Eagles at Rams
THE STORY: The Philadelphia Eagles did all they could in the offseason to gear up for a run at a Super Bowl title. They begin their quest Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, who are seeking their first playoff berth since 2004 after just missing out in the weak NFC West last season. Philadelphia added a number of key components on both sides of the ball this summer, and also is counting on another sensational year from 2010 Comeback Player of the Year Michael Vick to help erase the memory of last season's early playoff exit. A native of Missouri, Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin is expected to start after battling a mysterious illness during the offseason.
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Eagles -4.5, O/U 44
ABOUT THE RAMS (2010: 7-9, 2nd, NFC West): Sam Bradford was impressive en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors last season, throwing for 3,512 yards to join Peyton Manning as the only rookies ever to reach the 3,500 mark. The Rams, who posted their first 4-0 preseason since 1979, also have a strong running game thanks to Steven Jackson. The veteran recorded his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season last year with 1,241 and has averaged a league-best 118.2 yards from scrimmage per game since 2006.
ABOUT THE EAGLES (2010: 10-6, 1st, NFC East): The Eagles landed one of the biggest free-agent prizes this summer in CB Nnamdi Asomugha. After eight seasons with a mostly dismal team in Oakland, Asomugha will team with 2010 NFC interceptions leader Asante Samuel (seven) to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. LeSean McCoy proved to be quite a double threat last year as he led all running backs with 78 receptions and topped the NFC with 1,672 yards from scrimmage.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Vick, who inked a six-year, $100 million contract in August, set career highs in passing yards (3,018), quarterback rating (100.2) and completion percentage (62.6) last year – and did it all in only 12 games.
2. Samuel and Bill Bradley (1971-72) are the only Eagles to lead the NFC in interceptions in consecutive campaigns.
3. Philadelphia has won nine of the last 11 meetings between the clubs, most recently a 38-3 rout at home on Sept. 7, 2008. Their last battle in St. Louis occurred on Dec. 18, 2005, when the Eagles eked out a 17-16 triumph.