Quarterback Jon Kitna was mocked for his prediction that the Detroit Lions would win at least 10 games this year. Two games into the season, Detroit is one-fifth of the way there.
The surprising Lions look to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 1980, while the disappointing Philadelphia Eagles try to avoid their first 0-3 start since 1999 when the teams meet at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.
Week 3 matchups to watch
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There are many intriguing games this weekend, including Cowboys-Bears, Steelers-49ers, and Colts-Texans. As we get ready for all of the action, Gil Brandt takes a look at nine matchups worth watching in Week 3. Full story ...
Kitna went out on a limb in the offseason and predicted that the Lions, who haven't won more than six games in a season since 2000, would reach double digits in victories this year. Kitna's statement was met with skepticism, but the 11th-year quarterback might have convinced some disbelievers with his performance last Sunday.
Kitna left the game with a concussion in the first half, but returned in time to help set up Jason Hanson's 37-yard field goal in overtime that lifted Detroit to a 20-17 win over Minnesota. He said the third concussion of his NFL career was the worst yet, but he felt fine when he re-entered the game midway through the fourth quarter.
"I've never felt anything like that, and for it to clear up and go right back to as normal as I can be, is nothing short of a miracle," Kitna said. "I just definitely feel the hand of God. That's all it was. You can't explain it."
Kitna has completed 49 of 69 passes for 534 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions for Detroit, which leads the league with 682 passing yards. The Lions have an NFL-high four receivers with more than 100 yards each.
The strong passing attack has the Lions at 2-0 for the first time since 2004, when they finished 6-10.
"It feels good, but it's just a start," said offensive tackle Jeff Backus, who has been a part of each of Detroit's NFL-high 72 losses the past six-plus seasons. "We have to keep it going."
The Eagles, meanwhile, entered this season with a healthy Donovan McNabb and high expectations, but they're winless.
Philadelphia is hoping to turn around its 0-2 start the same way it did the last time it lost its first two games. The Eagles started the 2003 season with back-to-back defeats, but won 12 of their last 14 regular-season games and advanced to the NFC championship game. It was the third time in the Super Bowl era that Philadelphia made the playoffs after an 0-2 start. The Eagles also did it in 1978 and 1990.
"I think for the guys that were a part of that, there is a positive light in this situation, knowing that we've been through it," McNabb said. "But, still, you can't live in the past and you have to prepare for the future. And in this situation we only need to focus on Detroit."
Returning to the playoffs could be a stretch if McNabb doesn't return to form. The five-time Pro Bowler is healthy after undergoing major knee surgery last November, but he's completed just 54.4 percent of his passes for 424 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He missed several open receivers in Monday night's 20-12 loss to Washington.
"We didn't win the game, so I didn't play well. If I'm out there, I have to make plays," said McNabb, who lost for the sixth time in his last seven starts. "We have to find out what we're doing wrong and correct it."
McNabb's recent comments on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" have only drawn more attention to his early struggles. In an interview broadcast on Tuesday, McNabb said black quarterbacks face greater scrutiny than their white counterparts. He also said black quarterbacks "have to do a little bit extra" because there are relatively few of them, adding "people didn't want us to play this position."
While McNabb is slumping, the Eagles have gotten solid production from running back Brian Westbrook, who had 17 carries for 96 yards and eight catches for 66 yards Monday. Westbrook leads the NFC with 293 scrimmage yards.
He hasn't reached the end zone, however, as the Eagles are tied for last in the NFL with just one touchdown this season.
That's one fewer than Detroit receiver Roy Williams, who has caught 11 passes for 131 yards and two scores. Rookie Calvin Johnson, the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft, has eight receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
