LeSean McCoy was among many young players who stepped up in the Eagles big win over the KC Chiefs.

Two teams missing key players on offense duked it out yesterday at Lincoln Financial Field with the Eagles coming out with a easy 34-14 decision over the hapless Kansas City Chiefs.

The victory moved the Birds’ record to 2-1 going into the bye week.

The Eagles were without Pro Bowlers Donovan McNabb (ribs) and Brian Westbrook (ankle) plus starting receiver Kevin Curtis (knee).

The Chiefs entered the game without standout receiver Dwayne Bowe, also out because of injury.

The Eagles young skill position players’ production more than made up for the veterans’ absence.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb was much better in this outing than he was against New Orleans last week.

The third-year pro out of Houston walked off at halftime with a 24-7 lead and gaudy QB rating of 114.0.
Kolb was able to post just three points in the third quarter but managed the game well and did not commit a turnover.

Last week against the Saints, Kolb threw in interception on his first pass of the third quarter that led to a New Orleans touchdown that put the game out of reach.

He would end up with three picks, one that was returned 97 yards for a touchdown.

His turnovers dimmed any bright spots from that game including his 391 passing yards and two touchdowns.

This week Kolb finished with 327 yards on 24 of 34 passing, two touchdown passes and, most important, no interceptions. His quarterback rating was an off-the-charts 120.6.

Kolb is the first player in NFL history to record 300 or more passing yards in his first two starts.

Head coach Andy Reid was asked what part of Kolb’s performance he was most impressed with.

“His command of the offense,” Reid said. “It looked like he was fairly accurate today and poised in there. [Kansas City] tried getting after him like [New Orleans] did last week, and I thought he handled that part of the game very well. He’s giving our receivers an opportunity to run after the catch, so that’s a plus.”

Kolb said he was relieved to get an turnover-free game under his belt.

“That was huge,” Kolb said. “I wanted to focus on that this week and I told the guys before the game, we just need to focus on execution.  [We] came out, did that pretty well, had a couple of lulls in there but shoot, the defense was rocking so much that it didn’t matter.”

Third-year pro Brent Celek has emerged as a top tight end in this league led the Eagles again with eight receptions for 104 yards and a score.

Second-year wide receiver/kick returner DeSean Jackson dazzled again, coming up with six catches for 149 yards and a highlight reel 64-yard touchdown.

Not to be outdone by his fellow young playmakers, LaSean McCoy, a rookie running back out of Pittsburgh who started in place of injured all-star Brian Westbrook, rushed for 84 yards on 20 carries. He also recorded a touchdown.

McCoy said he could feel the bond forming among the young players that they were the future of the team and could also help the team gain success right now.

“We’re that class that will keep it moving,” McCoy said. “The older guys, they do a great job…they put trust in us that if they go down they need us to step up. I think they called on us today to step up and we did.”

The Eagles jumped out to a 14-0 lead on drives of 48 and 73 yards respectively. McCoy got the Birds on the board first with five-yard run and Kolb scored on a one-yard sneak.

The Chiefs got back in the game briefly when Matt Cassel (14 of 18, 90 yards, sacked 3 times) hit Mark Bradley with a 13-yard touchdown pass with 8:34 left in the second quarter.

But the Eagles answered right back when Kolb hit Jackson over the middle for a 64-yard touchdown at the 8:16 mark of the second.

The Eagles never looked back

Reid said he was thrilled to see his young players perform so well.

“I’m glad to see that,” Reid said. “During practice you look out there and you see a lot of young guys and young faces in that huddle between Kevin [Kolb] and Jeremy [Maclin] and [LeSean] McCoy and DeSean [Jackson]. Those are young guys, and really the offensive line isn’t very old either. That’s a plus and a compliment to our personnel department too. You can give them a pat on the back.”