|
That said, the Eagles have the "most complete back in the NFL in rushing and receiving" in BRIAN WESTBROOK, according to NFL Network’s STEVE MARIUCCI (Westbrook led the league in scrimmage yards in 2007). And the Vikings’ BERNARD BERRIAN is the only NFL receiver with at least 900 yards to average 20.0 yards a catch (20.1).
"It’s an exciting time right now," says McNabb. Of course. It’s the NFL playoffs!
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - Sunday, FOX 4:30PM ET
Sunday’s matchup features 2 of the NFL’s top defenses, as the Eagles finished the 2008
season ranked 3rd and the Vikings were ranked 6th. The Vikings had the #1 rushing defense for
the 3rd consecutive season, a feat that has never been accomplished in the NFL.
The Vikings earned the playoff berth and clinched their fi rst division title since they won the
2000 NFC Central with a 20-19 last-second victory over the New York Giants last Sunday. It is the team’s first
NFC North championship since the division was realigned in 2002. The win also gave Minnesota its first 10-win
season since 2000.
The Eagles won 4 of their last 5 games to earn their 7th playoff appearance
in the last 9 seasons. The Eagles have won their last 4
games against the Vikings, including a 27-14 win in the Divisional
round of the 2004 playoffs. Andy Reid will be going up against
Eagles former assistant coach Brad Childress for the second time,
after defeating the Vikings last season, 23-16. Reid is 8-6 overall in
the playoffs and 3-0 in the Wild Card round.
Including Playoffs the Series is Knotted 11-11
This will be the 23rd time the Vikings and Eagles have met and the 3rd time the teams have
played in the postseason.
The Vikings are 0-2 against Philadelphia in the postseason but have not played the Eagles at home in the playoffs.
The Eagles won both Divisional contests in 1980 (31-16) and 2004 (27-14) against the Vikings. The Eagles have also
won 6 of the past 7 against the Vikings. However, the Vikings are 6-3 against Philadelphia at home.
The teams last met in Minnesota during the NFL 2007 Season (10/28/2007). The Eagles won 23-16 as Philadelphia QB
Donovan McNabb threw for 333 yards & 1 TD. In that game the Eagles scored on 3 consecutive drives in the 1st half.
NFL 2008 Regular Season Common Opponents
Against common opponents, the Eagles and Vikings share a 3-2 record. The Eagles have victories over the
Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons, lost to the Chicago Bears and split their season series with NFC East
division rival Giants. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals and Giants, lost to the Atlanta Falcons and split
their season season series with NFC North division rival Bears.
NFL 2008 Week 17: Philadelphia Eagles 44, Dallas Cowboys 6
In the game that would decide the final NFC's playoff team, the Eagles (9-6-1) defeated the Cowboys at home by a
final of 44-6. The win combined with 31-24 losses by both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Raiders and Chicago Bears
to the Texans gave the Eagles the NFC Wild Card berth.
Donovan McNabb passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third. McNabb also connected on 12-of-21 passes for 175 yards.
The Eagles defense scored twice and David Akers kicked three field goals, including a 50-yarder.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo passed for 183 yards but fumbled twice and was intercepted once in the loss as the Cowboys
imploded.
Pro Bowl Safety Brian Dawkins forced 2 fumbles on consecutive possessions against the Cowboys, both of which were
returned for touchdowns. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first time in NFL history that a team had
two fumble return touchdowns of 70-or-more yards in the same quarter. Dawkins also had nine tackles and a sack.
NFL 2008 Week 17: Minnesota Vikings 20, New York Giants 19
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants 20-19 on a
last-second K Ryan Longwell field goal.
The victory sealed the Vikings (10-6) postseason berth as the NFC North Division champions.
It is the Vikings’ first postseason appearance since the 2004 season, the team’s first division title since
2000, and the team’s first NFC North Championship since the NFC Central was realigned in 2002.
The Vikings offense utilized big plays to top the Giants. Minnesota’s two touchdowns on the day came
on a 67-yard touchdown run by RB Adrian Peterson and a 54-yard strike from QB Tarvaris Jackson to
WR Bernard Berrian.
Peterson finished the day with 103 yards on 21 carries (4.9 average) and the one TD. He
finished the regular season as the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,760 yards. Peterson also
became only the 5th player in NFL history to reach 3,000 yards in his fi rst 2 seasons.
Jackson would finish the afternoon 16-of-26 for 239 yards and a touchdown. His favorite
targets were Berrian, who caught 4 passes for 81 yards and one touchdown, and WR Bobby Wade, who also caught
4 balls for a career-high 98 yards.
The Vikings defense held the Giants 7th-ranked offense to just 19 points. Minnesota’s defenders
sacked Giant’s signal-callers twice on the day and hurried him another 5 times. LB Ben Leber led
the way for Vikings defenders, recording 10 tackles (6 solo) and notching one of the 2 Vikings
sacks. LB Chad Greenway had the other along with 7 total tackles (5 solo). Though he didn’t
record a sack, Pro Bowl DT Kevin Williams chipped into the pass rush with 4 quarterback hurries, while
DE Jared Allen and DE Brian Robison each hurried Giants QBs twice.
Longwell continued his consistent kicking, improving to 6-for-6 on the year on field goals
of 50+ yards with his 50-yard game winner. It was his 15th career game-winning kick and his 3rd of
the 2008 season. Longwell also converted a 48-yard attempt earlier in the game. Chris Kluwe punted 4 times
for 190 yards (47.5 avg.), including 2 that landed inside the 20 yard line.
In Minnesota’s 20-19 victory, Longwell converted both field-goal attempts, including the game-winning 50-yarder as
time expired to clinch the NFC North for the Vikings and, thus, earning NFC Player of the Week honors.
Trailing 19-17 and knowing that a win against the Giants would
secure the NFC North title, Longwell kicked the game-winner from 50 yards out to send the Vikings into the playoffs.
He also added a 48-yard field goal earlier in the game and was perfect on his two PAT attempts.
Maurice Hicks had a solid day returning kickoffs for the Vikings, taking 3 back for 110 yards
(36.7 avg.).
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1)
Game marks 35th postseason game for the Eagles. Including playoffs, team has won 7 of past 8 meetings. Under
head coach ANDY REID, club has advanced to playoffs 7 times in 10 seasons. Team scored 416 points, most in franchise
history (415, 2002). Eagles had 2 players selected to Pro Bowl: S BRIAN DAWKINS (7th) & CB ASANTE SAMUEL (2nd) QB DONOVAN MC NABB passed for franchise-record 3,916 yards. Has started 12 postseason games & has 7 wins, most
in club history. McNabb holds team playoff records in completions (249), attempts (419), yards (2,630) & TDs (18).
Has guided Eagles to 4 NFC Championship Games & SB XXXIX. Has never lost to Min. (4-0, including playoffs) & has 8 TDs
vs. 0 INTs for 113.4 passer rating. In his starts (min. 10+ att.) with 100.0+ rating (including playoffs), team is 40-1
(.976) RB BRIAN WESTBROOK had 1,338 scrimmage yards (936 rush, 402 rec.), his 5th consecutive season with
1,200+ scrimmage yards. Is only player since 2004 with 4,000+ rush (4,915) & 3,000+ rec. (3,191) yards. Is also
only player since 2004 with 20+ rush (29) & rec. (24) TDs. Aims for 3rd playoff game in row with 100+ rush yards.
Aims for 4th consecutive postseason game with TD. Has 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) in past 2 vs. Min. (including playoffs) WR DE SEAN JACKSON led NFC rookies with 912 rec. yards & ranked 2nd with team-high 62 catches. Is 1st rookie
WR to lead club in catches since 1942 S Dawkins ranks 2nd in team history with 4 postseason INTs (HERMAN
EDWARDS, 5). His 7 Pro Bowl selections tie HOFer REGGIE WHITE for 2nd in club annals (HOFer CHUCK BEDNARIK, 8).
CB Samuel has 20 INTs since 2006, 2nd most in NFL. Has played in 14 playoff games & his teams are 11-3 (.786),
including 2 SB wins. Has 5 INTs (3 INT-TDs) in past 8 postseason games. His 3 INT-TDs tie for most in playoff
history (HOFer WILLIE BROWN). DE TRENT COLE has 21.5 sacks in past 32. In last game vs. Min., Cole had 2.0 sacks.
Last week, Eagles became 1st team in NFL history with 2 70+ yard FR-TDs in same quarter (DE CHRIS CLEMONS, 73 yards &
CB JOSELIO HANSON, 96). K DAVID AKERS is franchise leader with 96 points & 21 FGs in postseason.
Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
The Vikings makes 25th their playoff appearance, tied with Pittsburgh for 4th most in NFL history. Head
coach BRAD CHILDRESS spent 7 years with Eagles (1999-2005), including 4 seasons as offensive coordinator (2002-05).
Team tied for most Pro Bowl selections in NFC with 6: DE JARED ALLEN (2nd), G STEVE HUTCHINSON (6th), RB ADRIAN
PETERSON (2nd), DT KEVIN WILLIAMS (4th), DT PAT WILLIAMS (3rd) & CB ANTOINE WINFIELD (1st) QB TARVARIS
JACKSON makes postseason debut. In past 4 games, Jackson has 8 TDs vs. 1 INT for 115.4 passer rating RB
Peterson led NFL with 1,760 rush yards & is 4th player in NFL history to lead conference in rushing in each of 1st
2 seasons. Has 3,101 rush yards in 1st 2 seasons & is 1 of 5 players to reach 3,000 yards in 1st 2 years. Led NFL
with 1,885 scrimmage yards. Since entering NFL in 2007, Peterson is averaging 103.4 yards per game, most in NFL &
16.0 yards per game more than next closest player (BRANDON JACOBS, 87.4). Has 85 runs of 10+ yards since 2007,
most in NFL & 21 more than next player (CLINTON PORTIS, 64). RB CHESTER TAYLOR has TD in 4 of past 6 WR BERNARD BERRIAN had career-high 964 yards, 20.1 avg. & 7 TDs. Has TD catch in 2 of past 3 playoff
games & both TDs have been 30+ yards. Has 22 career TD catches (including playoffs) & 16 have been 30+ yards,
including NFL-record tying 99-yarder (11/30/08 vs. Chi.). TE VISANTHE SHIANCOE set career-bests in catches (42),
yards (596) & TDs (7). WR BOBBY WADE led team with 53 catches & has led Vikings in receptions each of past 2 years Team led NFL in rush defense (76.9 yards per game) for 3rd consecutive year. DE Allen has 57.5 sacks since 2004,
most in NFL. Has 12.5 sacks in past 11. In 3 career playoff games, CB Winfield has 2 INTs, 1.0 sack & 1 FF. S DARREN
SHARPER has 2.0 sacks, 2 FFs & 2 INTs in 9 postseason games. DT Kevin Williams had 8.5 sacks, 3rd time in career he has
recorded 8.5+ sacks K RYAN LONGWELL had 127 points & has scored 90+ points in all 12 NFL seasons.
PREDICTION: Philadelphia Eagles 24, Minnesota Vikings 10
It basically comes down to three things -- the way the Eagles have played in December, the number the Eagles
did against the Cowboys last Sunday and NFL Network Analyst Steve Mariucci on Philadelphia’s defense facing Minnesota:
"Tarvaris Jackson is going to get blitzed early and often. We’ll find out if they can handle the blitzes, and some of
those are run blitzes to stop Adrian Peterson."
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has been very effective since his benching against the Ravens. Expect McNabb to keep
extending drives and getting the ball in the hands of running back Brian Westbrook and wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
For the Vikings to win, barring Eagles mistakes on offense, it will come down to how well their offensive line
protects their quarterback. If Tarvaris Jackson has decent protection plus remain composed under fire, the Vikings
then have the opportunity to control the ball on offense and rely on Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson.
RELATED NFL 2008 Playoffs
|
On Wild Card Weekend Everybody Starts on Equal Ground
In one of the most unpredictable and story-filled NFL regular seasons in memory, the road to Tampa Bay, Florida and Super
Bowl XLIII on February 1 begins this Saturday and Sunday with the NFL 2008 Playoffs and Wild Card Weekend. How each of
the NFL Playoff teams got here doesn't matter. Nor does it matter who got in first or who got in last. All that matters
is that they're here and ready to go.
Falcons Visit Cardinals in Wild Card Weekend's 1st Matchup
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
The Arizona Cardinals, which scored a franchise record 424 points, boasts a high-flying attack led by QB
Kurt Warner and wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. The Atlanta Falcons are
in the postseason for the first time since 2004. The Falcons are led by rookie QB Matt Ryan and RB Michael
Turner. The Falcons ended the season winning five of their last six, and eight of their last 10.
Don't Be Misled by Colts & Bolts Regular Season Records
Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at San Diego Chargers (8-8) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
Returning to San Diego for the second time in seven weeks to face a familiar playoff foe, the
Indianapolis Colts, 12-4, meet the San Diego Chargers, 8-8, on Saturday, January 3. The Colts and Chargers met on November 23 this season.
Indianapolis earned a 23-20 last-play victory over San Diego.
Ravens Seek to Defeat Dolphins Again in Miami
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Miami Dolphins (11-5) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
The game is a rematch of a regular season game between these teams this year, when Baltimore
registered a 27-13 win on October 19 at Dolphin Stadium. The Ravens head to Miami hoping to
return with the same result.
SHARE
NFL 2008 PLAYOFFS RANKINGS
Once teams are ranked for the playoffs, positions do not change:
American Football Conference
1. Tennessee Titans (AFC South Division champion)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North Division champion)
3. Miami Dolphins (AFC East Division champion)
4. San Diego Chargers (AFC West Division champion)
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Baltimore Ravens
National Football Conference
1. New York Giants (NFC East Division champion)
2. Carolina Panthers (NFC South Division champion)
3. Minnesota Vikings (NFC North Division champion)
4. Arizona Cardinals (NFC West Division champion)
5. Atlanta Falcons
6. Philadelphia Eagles
NFL 2008 PLAYOFFS WILD CARD WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 3
NFC: Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals, 4:30 PM ET (NBC)
AFC: Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers, 8:00 PM ET (NBC)
Sunday, January 4
AFC: Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 PM ET (CBS)
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings, 4:30 PM ET (FOX)
NFL 2008 WEEK 17 RESULTS (Sunday, December 28)
(Home team in CAPS)
ATLANTA 31, St. Louis 27
PITTSBURGH 31, Cleveland 0
New England 13, BUFFALO 0
Oakland 31, TAMPA BAY 24
CINCINNATI 16, Kansas City 6
ARIZONA 34, Seattle 21
GREEN BAY 31, Detroit 21
BALTIMORE 27, Jacksonville 7
HOUSTON 31, Chicago 24
Miami 24, N.Y. JETS 17
INDIANAPOLIS 23, Tennessee 0
PHILADELPHIA 44, Dallas 6
MINNESOTA 20, N.Y. Giants 19
SAN FRANCISCO 27, Washington 24
Carolina 33, NEW ORLEANS 31
SAN DIEGO 52, Denver 21
NFL 2008 WEEK 16 RESULTS (DECEMBER 18, 20-22)
(Home team in CAPS)
Indianapolis 31, JACKSONVILLE 24 (Thursday)
Baltimore 33, DALLAS 24 (Saturday)
San Diego 41, TAMPA BAY 24
TENNESSEE 31, Pittsburgh 14
Buffalo 30, DENVER 23
OAKLAND 27, Houston 16
SEATTLE 13, N.Y. Jets 3
Atlanta 24, MINNESOTA 17
Cincinnati 14, CLEVELAND 0
WASHINGTON 10, Philadelphia 3
New Orleans 42, DETROIT 7
Miami 38, KANSAS CITY 31
NEW ENGLAND 47, Arizona 7
San Francisco 17, ST. LOUIS 16
N.Y. GIANTS 34, Carolina 28 (OT)
CHICAGO 20, Green Bay 17 (OT) (Monday)
NFL 2008 WEEK 15 RESULTS – DECEMBER 11, 14-15
(Home Team in Caps)
CHICAGO BEARS 27, New Orleans Saints 24 (OT)
N.Y. JETS 31, Buffalo Bills 27
Seattle Seahawks 23, ST. LOUIS RAMS 20
Minnesota Vikings 35, ARIZONA CARDINALS 14
ATLANTA FALCONS 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10 (OT)
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, BALTIMORE RAVENS 9
CINCINNATI BENGALS 20, Washington Redskins 13
CAROLINA PANTHERS 30, Denver Broncos 10
HOUSTON TEXANS 13, Tennessee Titans 12
New England Patriots 49, OAKLAND RAIDERS 26
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 31, Detroit Lions 21
DALLAS COWBOYS 20, N.Y. Giants 8
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 20, Green Bay Packers 16
San Diego Chargers 22, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 21
MIAMI DOLPHINS 14, San Francisco 49ers 9
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 30, Cleveland Browns 10
NFL 2008 WEEK 14 RESULTS - DECEMBER 4, 7 - 8
(Home team in CAPS)
SAN DIEGO 34, Oakland 7
Miami 16, BUFFALO 3 (Toronto)
DENVER 24, Kansas City 17
SAN FRANCISCO 24, N.Y. Jets 14
CHICAGO 23, Jacksonville 10
New England 24, SEATTLE 21
Minnesota 20, DETROIT 16
ARIZONA 34, St. Louis 10
Houston 24, GREEN BAY 21
PITTSBURGH 20, Dallas 13
INDIANAPOLIS 35, Cincinnati 3
BALTIMORE 24, Washington 10
NEW ORLEANS 29, Atlanta 25
Philadelphia 20, N.Y. GIANTS 14
TENNESSEE 28, Cleveland 9
CAROLINA 38, Tampa Bay 23
|
|
RSS
