(Pic)- Chicago Bears Marty Booker (86) can't hold onto a pass as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Chris Houston (23) defends in the second half of their NFL football game in Atlanta, Georgia, October 12, 2008 (Enlarge Pic). REUTERS/Mike Clifton (UNITED STATES)
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The Philadelphia Eagles stayed in the hunt in the NFC East by downing the Atlanta Falcons 27-14 on Sunday.
The Eagles improved to 4-3, while the Falcons dipped to 4-3, as elusive running back Brian Westbrook returned from injury and rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Philadelphia attack.
Philadelphia entered the game in last place in their division behind the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys but having Westbrook back after suffering broken ribs gave them a boost.
Westbrook scored on TD bursts of 16 and 39 yards and also hauled in six passes for 42 yards against the Falcons.
"We need to get on a run," the 29-year-old running back said. "We need to execute like we did today for the rest of the season."
The Falcons, who got off to a surprising 4-2 start in the NFC South behind rookie quarterback Matt Ryan and bruising runner Michael Turner, climbed within 20-14 on an eight-yard TD pass from Ryan to Roddy White with 4:01 left in the game.
Atlanta's last chance for victory, however, disappeared when an official ruled that returner Adam Jennings fumbled an Eagles punt at the 2:28 mark and that Philadelphia had recovered the ball.
Replays showed Jennings had not touched the ball but Atlanta coach Mike Smith was unable to challenge the ruling because he had already used up all his timeouts.
Westbrook then finished the game in style with his 39-yard TD run down the left sideline.
"It's a tough loss," said Ryan. "We had a chance with a couple minutes to go to still get into it and win the game, but we fell a little bit short."
Atlanta scored first, taking a 7-0 lead on a 55-yard TD strike from Ryan to White early in the second quarter.
Philadelphia responded with a 60-yard TD drive capped off by quarterback Donovan McNabb's three-yard scoring run.
A 36-yard field goal by David Akers on the final play of the first half gave the Eagles a 10-7 lead.
Philadelphia padded their lead when Westbrook dashed 16 yards to cap a 69-yard drive on the opening series of the second half and an 18-yard Akers field goal in the fourth quarter made it 20-7.
The Eagles shut down the running game of the Falcons, who ranked second in the NFL by averaging 163 yards a game. Atlanta rushed for 77 yards, with Turner gaining 58 on 17 carries.
McNabb completed 19-for-34 for 253 yards, while Ryan was 23-44 for 277 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, including one thrown from the Eagles' one-yard line.
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Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:57am EDT 
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