Quarterback Kevin Kolb will make his first NFL start as Philadelphia host New Orleans, in the first live Sky Sports game.
Eagles starter ruled out so Kolb comes in for first start
Kevin Kolb is set to start for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday with Donovan McNabb not recovering from his rib injury in time to face the New Orleans Saints, in the first live
Sky Sports game of the day.
The Eagles open their home campaign by welcoming the high-flying Saints to Lincoln Financial Field, but they will be without their star quarterback after he picked up a rib injury in last week's win in Carolina.
In the first
Sky Sports game on Sunday, Drew Brees and his high-octane offence will be given a much bigger test than last week when he threw six touchdowns against a hapless Detroit Lions side.
McNabb's injury looks like keeping him out of the game, meaning Kolb will get the start for the Eagles with Michael Vick suspended for the first two games of the season.
Veteran Jeff Garcia will back him up after he was re-signed by the Eagles after McNabb was injured, but it will be Kolb who will have all eyes on him as he finally gets a chance to prove himself.
First start
The 2007 second round draft pick has played in eight NFL games but as yet has not taken enough snaps to prove whether he is up to the task or not.
Head coach Andy Reid has every faith in Kolb as he prepares for his first NFL start.
"He takes charge in there, and he's done a nice job with managing the huddle and the plays," Reid said.
Kolb has been practising with the starters during the week with McNabb out, and he knows that it's now or never.
"I had about 12 people come up to me and say, 'God, you look as ready as you'll ever be,'" Kolb said. "Now it's about going out there and making sure it happens."
Two teams looking to bounce back from a first week loss clash in the second live game, also on
Sky Sports 3, at 9pm, with Tampa Bay travelling to face Buffalo.
The Bills performed well but just lost out to Tom Brady's New England Patriots on Monday night, and will hope to go just a step better despite the short week.
The Buccaneers were shot down at home by the Dallas Cowboys and will need to stiffen up on defence to stop Terrell Owens and co from ripping them apart in the same manner.
