jackson would be enough to lose to the 2-6 Cardinals. Even without him, the Eagles should have had the bare minimum to beat an Arizona team that didn’t even have Kevin Kolb(notes) in action to get revenge. Even if the Eagles had Jackson, there was reason to believe that it wouldn’t have turned out any better for them, especially with his lack of big plays all season.

It wasn’t like Philadelphia was winning with Jackson on the field, and now there is less reason to suggest that it can win when he comes back. One player cannot win or lose a game – although the Peyton Manning(notes)-less Indianapolis Colts could probably poke holes in that argument. But with the Eagles, it took a team effort – or a lack of one – to not bail Jackson or Reid out for their latest controversy.

Robert Dougherty is a life-long Philadelphia resident who has followed the Eagles since he was eight years old.

Other stories by this contributor

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Well, that’ll do it for the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles. Another blown fourth-quarter lead at home to a team they should have beaten. Sunday’s loss to the John Skelton Arizona Cardinals was their worst yet, and it dropped their record to 3-6. You don’t fall apart and lose to the Cardinals at home and rebound to make the playoffs. Not when so much has already gone wrong and you arrived at the must-win-every-game portion of your season three weeks ago. The Eagles are going to have to win every one of their remaining seven games just to have a chance to make the postseason, and the problem with that is that they’re just not very good at winning games.

No team loses games the way the Eagles do. In some ways, no team ever has. Shortly after the game ended, Reuben Frank of CSN Philadelphia tweeted that the Eagles had just become the first team in NFL history to blow four fourth-quarter leads at home in a single season. And if that sounds incredible on its own, add in the fact that Sunday’s was just the Eagles’ fifth home game of the year. They’ve led in the fourth quarter of every home game they’ve played this year and are 1-4 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Nine games into a season that packed so much promise, the thing at which the Eagles seem best — the one thing at which they truly seem to excel, on a historic level — is losing. For all of the glittering resumes, big contracts and loud fanfare that accompanied the very good-looking pieces of this roster into town, the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles are going to go down in history as a bunch of losers.

You want to talk about the particulars of this latest rotten day? OK. It started before most of us were awake with the news that wide receiver DeSean Jackson would miss the game because he missed a Saturday team meeting. Jackson was ruled inactive for the game and, according to his spokesman, ordered to stay home, which apparently aggravated him. The statement Jackson’s spokesman released during the game called the stay-home order “totally inappropriate” and labeled it part of the team’s ongoing contract dispute with Jackson. Maybe true, but the core issue is that Jackson missed a meeting at a critical time of the season, and winners don’t do that.

So that’s what was going on before Michael Vick even took the field for one of the worst games of his career. With Jackson watching on TV at home, Vick threw two interceptions, had one overturned on replay and another called back for holding. He averaged 3.8 yards per pass attempt and never looked right. It’s entirely possible he was affected by Jackson’s absence and the in-game injuries that limited Jeremy Maclin. But if that’s the case, it’s an indictment of Vick himself. The Eagles have plenty of offensive weapons — certainly enough with which to beat the Cardinals — and even if it meant constant dump-offs to LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek, Vick should have been able to make it work.

In the end, he didn’t. Not when it counted. Not in the fourth quarter, when games are won and lost and quarterbacks forge their legacies. Not once this year has Vick led the Eagles to a fourth-quarter comeback. Not once has he toughened up when it mattered most and delivered the kind of clutch plays or throws that Eli Manning or even Tony Romo have in their teams’ big wins. Vick has been handed the keys to this franchise, and he keeps finding ways to stall out on the final lap while the John Skeltons of the world drive right past him.

And he’s not alone. The same thing can be said of the Eagles’ defense. Not once this year has the Eagles’ defense made a big stop on an opponent’s would-be game-winning fourth-quarter drive. The receiver always gets behind the cornerback — or is given too much room to make the catch. The Eagles never snag the key turnover the way their opponents always seem to. I and others wrote last week that the Eagles aren’t tough enough, on either side of the ball. They snapped back, vigorously denying accusations that they were “soft.” But then, provided with a perfect opportunity to prove themselves right and all of the rest of us wrong, they failed again. As they always do.

People want heads to roll, and maybe some will. Maybe Juan Castillo can’t survive as defensive coordinator. Maybe Jackson’s out the door after this year. (Maybe he was anyway). But the wholesale changes for which the fans clamor remain unlikely. Andy Reid isn’t gong anywhere. Vick isn’t going anywhere. The so-far-disappointing Nnamdi Asomugha isn’t going anywhere. The only good news for all of these guys is that it appears their offseason is going to be very long, and offer them ample time to reflect on the many, many things they did wrong to cost themselves their dream season.

When the Eagles look back on this season, they’re going to see a lot of opportunities to make the big play, to prove their toughness, to establish themselves as winners and not losers. And in nearly every single case, they’re going to see that they let those opportunities slip away. That will be their punishment for this inexcusable mess of a season, and it will have been well earned.

As expected, quarterback Kevin Kolb (foot) is among the Cardinals inactive. He’ll miss his second consecutive game.

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The team’s best two receiving tight ends, Todd Heap (hamstring) and Rob Housler (groin) also are inactive.

The other inactive players are: WR Stephen Williams, safety Kerry Rhodes, linebacker Jerry Porter and offensive lineman D’Anthony Batiste.

Eagles receiver and punt returner DeSean Jackson will be inactive today against the Cardinals because he missed a team meeting on Saturday, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News.

That’s a break for the Cardinals, obviously, because Jackson is the Eagles’ best deep threat. On the Eagles depth chart, Jason Avant is listed as Jackson’s backup.

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Two people familiar with the situation said Philadelphia
Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson(notes) is inactive against Arizona on Sunday
because he missed a team meeting.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the team did not
officially announce the punishment. Jackson skipped a meeting on Saturday. It
wasn’t the first time Jackson has been late or missed a meeting, one person
said, calling this the “final straw.” He has 29 catches for 503 yards and two
touchdowns this season.

Jason Avant(notes) replaces Jackson in the starting lineup. Free safety Nate Allen(notes)
(concussion) and left guard Evan Mathis(notes) (toe) also are inactive. Rookie Jaiquawn
Jarrett(notes) takes Allen’s spot and King Dunlap(notes) fills in for Mathis.

For Arizona, quarterback Kevin Kolb(notes) is inactive for the second straight game
because of turf toe. John Skelton(notes) starts in his place. Kolb began last season as
Philadelphia’s No. 1 quarterback, but lost his job to Michael Vick(notes) after
sustaining a concussion in Week 1. He was traded for cornerback Dominique
Rodgers-Cromartie(notes) and a draft pick.

Jackson is in the final year of his rookie contract and held out for 11 days
during training camp.

Jackson had 110 catches for 2,223 yards and 15 TDs as a receiver the last
two years and already owns the franchise record with four punt returns for
scores.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

When the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Arizona Cardinals today, they will aparently do so without the services of their best receiver. According to Les Bowen of Philly.com, Jackson missed a special teams meeting on Saturday morning and is listed as inactive.

Jackson has claimed that he slept through his alarm, and that’s why he wasn’t in attendance.

It’s unknown whether dissatisfaction was another root cause behind Jackson missing the meeting, but the 24-year-old receiver has long been unhappy with his contract — he’s in the last year of his rookie deal and making just $600,000 in base salary. Team president Joe Banner has said that Jackson is entitled to a contract extension, but confusion regarding the new collective bargaining agreement prevented that from happening.

While it’s difficult to excuse any player from missing a meeting without prior notice, you could understand why the Eagles’ reasoning wouldn’t necessarily wash with Jackson. The Eagles were by far the most aggressive team in free agency once a new CBA was reached, spending big bucks on star players like Nnamdi Asomugha(notes) and Cullen Jenkins(notes).  Results have been mixed, and the Eagles currently stand at 3-5, right down at the bottom of the NFC East with the plummeting Washington Redskins.

So far this season, Jackson hasn’t done much to forward his case on the field — he’s caught just 29 passes for 503 yards and two touchdowns in 2011, and those are not elite receiver numbers. The formerly elite returner fumbled a punt that led to a Chicago Bears touchdown in last Monday’s loss.  He also caught just two passes on eight targets against Chicago.

“Of course, everybody in this locker room can say there’s something they can get better at, so I’m not sitting here saying there’s nothing I can get better at, but at the end of the day, I’m putting my best effort up and I’m trying my hardest,” Jackson said after that game.

The Eagles probably won’t need Jackson to beat the moribund Cardinals at home, but the way the team’s been playing overall, an “all hands on deck” mentality would serve this team much better, and it’s the one thing this team hasn’t really enjoyed this season.

Related: Nnamdi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins, DeSean Jackson, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, A Higher Level of Nonsense

The Philadelphia Eagles have a bye in Week Seven. That means fantasy owners don’t have to worry about how any members of the team will perform this week. With the bye week here, it is a good time to evaluate which Eagles players have stood out the most so far in the 2011 season. In terms of offensive players, the Eagles have gotten some big numbers from several players. Here are the five Eagles that have stood out the most through the first six games of the season in terms of fantasy numbers.

1. LeSean McCoy(notes)

McCoy has been a superstar so far in 2011. Through six games, McCoy has run for 569 yards and six touchdowns. That is all the more impressive when you consider the fact that McCoy was non-factor in one game, getting only nine carries for 18 yards. Generally speaking, he has been the most consistent fantasy player on the team. To make him even more appealing to fantasy owners, McCoy also has a pair of receiving touchdowns.

2. Michael Vick(notes)

Vick has already thrown more interceptions than he did in all of 2010. However, he has also put up some big numbers on offense. Vick has already passed the 1,500 yard mark and thrown nine touchdown passes. He has also picked up 372 yards on the ground. Vick’s interception total was boosted by the terrible game against the Buffalo Bills. Many of his picks were also the fault of the receivers. Overall, he has been a quality fantasy starter.

3. Jeremy Maclin(notes)

Maclin has been a strong receiver for the most part during the season. His 37 receptions, 489 yards, and three receiving touchdowns all top the team. Maclin has blossomed into one of the leading receivers in the NFL. His fumble might have hurt some fantasy owners, but Maclin is still a viable starter every week. He has benefited from a healthy Vick getting the ball in big situations.

4. DeSean Jackson(notes)

Jackson has been up and down. But when he is on, he is good. Overall, Jackson has good numbers among NFL receivers. He was pretty quiet during the home losses to the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers but has found his stride since then. Jackson only has two receiving touchdowns but has made up for that with a lot of yards. Like Maclin, Jackson is a great choice to start because he can post a big game at any time.

* – Mark Paul is a regular fantasy football player and fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Read more: Buffalo Bills, Football, Philadelphia Eagles, Turnovers, Local Pro, NFL

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – Running back Fred Jackson and an opportunistic Buffalo Bills defense combined to defeat the slow-starting, underachieving and turnover-prone Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Jackson finished with a combined 196 yards from scrimmage and scored on a 5-yard run in a 31-24 victory. Linebacker Nick Barnett had two of Buffalo’s four interceptions.

After scoring on a 31-yard interception return in the second quarter, Barnett sealed the victory by grabbing Michael Vick’s tipped pass intended for Jason Avant with 1:49 remaining at the Bills 26. It came as the Eagles were attempting to tie the game and overcome a 21-point second-half deficit.

The Bills took over and never gave the ball back. The game was decided on – what else? – another Eagles miscue.

Facing fourth-and-inches at midfield with 1:23 left, Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was successful in getting Eagles defensive end Juqua Parker to jump offside. That gave Buffalo a new set of downs and a chance to run out the clock after Philadelphia had used up its timeouts.

The Bills (4-1) bounced back from blowing a 14-point lead in a 23-20 loss at Cincinnati last weekend. Buffalo has matched its best start since 2008.

The Eagles (1-4) continue to unravel. And not even Vick’s suggestion of dropping their “Dream Team” label this week has put a stop to this ongoing nightmare.

Vick went 26 of 40 for 315 yards passing and two touchdowns, but was undone by a career-worst four interceptions. He added 90 yards rushing give him 4,948 for his career, passing Randall Cunningham for most yards by an NFL quarterback.

Philadelphia has lost four in a row – it’s longest skid since 2005 – and is off to its worst start since 1999, coach Andy Reid’s first season.

The Bills rolled to a 28-7 lead early in the third quarter on Brad Smith’s 6-yard scamper.

The Eagles rallied back by scoring 17 points on three of their next four drives before their sloppiness resurfaced on their final possession.

Facing third-and-3 at the Bills 29, Vick attempted a swing pass to Avant at the left sideline. Cornerback Drayton Florence got his hands on the ball, which tipped off Avant as he was falling backward. Barnett then scooped it up before the ball hit the ground.

The Bills defense made up for allowing 489 yards offense by forcing five takeaways, including a fumble recovery. Buffalo now has 12 interceptions – one more than it had all last year. And the defense has scored touchdowns on interception returns in three straight games, matching Buffalo’s best stretch since its inaugural season in 1960.

Safety George Wilson led the defense with 11 tackles, an interception and broke up three passes.

Vick had three of his first four possessions end with interceptions.

After his third interception to Barnett, Vick walked off the field with his head down before being consoled on the sideline by several teammates and coach Andy Reid, who put his arm on the quarterback’s shoulder. As Vick returned to the field, guard Danny Watkins patted Vick on the helmet.

LeSean McCoy scored on a 10-yard run, while Vick hit DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin for touchdown passes.

The Eagles offense didn’t get much help from its high-priced defense, which had difficulty tackling in allowing Buffalo 331 yards offense and 21 first downs.

Receiver Donald Jones set up Jackson’s game-opening touchdown with an 18-yard catch-and-run, in which he broke three tackles before being brought down at the Eagles 6.

And they were totally caught off guard on a screen pass to Jackson, who ran free for 49 yards to set up the Bills’ second score, David Nelson’s 6-yard catch.

Fitzpatrick went 21 of 27 for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. —  

Just when it looked as though it couldn’t get any worse for the underachieving Philadelphia Eagles, it did.

Now the most-hyped team in the preseason finds itself with one of the worst records in the NFL after a 31-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

After squandering fourth-quarter leads in each of their past three games, the Eagles were in position to rally from a 21-point deficit against the upstart Bills. But Michael Vick’s fourth interception of the game late in the fourth quarter gave the Bills the ball, and Juqua Parker jumped offsides with 1:23 left on a fourth-and-inches play on Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s hard-count to allow the Bills to run out the clock and secure a win over the free-falling Eagles.

Philadelphia’s 1-4 record was expected to be reversed at this point. Instead, they’re a team that commits too many turnovers and penalties, and isn’t opportunistic enough on offense when they get deep into the opposition’s territory.

“I’ve never been a part of anything where you feel like things are snowballing on you,” Eagles tight end Brent Celek said. “You feel like when you’re in the game, things just continually feel like they’re not falling your way. But that’s up to us, we can turn it around.”

Vick went 26 of 40 for 315 yards passing and two touchdowns, but was undone by his career-worst four interception day. He added 90 yards rushing give him 4,948 for his career, passing Randall Cunningham for most yards by an NFL quarterback.

Philadelphia has lost four in a row _ its longest skid since 2005 _ and is off to its worst start since 1999, coach Andy Reid’s first season.

“We’ve just got to put it all together for four quarters,” Vick said. “At this point, it’s out of the coach’s hands. I think it’s the players, because we’re the ones out there.”

Buffalo running back Fred Jackson finished with a combined 196 yards from scrimmage and scored on a 5-yard run, and linebacker Nick Barnett had two of Buffalo’s four interceptions.

After scoring on a 31-yard interception return in the second quarter, Barnett sealed the victory by grabbing Vick’s tipped pass intended for Jason Avant with 1:49 remaining at the Bills 26.

The Bills took over and never gave the ball back. The game was decided on _ what else? _ another Eagles miscue.

Parker’s gaffe gave the Bills a new set of downs and a chance to run out the clock after Philadelphia had used up its timeouts.

The Bills (4-1) bounced back from blowing a 14-point lead in a 23-20 loss at Cincinnati last weekend. Buffalo has matched its best start since 2008.

“We’re putting ourselves in a tremendous opportunity,” Jackson said. “We still have a lot of work to do, but we’re happy where we are right now.”

The Bills rolled to a 28-7 lead early in the third quarter on Brad Smith’s 6-yard scamper.

The Eagles rallied back by scoring 17 points on three of their next four drives before their sloppiness resurfaced on their final possession.

The Bills defense made up for allowing 489 yards offense by forcing five takeaways, including a fumble recovery. Buffalo now has 12 interceptions _ one more than it had all last year. And the defense has scored touchdowns on interception returns in three straight games, matching Buffalo’s best stretch since its inaugural season in 1960.

“Guys are doing a great job making plays on the ball,” Barnett said.

Safety George Wilson led the defense with 11 tackles, an interception and broke up three passes.

Vick had three of his first four possessions end with interceptions.

After his third interception to Barnett, Vick walked off the field with his head down before being consoled on the sideline by several teammates and Reid, who put his arm on the quarterback’s shoulder. As Vick returned to the field, guard Danny Watkins patted Vick on the helmet.

LeSean McCoy scored on a 10-yard run, while Vick hit DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin for touchdown passes.

The Eagles’ offense didn’t get much help from its high-priced defense, which had difficulty tackling in allowing Buffalo 331 yards offense and 21 first downs.

Receiver Donald Jones set up Jackson’s game-opening touchdown with an 18-yard catch-and-run, in which he broke three tackles before being brought down at the Eagles 6.

And they were totally caught off guard on a screen pass to Jackson, who ran free for 49 yards to set up the Bills’ second score, David Nelson’s 6-yard catch.

Fitzpatrick went 21 of 27 for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

After squandering fourth-quarter leads in each of their past three games, the Eagles were in position to rally from a 21-point deficit against the upstart Bills. But Michael Vick’s fourth interception of the game late in the fourth quarter gave the Bills the ball, and Juqua Parker jumped offsides with 1:23 left on a fourth-and-inches play on Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s hard-count to allow the Bills to run out the clock and secure a win over the free-falling Eagles.

Philadelphia’s 1-4 record was expected to be reversed at this point. Instead, they’re a team that commits too many turnovers and penalties, and isn’t opportunistic enough on offense when they get deep into the opposition’s territory.

“I’ve never been a part of anything where you feel like things are snowballing on you,” Eagles tight end Brent Celek said. “You feel like when you’re in the game, things just continually feel like they’re not falling your way. But that’s up to us, we can turn it around.”

Vick went 26 of 40 for 315 yards passing and two touchdowns, but was undone by his career-worst four interception day. He added 90 yards rushing give him 4,948 for his career, passing Randall Cunningham for most yards by an NFL quarterback.

Philadelphia has lost four in a row — its longest skid since 2005 — and is off to its worst start since 1999, coach Andy Reid’s first season.

“We’ve just got to put it all together for four quarters,” Vick said. “At this point, it’s out of the coach’s hands. I think it’s the players, because we’re the ones out there.”

Buffalo running back Fred Jackson finished with a combined 196 yards from scrimmage and scored on a 5-yard run, and linebacker Nick Barnett had two of Buffalo’s four interceptions.

After scoring on a 31-yard interception return in the second quarter, Barnett sealed the victory by grabbing Vick’s tipped pass intended for Jason Avant with 1:49 remaining at the Bills 26.

The Bills took over and never gave the ball back. The game was decided on — what else? — another Eagles miscue.

Parker’s gaffe gave the Bills a new set of downs and a chance to run out the clock after Philadelphia had used up its timeouts.

The Bills (4-1) bounced back from blowing a 14-point lead in a 23-20 loss at Cincinnati last weekend. Buffalo has matched its best start since 2008.

“We’re putting ourselves in a tremendous opportunity,” Jackson said. “We still have a lot of work to do, but we’re happy where we are right now.”

The Bills rolled to a 28-7 lead early in the third quarter on Brad Smith’s 6-yard scamper.

The Eagles rallied back by scoring 17 points on three of their next four drives before their sloppiness resurfaced on their final possession.

The Bills defense made up for allowing 489 yards offense by forcing five takeaways, including a fumble recovery. Buffalo now has 12 interceptions — one more than it had all last year. And the defense has scored touchdowns on interception returns in three straight games, matching Buffalo’s best stretch since its inaugural season in 1960.

“Guys are doing a great job making plays on the ball,” Barnett said.

Safety George Wilson led the defense with 11 tackles, an interception and broke up three passes.

Vick had three of his first four possessions end with interceptions.

After his third interception to Barnett, Vick walked off the field with his head down before being consoled on the sideline by several teammates and Reid, who put his arm on the quarterback’s shoulder. As Vick returned to the field, guard Danny Watkins patted Vick on the helmet.

LeSean McCoy scored on a 10-yard run, while Vick hit DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin for touchdown passes.

The Eagles’ offense didn’t get much help from its high-priced defense, which had difficulty tackling in allowing Buffalo 331 yards offense and 21 first downs.

Receiver Donald Jones set up Jackson’s game-opening touchdown with an 18-yard catch-and-run, in which he broke three tackles before being brought down at the Eagles 6.

And they were totally caught off guard on a screen pass to Jackson, who ran free for 49 yards to set up the Bills’ second score, David Nelson’s 6-yard catch.

Fitzpatrick went 21 of 27 for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP)—Turns out the Buffalo Bills didn’t need to
actually contain quarterback Michael Vick(notes) and the Philadelphia Eagles.

All they had to do was watch and wait for this so-called “Dream Team” to
start unraveling all on its own.

Running back Fred Jackson(notes) combined for 196 yards from scrimmage and a
touchdown, and linebacker Nick Barnett(notes) had two of Buffalo’s four interceptions
to secure a 31-24 victory Sunday over a slow-starting, underachieving,
far-from-elite opponent.

“All week, we talked about getting after Vick,” Barnett said. “Containing
Vick is a hard job for anybody. We were trying to make him uneasy, make him
think too fast.”

Barnett returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown in the second
quarter. And he then sealed the victory by picking off Vick a fourth and final
time with 1:49 left.

Facing third-and-3 at the Bills 29, Vick attempted a swing pass to Jason
Avant(notes) at the left sideline. Cornerback Drayton Florence(notes) got his hands on the
ball, which tipped off Avant as he was falling backward. Barnett then scooped it
up before the ball hit the ground.

“The ball just popped right into my hands,” Barnett said. “I tried to get
me another touchdown, but I don’t have that Deion Sanders speed.”

Barnett and the Bills can laugh because they are showing no signs of playing
the familiar role as the NFL’s pushover.

Bouncing back from a 23-20 loss at Cincinnati, Buffalo (4-1) has already
matched last year’s win total, is off to its best start since 2008, and looking
nothing like the team that opened last season losing eight straight en route to
a 4-12 finish.

“I think what we went through last year, nobody wanted to go through
again,” coach Chan Gailey said. “I think we learned we could play in the big
ballgames.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick(notes) went 21 of 27 for 193 yards passing and a touchdown pass to
David Nelson(notes). Brad Smith(notes) scored on a 5-yard run that spotted the Bills a 28-7
lead early in the third quarter.

The Eagles are proving dysfunctional, and not even Vick’s suggestion of
dropping their “Dream Team” label this week has put a stop to what’s been an
ongoing nightmare.

“Sitting at 1-4, there’s really not too much you can say whether you’re a
good team or a bad team,” Vick said. “I know I have a lot of confidence in
these guys. We just have to keep fighting.”

Vick went 26 of 40 for 315 yards passing and two touchdowns, but was undone
by a career-worst four interceptions, three of them coming on the Eagles’ first
four possessions. He added 90 yards rushing to give him 4,948 for his career,
passing Randall Cunningham for most yards by an NFL quarterback.

Philadelphia has lost four in a row—its longest skid since 2005—and is
off to its worst start since 1999, coach Andy Reid’s first season.

Reid was defiant in the loss, blaming himself for the team’s struggles.

“No. 1, there’s nobody to blame but me,” Reid said. “That’s how I look at
it. I take full responsibility for it. It’s my team.”

Turnovers aside, the Eagles offense couldn’t get out of its own way to
complete a comeback.

Vick squandered a scoring chance at the end of the second quarter when, with
no timeouts and facing third-and-10 at the Buffalo 26, he held on to the ball
too long before throwing it through the back of the end zone just as time ran
out.

Then there was how the Eagles second-to-last possession ended with Alex
Henery(notes) settling for a 35-yard field goal. Vick had marched Philadelphia to
Buffalo’s 6-yard-line before penalties on consecutive plays pushed the Eagles
back 20 yards.

The Eagles then capped their comedy of errors by failing to get the ball
back for what would’ve been one last drive.

Facing fourth-and-inches at midfield with 1:23 left, Fitzpatrick was
successful in getting Eagles defensive end Juqua Parker(notes) to jump offside. That
gave Buffalo a new set of downs and a chance to run out the clock after
Philadelphia had used up its timeouts.

Jackson couldn’t believe the ploy worked.

“Coming into the huddle, we did a good acting job, like we were going to go
out here and run the ball down their throat,” Jackson said.

Jackson celebrated just before entering the tunnel with his son Braeden at
his side. With the crowd chanting “Freddy! Freddy! Freddy!” Jackson ripped off
his gloves and threw them into the stands and took a moment to soak it all in
before heading to the locker room.

“We’re putting ourselves in a tremendous opportunity,” Jackson said.
“We’re happy where we’re putting ourselves. But we still have a lot of work to
do and a lot of teams left to play.”

Notes: It’s the second time this season the Bills have had four
interceptions, matching the number they had against Tom Brady(notes) in a
come-from-behind 34-31 victory two weeks ago. … Buffalo now has 12
interceptions—one more than it had all of last year—and its five takeaways
was the most since having six in a 16-13 overtime win over the New York Jets on
Oct. 18, 2009. … LeSean McCoy(notes) scored on a 10-yard run, while DeSean Jackson(notes)
scored on a 31-yard catch and Jeremy Maclin(notes) added a 10-yard TD catch. … Vick
has seven interceptions on the season.

PHILADELPHIA – It’s no secret DeSean Jackson makes the Eagles go. And lately, he hasn’t been going very far.

Neither have they.

Jackson, among the game’s most explosive wide receivers, has just four catches for 51 yards in the Eagles’ last two games and doesn’t have a reception longer than 17 yards since opening day.

As such, the new-look Eagles (1-2) have lost their last two games and head into Sunday’s date with the San Francisco 49ers (2-1) in last place in the NFC East.

For somebody who has 19 touchdowns of 30 yards or more since Opening Day of 2008, this has been an uncharacteristically quiet opening stretch for Jackson. Although he did have six catches for 102 yards against the Rams in Week 1, overall, Jackson ranks 62nd in the NFL with 10 catches this year, 57th with 153 yards and tied for 26th with just one touchdown.

Not what you’d expect from a two-time Pro Bowl pick and two-time 1,000-yard receiver.

“It’s football,” Jackson said. “I’m one of 11 players. They’re not always going to be calling my number, and I’ve just got to help out and do whatever I can to help my team win. You’ve just got to keep working hard, and hopefully it will get better.”

Michael Vick, who threw touchdown passes of 45, 61, 88 and 91 yards to Jackson last year, said teams are defending the Eagles differently than in the past. Opposing defences are dropping a safety back so deep that it’s almost impossible to hit deep strikes to Jackson.

“Teams are playing so far down the field,” Vick said, “you can’t even see the free safety any more.”

And they’re doing this only against Jackson and the Eagles.

“During the week, when we watch film of these teams playing other teams, we don’t see them playing like this,” Jackson said. “It’s respect. I think a lot of defences are not going to let us just run past them and do the things we’re great at doing.

“We’ve just got to find a way to make plays somehow, some way underneath, and if every team is going to be 35 yards back deep, we just have to throw underneath and do other things.”

That opens up the field for other players to catch the football on shorter routes, but that’s exactly what defences want. The ball in somebody else’s hands.

“When a team does that to you, you have to be like a surgeon,” offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. “You have to play at a high level consistently, and then big plays will come naturally. You’ve got to surgically dissect them, especially when they’re playing you like that.”

Jackson was open on one deep route this year, but dropped what would have been an 84-yard score against the Rams.

He said if teams are covering the deep ball, he has to get the football and make plays in other ways.

“Over the past three years, if you watch film, there are other plays I’ve done other than just running deep,” he said. “I caught balls underneath and took them the distance, as well. It really doesn’t matter if it’s deep or short or whatever it is, I’m capable of doing it all.”

Jackson is unsigned beyond this year and protested his minimum-wage salary by holding out of the first 10 days of training camp. He said once he’s on the field, the contract situation is out of his mind.

“I’ve got to go out there and still make plays and be the receiver I’m capable of being,” he said. “Whether or not I have the ball in my hands or not, I feel like I already established myself in this league as one of the great receivers. I just have to go out there and just keep doing what I can do. Staying healthy is the biggest thing. As long as I can stay healthy — regardless of where I’m playing — I think I’ll be all right.

“As long as I’m healthy and we’re winning, regardless of my numbers, I think I’ll be very happy.”

Vick is a far more complete player than he was during six, mostly spectacular seasons with the Falcons. As a result, the Eagles (1-0) have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.

“Maturity has been something that I think has been the biggest reason why I’m able to accomplish the things that I’ve been able to accomplish today,” Vick said Wednesday. “Just being older, with age comes the maturation process. Everything just happens in time.”

Vick has come a long way since he signed with the Eagles shortly after his release from prison in 2009. He spent that first season in Philadelphia getting acclimated to playing football again, learning from six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb and listening to coach Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and their staff.

Once he got a chance to play in more than a spot role last season, he made the most of it. Vick proved he could be quite effective as a pocket passer, and had his best all-around season. He started for the NFC in the Pro Bowl and was The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.

“He’s got the mentality right now where he doesn’t care how we get it done; run, pass, who scores, who gets credit,” Mornhinweg said. “He’s only concerned about winning the next ballgame and what it takes to win the next ballgame.

“That’s his mentality right now.”

In Philadelphia’s 31-13 victory at St. Louis in the season opener, the offense struggled at times. The revamped line had trouble protecting Vick. The running game didn’t get going until the second half. There were some dropped passes, and even Vick wasn’t all that sharp. His completion percentage (43.8) was his worst with the Eagles.

Yet, the final stats showed a 100-yard rusher, a 100-yard receiver and a quarterback who threw for 187 yards, ran for 98 more and tossed a pair of scores.

Not a bad start.

“At first, it was a little tough in the run game,” said LeSean McCoy, who had 95 of his 122 yards rushing in the fourth quarter against the Rams. “Then, surely it came together.”

DeSean Jackson had six catches for 102 yards and one score. He would’ve had more if he held onto a deep pass.

“We had a hard time at the beginning of the game,” Jackson said, “but we stayed patient and it came out for us.”

Vick, McCoy and Jackson certainly are a three-headed monster that will give defenses fits all season. But the Eagles have plenty of depth with wideouts Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith, running back Ronnie Brown and tight end Brent Celek.

Vick’s return to Atlanta will dominate headlines this week. But he’s downplaying the magnitude of the game on him personally, and is focusing on trying to get the Eagles to 2-0 for the first time since 2004.

“This is a business trip for us,” Vick said. “Trust me, they’re going to come out and play with an edge. We all know their record at home, they’re a great football team at home and they do some excellent things in the dome. There are going to be some things we’re going to counteract and we’re going to have to be ready to go when we get out there. This is a great opportunity for us to get off to a fast start.”

NOTES: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie sprained his ankle in the morning walkthrough. He’s day to day. Joselio Hanson would be the nickel cornerback if Rodgers-Cromartie can’t play against the Falcons. … DE Darryl Tapp (pectoral strain) and QB Vince Young (hamstring) didn’t practice. They are also day to day. … LB Akeem Jordan (shoulder) had limited participation in practice.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Vick is a far more complete player than he was during six, mostly spectacular seasons with the Falcons. As a result, the Eagles (1-0) have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.

“Maturity has been something that I think has been the biggest reason why I’m able to accomplish the things that I’ve been able to accomplish today,” Vick said Wednesday. “Just being older, with age comes the maturation process. Everything just happens in time.”

Vick has come a long way since he signed with the Eagles shortly after his release from prison in 2009. He spent that first season in Philadelphia getting acclimated to playing football again, learning from six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb and listening to coach Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and their staff.

Once he got a chance to play in more than a spot role last season, he made the most of it. Vick proved he could be quite effective as a pocket passer, and had his best all-around season. He started for the NFC in the Pro Bowl and was The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.

“He’s got the mentality right now where he doesn’t care how we get it done; run, pass, who scores, who gets credit,” Mornhinweg said. “He’s only concerned about winning the next ballgame and what it takes to win the next ballgame.

“That’s his mentality right now.”

In Philadelphia’s 31-13 victory at St. Louis in the season opener, the offense struggled at times. The revamped line had trouble protecting Vick. The running game didn’t get going until the second half. There were some dropped passes, and even Vick wasn’t all that sharp. His completion percentage (43.8) was his worst with the Eagles.

Yet, the final stats showed a 100-yard rusher, a 100-yard receiver and a quarterback who threw for 187 yards, ran for 98 more and tossed a pair of scores.

Not a bad start.

“At first, it was a little tough in the run game,” said LeSean McCoy, who had 95 of his 122 yards rushing in the fourth quarter against the Rams. “Then, surely it came together.”

DeSean Jackson had six catches for 102 yards and one score. He would’ve had more if he held onto a deep pass.

“We had a hard time at the beginning of the game,” Jackson said, “but we stayed patient and it came out for us.”

Vick, McCoy and Jackson certainly are a three-headed monster that will give defenses fits all season. But the Eagles have plenty of depth with wideouts Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith, running back Ronnie Brown and tight end Brent Celek.

Vick’s return to Atlanta will dominate headlines this week. But he’s downplaying the magnitude of the game on him personally, and is focusing on trying to get the Eagles to 2-0 for the first time since 2004.

“This is a business trip for us,” Vick said. “Trust me, they’re going to come out and play with an edge. We all know their record at home, they’re a great football team at home and they do some excellent things in the dome. There are going to be some things we’re going to counteract and we’re going to have to be ready to go when we get out there. This is a great opportunity for us to get off to a fast start.”

NOTES: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie sprained his ankle in the morning walkthrough. He’s day to day. Joselio Hanson would be the nickel cornerback if Rodgers-Cromartie can’t play against the Falcons. … DE Darryl Tapp (pectoral strain) and QB Vince Young (hamstring) didn’t practice. They are also day to day. … LB Akeem Jordan (shoulder) had limited participation in practice.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.