Stay on top of all the postseason action with FanHouse's NFL playoff coverage.So Eagles fans, do you still want to see Donovan McNabb head elsewhere?
On a day when the Eagles' running game was non-existent, McNabb threw for 300 yards, generally ran the Eagles offense efficiently and made only two serious mistakes. With an Eagles' defense that's good enough to get this team to the Super Bowl, that was enough.
The Vikings had almost everything happen according to plan and they still lost by 12. Adrian Peterson broke off a long run with a 40-yard touchdown run and scored two touchdowns. Bernard Berrian got deep for a 27-yard catch and the Vikings pass rush sacked McNabb three times.
But it wasn't enough. While Berrian did have a 27-yarder, Tarvaris Jackson completed only 15 of 35 passes for 164 yards. His one serious mistake was a big one--he threw a timing route that Asante Samuel was sitting all over. Samuel stepped in front of Sidney Rice, caught the pass on a dead run and ran 44 yards for a put 'em away touchdown. Jackson got doubly punished for his mistake as he was driven hard to the ground as he tried to tackle Samuel.
The credit for the win has to go to the Eagles' defense. Peterson had a 40-yard run, but he averaged only two yards a carry on his other 19 carries. Berrian's 27-yard catch and Peterson's 40-yard run were the only two 20-yard+ plays the Vikings had all day. For a team built around big plays and a dominating defense, that wasn't nearly enough. Brian Westbrook's short catch and long run on a 71-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter put the game away, but the way the Eagles' defense was playing, it was a bonus TD that wasn't really needed.
The Eagles are probably the team the Giants would least like to face right now, but we're going to get to see an NFC East showdown next week. If you're a Philly fan, you have to think your team at least has a chance, which seemed completely unlikely just two weeks ago.
For the Vikings, it's hard to know what to think. Jackson played well enough down the stretch to make an argument to be the team's No. 1 quarterback in 2009, but he was ineffective in his first playoff game. The defense made some serious improvements with Jared Allen, but it still could use a little more help from the offense.
And Brad Childress has gotten his team back to the playoffs, but with a fanbase that seems to actively hate him, is that enough to make him the team's long-term leader?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-04-2009 @ 8:22PM
vikefanpa said...
congatulations eagals...now for my team....get rid of childress wolf...and bring in Mike Shanahan...and he'll put a better special teams coach in place too. and he will also fix the qb problem for them...if it was my team Ziggy...thats what i would do
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1-04-2009 @ 8:26PM
Gustof19 said...
Hopefully this season was enough for childress to be on his way out of minnesota. The vikings have the talent to be one of the top teams in this league but are seriously lacking in the coaching department. If Zigi doesn't get rid of childress he is going to lose a lot of the minnesota fans!
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1-04-2009 @ 8:30PM
vikefanpa said...
exactly gust.....brad child is not the coach that will carry them to the next level...and look at the play calling right before the half and the clock management the week before. These things do not take place by soild coaching this time of year.they struggled to sell the game out....the fans are sending a message...and if he stays...its only going to get worse.. Get Shanahan...before he gets picked up by someone else Ziggy!!!
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1-04-2009 @ 8:33PM
Ted said...
Ok....Where is the guy that called me an idiot when I said the Vikes would lose to the Eagles? Where is Dennis now? Like I said ...the Vikes are just not that good. They tried, and they made it further than most teams, but for this year...they lose. Killed by an NFC East team. The best division in football. Enuff said!
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1-04-2009 @ 8:40PM
vikefanpa said...
here i am Ted...i never said they would win....they can match philly...philly has the better coaching thats all...it's ok...the vikings day will come if they change the head coach postion and improve their passing game just a little. I'm not happy but...i will never stop being a Viking fan...never! I'm not giving up!
1-04-2009 @ 8:48PM
ted said...
Hey!!! It is you. At least your man enuff to admit defeat. I respect you for that. And sticking with your team. Most people dont stick with thier team when they lose. Like the Dallas Cryboys fans. They are the worst. They jump on and off the bandwagon all the time. See ya late bro! Fun chatting wit ya' Maybe you can get Shanahan...it will help your team...and a special teams coach...See ya.
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1-04-2009 @ 9:00PM
ron said...
Damn, the lineman had to beg on TV for the fans to buy tickets. WOW!!!! Some hell of a fan base. NEXT______________ The Giants
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1-04-2009 @ 9:07PM
Brent Schmidt said...
I'm calling it now... the next Vikes playoff game won't even come close to selling out.
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1-04-2009 @ 9:45PM
Art said...
Damn! We boobirds will just have to shut the hell up for a while. Go Eagles! McNab, just try not to give the game away to the Giants next week while Westbrook stands there shaking his head yet once again, OK?
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1-04-2009 @ 9:53PM
JD said...
Not all Eagles fans want to get rid of McNabb or Reid. Just some very vocal ones. Some of us see how Reid and McNabb have gotten us into the playoffs seven out of ten years and we are happy with the job they are doing. Thanks to the Vikings for a great game and I look forward to seeing the game against the Giants next week. Go Eagles!
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1-04-2009 @ 11:11PM
Me in the mirror said...
Go Eagles, Good game vikes, i think you will have a good QB there next year and be a dangerous team. This may be the last year for some of the eagles core team so lets give it a run. Thanks for another week of football eagles.
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1-05-2009 @ 12:15AM
John said...
My ex-wife is a Viking fan and it is a shame that they lost,they were doing so good but they ran into a better team.
Get rid of Childress and get a better coach,I am now a Cowboy fan ven though I live in Minnesota.
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1-05-2009 @ 12:51AM
pez said...
Ya know the funny thing is everyone sounds like a philly fan when their team looses to the philly teams(except the sixers they just stink). But calling for childress head come on he is a great coach. He can bring you further than you realize. Yer special teams however stunk. Then it was experience that took over. Welcome to the playoffs it is what it was. You learn regroup and start again next year. I have to say this I got my lucky rabbit's foot out fer next weeks game cause it is going to be a beating fer both teams. Pure NFC EAST BEASTS. Lets go EAGLES and btw william penn is on top again.
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1-05-2009 @ 1:39AM
Dave F. said...
I agree with pez. This was Travris first playoff and he did well against a team that was suppose to blow us out. He handle the blitzes for the first half and started to fall in the third. He is new to the playoff level and did well. Yes we wanted to win, but this part of the growing with a young QB. Compare him to weeks one and two and he has grown. I am not giving up on the vikes because I do see steady improvement maybe because I want to. But it is a change from last yaer and thats what I ask for, and asking again next year, just to go farther each year. This team doesn't stick out like the cowboys or the patriots but I is starting to get notice buy other teams. just read their blogs before we play each team and that will be your guide on growth. And the cardinals can tell you what happens when you look past us like they did. This team is just getting started. Stand back, because a few more key players and we will be unstoppable.
Go Vikes!!!!!
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1-05-2009 @ 3:00AM
Gene said...
This was a great tune up for the return trip to NY...'On the road to Victory'!!! E-A-G-L-E-S.....EAGLES!!!...GO BIRDS!!!
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1-05-2009 @ 5:50AM
tommy said...
I have been a Cowboy fan since 1967. In the Tom Landry days the Cowboys had alot of class. Even during Jimmy Johnson's reign--they still showed some class. But there hasn't been any class since that time. Here is a team that was loaded with talent and couldn't make it to the show. They are still my Cowboys and always will be--but there needs to be some major changes made all over. I don't belittle other fans and their teams--win or lose--so you guys give us good Cowboy fans a break.
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1-05-2009 @ 6:46AM
Vikingsfan said...
I agree with you, tommy. I don't understand why other people have to come on here and bash teams or their fans. The Cowboys may have some problems but when you look at it what team in the league doesn't have some problems? When people come on here and generalize a fanbase as the "Cryboys" fans it's just idiotic because I know several 'Boys fans who are the exact opposite. Being a Vikings fan I understand entirely; constantly hearing the word "Viqueens". The Eagles are a great football team and the Vikings are an up-and-coming football team and they gave the Eagles a run for their money but fell just short due to inexperience and, in my opinion, shoddy coaching. So here's to a great year of football and high hopes for the next season!
Skol Vikes!!!!
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1-05-2009 @ 12:36PM
JD said...
I'm a diehard Eagles fan, but I don't berate other teams. I came on to post after the Cowboy game, but only to express my excitement over beating the Boys since they are our biggest rivals. I didn't call their fans names or make fun of their players, even though I detest TO because of his history with our team and his lousy attitude. I don't say bad things about other fans because I hate when people say all Eagles fans are rude just because of a few bad ones,. Some trash talk can be fun and add to the excitement of following a team, but some fans take it way too far. Thanks again to the Vikings for a good game and good luck next season!
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1-05-2009 @ 1:54PM
GATORDIVA said...
CHILDRESS MUST GO!!!
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1-05-2009 @ 6:30PM
Leftyfixit said...
Okay, my Vikings lost. They Did have a good run. They Did win the NFC North. They Are a team that had ups and downs and yes even the Eagles took notice of playing them with a possibility of going home early. With time and good coaching they Will return to the playoffs. I am glad to see them getting better in the last few seasons. i have No desire to bash Any team as Everyone has a bad day sooner or later.And as for Gus Ferot, It May be time to retire. He did make a grand play against chicago that was worth watching a few times. Next year, look out NFL lol
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