On the first drive of the game, Eagles quarterback [[Donovan McNabb]] fumbledappeared whileto beingnarrowly sackedavoid a sack by NewPatriots Englandlinebacker [[Tedy Bruschi]], but fumble the ball while running into linebacker [[Willie McGinest]], andwith the Patriots recoveredrecovering the ballit at the Philadelphia's 34-yard line. Eagles' coach [[Andy Reid]]'s [[instant replay]] challenge overruled the fumble; officials ruled that McNabb's hadknee beenhit downthe byground contactwhile beforehe thewas ballbeing camehit outby ofBruschi hisbefore handshe lost the ball. Later in the quarter after each team had punted twice, McNabb completed a 30-yard pass to wide receiver [[Terrell Owens]], with aan roughingunnecessary the passerroughness penalty against linebacker [[Rosevelt Colvin]] adding 9 yards, moving the ball inside the PatriotsNew 20England 10-yard line. However, linebacker [[Mike Vrabel]] sacked McNabb for a 16-yard loss on the next play. On the following play, the Eagles once again appeared to turn the ball over:; McNabb's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Patriots defensive backcornerback [[Asante Samuel]], butwho returned it to his own 30-yard line, but the play was nullified by an illegal contact penalty onagainst linebacker [[Roman Phifer]], moving the ball back inside the 20 and giving the Eagles a first down. However, McNabb'sPhiladelphia secondturned chancethe wasball wastedover asfor hereal on the next play when McNabb threw an interception to safety [[Rodney Harrison]] on the next play. This was Donovan McNabb's first [[Red zone (gridiron football)|red zone]] interception of the season.
The Eagles' defense then forced Newthe EnglandPatriots to a [[three-and-out]] on their ensuing possession, and Philadelphia got great field position by receiving the[[Josh Miller (American football)|Josh Miller]]'s punt at the PatriotsNew England 45-yard line. But oncethree plays againlater, theyHarrison gaveheld up another turnover: tight end [[L. J. Smith]], lost a fumble while being tackled by defensiveenabling backcornerback [[Randall Gay]] to punch the ball loose, andwith safety [[Eugene Wilson (American football)|Eugene Wilson]] recoveredmaking the ballrecovery at the 38.
[[File:Patriots on offense at Super Bowl XXXIX 1.jpg|thumb|Brady takes the snap]]
