Following Sunday's 23-11 win over the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, Donovan McNabb and the Eagles are heading to Arizona to take on the surprising Cardinals in what will be the Birds' fifth NFC Championship Game appearance in eight seasons.
The Eagles, playing their third straight road game in the playoffs, will most likely be favorites in what could be McNabb's last opportunity to bring a Super Bowl title to Philly.
Despite facing constant pressure from the Giants defense, McNabb was able to get the job done today when it counted the most. His numbers weren't spectacular—22 of 40 for 217 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, plus a rushing touchdown—but considering that the Giants were able to shut down Brian Westbrook, McNabb played very well.
He made the plays he needed to make for the Eagles to win. His one-yard quarterback sneak up the middle on second and goal early in the game gave the Eagles an early lead. The Giants eventually pressured McNabb into throwing the ball away, forcing a safety, and a later field goal gave New York the lead back. McNabb never panicked, hitting his receivers for key throws when it mattered.
McNabb led a nice two-minute drill right before halftime, setting up David Akers for an easy field goal and a halftime lead. For the game, McNabb and the Eagles converted seven of 14 third downs. That 50 percent success rate would lead the NFL if projected over a full season.
Perhaps the biggest play of today was a 3rd-and-20 deep in his own territory. Facing a strong pass rush from the Giants, McNabb managed to elude the defense and hit a wide-open Jason Avant for a key 21-yard gain to keep the chains moving. It's impossible to measure momentum, but that play was huge for the Eagles.
McNabb then hit a sprinting Kevin Curtis in stride for what would have been a big 30 or 40-yard play, but Curtis couldn't hold on.
It didn't matter, as McNabb hit Curtis for a 15-yard first down two plays later and Buckhalter on a 19-yarder on a third down to keep the drive alive. Akers eventually kicked a 34-yard field goal, giving the Eagles a 13-11 lead they would never relinquish.
In the fourth quarter, McNabb hit tight end Brent Celek with a perfectly thrown touchdown pass to extend the Eagles' lead to nine points. Late in the game, McNabb hit DeSean Jackson for a 48-yarder down to the Giants' one, and another Akers field goal put the game away.
For the second straight week, the opponent's strong run defense was able to shut down the Eagles' ground game (a combined 43 yards on 23 carries for Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter), putting the ball in McNabb's hands. And for the second straight week, McNabb responded in a big way.
The weather conditions made it difficult for both offenses, but McNabb clearly outplayed last year's Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.
Next for McNabb is the Arizona Cardinals, a team whose secondary is flooded with former Philadelphia Eagles (cornerbacks Rod Hood and Matt Ware). McNabb torched these Cardinals on a Thanksgiving prime time game, throwing for 260 yards and four touchdowns against no interceptions as the Eagles rolled, 48-20.
It will be another tough matchup—these Cardinals aren't the same team that lost four out of six to close out the regular season—but I see no reason for the Eagles not to emerge from Arizona victorious on their way to a Super Bowl.
With a healthy and motivated McNabb anxiously awaiting his first Super Bowl title, I don't think any team wants to play these Philadelphia Eagles when it matters.
25 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
Eric Quackenbush 5 months ago
This next game will be touger, but the one thing I do like that Philly has that the Panthers and Falcons didn't have, is McNabb can be a mobile quarterback, if needs be. We also have competent receivers, tight ends are playing good, and the combo of Westbrook and Buckhalter has been really great! The Eagles defense is something really special too, and Dawkins is just as amazing as he's ever been. Asante Samuel is paying off when it really counts, too. Great playmaking by Quiten Mikell, and Mike Patterson today as well.
Great article!
5 stars and a POTD.
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Cody Swartz 5 months ago
Yeah that defense is something special. Every single player is playing like an All-Pro right now.
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Orlando Morales 5 months ago
Happy happy joy joy. Awesome job Cody. Let's go crush Arizona.
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Cody Swartz 5 months ago
Amen. I think we'll win solid. Put some pressure on Warner and force some turnovers.
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Bryn Swartz 5 months ago
Great article. 5 stars. McNabb wasn't great today, but he was better than Eli, and that's what matters.
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Christian Karcole 5 months ago
He was great when it counted...third down. And yeah, way better than Eli.
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Ryan Callahan 5 months ago
Great game, great article. The Eagles defense is SOLID
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Cody Swartz 5 months ago
And defense wins championships...
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Day Chau 5 months ago
Great read, lol you earned a pick. Let's see some fire from the eagles offense next week.
Donovan really deserves it sometime soon.
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Cody Swartz 5 months ago
If the defense keeps playing like it has and the offense steps it up a little more, no one can stop us.
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Scott Eisenlohr 5 months ago
They can handle an improved Arizona team.
They have a tough assignment against either Pittsburgh, who they beat, and Baltimore, who they infamously lost to. I fear Baltimore, but the Eagles fear no one, and that is what is important.
Good story and recap.
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Cody Swartz 5 months ago
Whoever we play in the Super Bowl - Balitmore or Pittsburgh - is going to be tough to beat. Very tough.
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Day Chau 5 months ago
If i learned something after the colt's loss, its not to jump the gun even for your team. Lets see what happens next weekend first.
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Dan Parzych 5 months ago
Great article here Cody. That 3rd and 20 play was huuuuuuge for the Birds. I can't wait for next weekends matchup against the Cards.
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Bryn Swartz 5 months ago
That was the biggest play of the game.
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Craig Swartz 5 months ago
I can't imagine we'll lose to Arizona....after all, it's the Cardinals. But it's been a strange playoffs. I think we come out with a solid win and a Super Bowl berth against the Steelers. This may be our year!
No question the Avant play turned the momentum. I thought the game was slipping away at that point. Nice article, good recap.
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Eric Quackenbush 5 months ago
No one thought they could lose to Arizona. I didn't think my Panthers could, as well I didn't think the Falcons would. I just hope the Eagles don't fall into that trap.
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daniel cox 5 months ago
cody, good job. congrats on the win.
i'm glad you aknowledge that this game will not, for whatever crazy reason, will not feature the same cardinals team.
i'd say be careful saying things like this; "but I see no reason for the Eagles not to emerge from Arizona victorious on their way to a Super Bowl."
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Garrett Derr 5 months ago
Cody,
Somehow..someway we made it. Great Article. 5 stars
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Richard Monihan 5 months ago
5 NFC Championship games in 10 years may not be enough to put the McNabb/Reid naysayers to bed.
It's all or nothing for that lot.
After this season, I've felt the problem (if there is one...beginning to wonder now...) has been Reid's distractions. I've also felt, as the season swooned at week 8 or so, that unless Reid won it all, it may have been time to start taking some drastic steps.
McNabb, I've never been concerned about. I know alot of people dislike him. But his stats are all HOF material. People can say what they want about getting rid of him - but until you consider what he's had to work with over the years, you can't make those statements. He's made the plays when they've counted most this year. Should he continue to make them, I believe he will vindicate himself.
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Cody Swartz 5 months ago
I believe McNabb is one Super Bowl ring away from the Hall of Fame.
And if you want to look at it even better, it's five NFC Championship Games in eight years, not 10.
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Richard Monihan 5 months ago
True that - 5 in 8 is closer to the truth than 5 in 10. But he HAS been in Philly for 10 years, so it all counts in my book. Either way, it's quite an accomplishment.
And regardless of a Super Bowl, I think McNabb will get into the HOF, barring an end of career meltdown.
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Cody Swartz 5 months ago
And I'll be there to cheer him on...
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Clark Miller 5 months ago
Nice article. This could be Dawkins last year to win a Super Bowl which would cap off fantastic Hall of Fame career. Go Eagles!
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Cody Swartz 5 months ago
Thanks, Clark. It's fans like you who deserve a championship.
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