LANDOVER, Md. — On the very first play of the game, Michael Vick threw an 88-yard touchdown pass.
He was merely getting started.
Given all of Vick’s brilliance throughout the Philadelphia Eagles’ 59-28 victory over the Washington Redskins on Monday night – four TD passes, two TD runs, plenty in between – it seemed reasonable to ask him whether he’s ever played a better game.
Vick paused, then delivered an honest answer.
“I’ve had some great games in my day,” the quarterback said. “But I don’t think I’ve had one quite like this one.”
Nope, Mike, you haven’t. Indeed, no player in the history of the NFL ever has done quite what you did, accumulating at least 300 yards passing, 50 yards rushing, four passing TDs and two rushing TDs in one game.
Philadelphia led 35-0 after the first play of the second quarter, broke franchise records for points in a half (45) and total yards in a game (592), and finished with its second-most points in a regular-season game.
Vick and his teammates also ruined any good feelings the Redskins hoped to generate with their pregame announcement of a five-year contract extension worth up to $78 million for their quarterback, former Philadelphia star Donovan McNabb.
“Big credit to Michael Vick. He made some plays today that I haven’t seen a lot of quarterbacks make for a long time,” said Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, who never before had an opponent score 59 points. “When something wasn’t there in the passing game, he made plays with his legs. Really a big-time game.”