If the Eagles are going to become the first team to defeat the Patriots this season, they're going to have to do it without Donovan McNabb.
McNabb, who did not practice last week, was downgraded to out for tonight's game. The quarterback suffered a sprained right ankle and jammed the thumb on his throwing hand during the first half of the Eagles' 17-7 victory over the Dolphins last Sunday. He was relieved by backup A.J. Feeley, who will make his 14th career start tonight, his first since Dec. 26, 2004.
Feeley has a 7-6 record as a starter, including a 29-28 victory over the Patriots in 2004.
"Feeley beat us down there in Miami a couple years ago, so we have a lot of respect for him and McNabb," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick last week. "They're both outstanding quarterbacks. They both can run the system and Feeley got in there and ran it last week in Miami after McNabb went out. He played it very well.
"I think that they can keep it rolling no matter who is in there. It's such a well-oiled system and they've had a lot of continuity. They have a very experienced offensive line, certainly one of the best offensive lines in the league, so they can pretty much keep it rolling probably with just about anybody in there, just like they did last year when they plugged in [Jeff ] Garcia.
"It seems it doesn't matter who the quarterback is. They seem to be able to move the ball pretty effectively, and I think that's a credit to not only the quarterback and the coaching but the entire offensive unit."
The Eagles also will be without starting strong safety Quintin Mikell, who suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee last Sunday. They will start inexperienced fourth-year safety J.R. Reed, who has played primarily as a kickoff returner.
Westbrook a threat
One of the challenges for the Patriots is slowing Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, who is Philadelphia's leading rusher (849 yards, 5 touchdowns on 178 carries) and receiver (55 receptions for 518 yards, 4 touchdowns). Westbrook ranks first among all NFL running backs in receiving yards and second in receptions.
Patriots linebacker Junior Seau called Westbrook a "three-dimensional" back for his ability to run, catch, and block, but said the Patriots can't be one-dimensional in their approach to slowing him down, which will include jamming him out of the backfield on pass routes.
"You have to mix it up," said Seau. "You can't be one-dimensional where you are going to be hard on a player like Westbrook. You've got to keep him thinking, make him adjust to you. Whenever you can do that, you become the offensive player and he becomes the defensive player. That's the key."
Running in place
Despite injuries to Laurence Maroney (foot) and Kevin Faulk (head) last week against Buffalo and the loss of Sammy Morris for the season, the Patriots appear set at running back.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said he was pleased with the work of fullbacks Heath Evans and Kyle Eckel in relief of Maroney and Faulk against the Bills.
"We have what we have," said McDaniels. "Our roster is going to be what it is and the four guys that we have are doing a good job for us.
"We're happy with them both in the running game and in the passing game right now."
Maroney and Faulk were not listed on the injury report for tonight's game.
Unwelcome mat is out
This is the Eagles' first regular-season visit to Gillette Stadium. First-time visitors have not fared well at Gillette; the Patriots have a 22-4 record against them and have won 18 of the last 19. The only teams that haven't played a regular-season game at Gillette are the Falcons, Panthers, Cardinals, and Rams. The Patriots host Arizona and St. Louis next season; Atlanta and Carolina are on the 2009 schedule . . . Westbrook needed 24 tickets for tonight's game. His father, Ronald, hails from Holyoke . . . With 41 points tonight, the Patriots will set a franchise record for a season. They have 411; the record is 441 by the 1980 squad.
Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.
