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2008 NFL Wild Card Weekend
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Monday January 5, 2009 |
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FREE
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb celebrates carrying the
game ball off the field after the Birds defeated the Minnesota Vikings
at the Metrodome 26-14. McNabb had another excellent game, completing
23 of 34 passes for 300 passing yards and one big touchdown, a 71-yd
screen pass to Brian Westbrook halfway through the fourth quarter
to extend the Eagles 16-14 lead to a 9-point lead. McNabb was rushed
constantly and was sacked 3 times. he also had a fumble and one INT.
However, his QB rating was a very effective 92.8. He is also now 5-0
all-time against the Vikings, 2-0 in the playoffs.
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Philadelphia Eagles' Stats Of The Week
Asante Samuel's INT and TD return against the Vikings broke an all-time
NFL record for most INT's returned for TD's in the palyoffs. He now has
4 total with 3 of them with the New England Patriots. The INT was also
his sixth of the postseason, tying him into a tie for 2nd all-time with
Ty Law and behind former teammate Rodney Harrison's seven. DeSean Jackson's
62-yard punt return in the first quarter is longest postseason punt return
by an Eagle in 61 years, since Bosh Pritchard's 79-yarder against the
Steelers in 1947. Jackson added a 30-yard return in the third quarter,
which gave him four returns for 105 yards and broke the Eagles'
single-game punt return record of 101, set in that same 1947 game
against the Steelers. David Akers’ four field goals -- from 44, 51, 31 and
44 yards -- gave him 25 career playoff field goals and moved him past George
Blanda and Steve Christie (22 each) for third-most in NFL history. He trails
only Adam Vinatieri (41) and Gary Anderson (32). His 51-yarder broke his own
franchise record for longest postseason field goal. Westbrook's catch is the
second-longest ever by an Eagle in the postseason, behind only Donté Stallworth's
75-yarder against the Saints in 2006. McNabb's longest previous playoff
completion was a 52-yarder to Greg Lewis in 2004, also against the Vikings.
His longest previous postseason TD pass was a 35-yarder to James Thrash
against the Falcons in their 2002 conference semifinal game. The
McNabb-to-Westbrook 71-yarder is the second-longest TD pass in NFC wild-card
history. The only longer one involved two familiar names -- Jeff Garcia
and Terrell Owens connected on a 76-yarder in the 49ers' win over the
Giants in 2002. That remains the last postseason game that Owens won. Lastly,
Donovan McNabb's 300 yards are third-most in the postseason by an Eagle
quarterback behind only Randall Cunningham's 407 yards against the Bears
in the Fog Bowl in 1988 and McNabb's 357 in the Super Bowl against the
Patriots in 2004.
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Strong Defensive Effort Over Vikings
Leads To Impressive 26-14 Victory.
E-A-G-L-E-S .... EAGLES
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EAGLES |
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6 |
10 |
0 |
10 |
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26 |
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Minnesota |
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0 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
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14 |
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Photos From The EAGLES 2008 Wild Card Playoff Game
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Eagles rookie DeSean Jackson leaves behind a group of Vikings' defenders
on a 62-yd punt return during the first quarter.
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Vikings cornerback Marcus McCauley, right, watches as the Eagles wide receiver
DeSean Jackson heads out of bounds after a 35-yard gain on a Donovan
McNabb pass in the 2nd quarter setting up the 2nd David Akers FG.
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Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel, left, returns an interception for a touchdown
as Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is blocked by Eagles'
Chris Clemons in the second quarter.
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Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson celebrates his 2nd touchdown
against the Eagles, during the second quarter.
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Brian Westbrook steps out of the attempted tackle by the Vikings
Antoine Winfield on a 71-yd TD reception during the 4th quarter.
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Eagles' Correll Buckhalter, left, liftsrunning back Brian Westbrook,
second from left, after Westbrook scored on a 71-yard touchdown reception during
the fourth quarter. Joining the celebrates are center Nick Cole (59) and DeSean
Jackson, right.
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Eagles' Matt Schobel, left, congratulates David Akers after Akers
kicked a 45-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter.
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Eagles DE Juqua Parker comes away with the ball after recovering a fumble by the
Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson, right, as head linesman John McGrath, left and referee
Tony Corrente, right center, signal that the Eagles have possession, during the 4th quarter.
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Click Here To View More Highlights From The Eagles Wild Card Victory
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