Eagles on Playoff Road Warrior Mission

Brian Westbrook NFL 2008 Week 17 NFL Preview | Cowboys (9-6) at Eagles (8-6-1) NFL 2008 Week 17 Analysis & Prediction

After weak starts this NFL season, both the Eagles and Vikings finished strong to propel themselves into the NFL 2008 playoffs.

Both clubs started the season slowly, the Eagles were 2-3 and the Vikings 1-3. But both finished the season with strong winning streaks as the Eagles won 4 of their last 5, while the Vikings won 5 of their last 6. "We had to earn it, as it should be, and that makes it that much sweeter," says Vikings head coach Brad Childress, speaking, really, about both clubs. And why shouldn't he? Childress was the Eagles' offensive coordinator from 2002-05.

The teams are distinct in their offensive approaches.

Philadelphia is a pass-first club, Minnesota a run-first. They have the people to back up those philosophies. Eagles QB DONOVAN MC NABB finished fourth and fifth in the NFL, respectively, in attempts and completions. Vikings RB ADRIAN PETERSON led the league in rushing (1,760 yards).

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'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 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)

Don't Be Fooled by Colts & Bolts Records - NFL 2008 Playoffs