Quintin Mikell

If you did not enjoy the Eagles-Rams game the other night, do not get your hopes up for the Eagles-Bengals clash. Unless, of course, the backups improve. Coach Andy Reid said yesterday at his news conference that the game plan for tomorrow's home contest against Cincinnati will be a lot like Monday's. That, of course, was when quarterback Donovan McNabb played one series, running back Brian Westbrook and defensive end Jevon Kearse sat out the entire game, and the Eagles lost, 20-7, in St. Louis.

The Eagles are back in prime time, and this week the stakes are even higher. After using the big stage of Monday Night Football to announce themselves as Super Bowl contenders and make Michael Vick the biggest story in sports, the Eagles play Sunday night in a game that will determine first place in the NFC East. The Eagles and Giants are 6-3, tied for the division lead, and have not faced off this year. As the final weeks of November tick off the calendar, both have established themselves as members of the NFC's elite.

Here are some observations and ruminations about the Eagles-Colts game: Testing Vick The Colts wasted no time testing whether Michael Vick's ribs were indeed 100 percent. Their defense didn't burn a single opportunity to knock the quarterback down in the first quarter. Mind you, Vick wasn't sacked. The Colts just kept hitting him every time he scrambled out of the pocket. All three of the blows could have been deemed cheap. The first drew a roughing-the-passer penalty, but the next two didn't.

Jeremy Maclin is showing he's a quick study. The rookie wide receiver, who held out for the first nine days of Eagles training camp, has been at Lehigh for only two days, but he's already inducing oohs and ahs from the fans. During one-on-one drills, Maclin lined up against former all-pro Asante Samuel. The cornerback tried to bump the Eagles' top pick, but Maclin shed the contact and made a nice grab along the sideline, prompting a cheer. He hooked up again with quarterback Kevin Kolb when he scooted past cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu for a 20-yard reception.

Kurt Coleman shot through the gap. He hit a startled Ahmad Bradshaw, who dropped like a stone 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage. That forced the Giants to pass, which led to a fumble, which led to the Eagles' first touchdown. None of which happens, perhaps, if the Eagles' seventh-round rookie safety didn't play with the confidence of the second-rounder he replaced. Nate Allen's fine rookie season ended Sunday when he ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee. Allen underwent successful surgery Tuesday.

Hi, I'm Terrell, and I'll be your waiter this afternoon. . . . Unless, of course, you're Dan Dierdorf or Dick Enberg. The CBS broadcast duo for yesterday's Eagles-Chargers game was distinctly unimpressed by Terrell Owens' latest piece of end-zone pantomime after catching a 4-yard touchdown pass for the 100th scoring reception of his career. Owens took a hand towel out of his pants, draped it over his left arm, and carried the ball off the field as if he were a server carrying a tray.

Just before the Eagles' preseason home opener Friday against Jacksonville, rookie safety Nate Allen - playing his first game as professional - will likely scroll his iPod for something soft and calming. Allen doesn't have a pregame ritual - no lucky towels or putting on a certain sock first - but he does follow a routine that begins with quieter moments in the locker room before stepping onto the Lincoln Financial Field's lined grass to face the bright lights and cheering fans. There, his earbuds will pump in hip-hop, something hard and energizing as he walks once around the playing field, thinking about his assignments, envisioning interceptions and big hits, and soaking in the atmosphere, looking around the arena rising from the playing surface.

  Vick turned the trick First, it is important to note that the Jaguars are a rotten team, playing in a lifeless stadium in a nondescript city. But, boy, does Andy Reid look the genius. Michael Vick was again amazing. His passing accuracy statistics were nowhere as good as the previous weeks, but that's because his receivers dropped a few. There weren't many times you could say he tossed an ill-advised pass. And he really has become comfortable in the pocket. But just to remind everyone that he can still take off and run, Vick dashed 17 yards just before the end of the third quarter to give the Eagles a 25-point cushion.

Quintin Mikell's voice caught in his throat, his eyes filled. A tear spilled out. Mikell, an eight-year veteran who rose from undrafted free agent to special-teams contributor to starting safety, defensive leader and mentor in the secondary, may have just played his last game with the team that gave him his first shot, the only one he has ever played for. He fought to contain his emotions when talking to reporters Monday. "It's tough because it's all I've known since I've been in the league.

NASHVILLE - The penalties were back. After three weeks when the Eagles committed five or fewer penalties, they were flagged 10 times for 100 yards Sunday. The 10 tied a season high. The yardage was the most surrendered this year. The situations, not just the numbers, made the infractions costly. A roughing-the-passer call on Juqua Parker in the second quarter kept a Titans drive alive after it looked like the defense had made a stop on third down. Tennessee would score a touchdown three plays later.