NFL Playoffs: Philadelphia Travels To Minnesota and Comes Away a Winner

This is the last game of the wild card weekend. I am currently 2-1 and I have the Eagles to take care of business today, against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Eagles, to be successful in this game, need to do three things; run, run, and run.

A balanced offense will be the key to continued success in the playoffs for McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Vikings will rely on Adrian Peterson to run the ball well, while Tarvaris Jackson must not make rookie mistakes, and hurt Minnesota's chances.

Minnesota also has the number one defense against the run in the league this season.

Let the game begin!

McNabb comes out firing and mixes a couple of runs to Westbrook. Two completions get a first down , but they have to punt to Minnesota on the first series.

Minnesota takes over on their own 10 for the first series of the game for Jackson and the Vikings.

I think this kind of game could end up 14-7 Philadelphia.They should be able to stop the running of Peterson, and i have no faith in Jackson to win this game for the Vikings.

Jackson throws a long one incomplete and Peterson starts by losing a yard and it's third and 12. They hand it off to Chester Taylor and he gets a first down. Everyone was keying on Peterson.

Minnesota is also stopped on their first series and punts back to Philadelphia.

A big punt return of 62 yards by DeSean Jackson and the Eagles have good field position.

They hand it to Westbrook for a short gain on first down. The crowd is loud on the home field of Minnesota. McNabb scrambles for no yards.

Third and nine; holding on the offense and it's fourth and nine. Akers comes in for a 44 yard field goal. It's good as he drills it. 3-0 Philadelphia.

Minnesota picks up a couple of first downs in the next series and is trying to move down the field on the tough Philadelphia defense.

Brian Dawkins is flying around the field punishing people for the Eagles. Jackson makes a nice throw for another first down and gets the Vikings to mid-field.

Peterson picks up two and it's second and eight. A screen pass comes up short and it's third and eight. Another incompletion and Minnesota has to punt again.

Philadelphia takes over on their own 16 as time winds down in the first quarter.

The Eagles are moving the ball better, now and seem to be settling in.

The first quarter ends with the Eagles leading 3-0.

Akers hits another 51 yard field goal and the Eagles increase their lead to 6-0 to start the second quarter.

Minnesota has a nice drive, capped off by a 40 yard run by Peterson. Touchdown, Vikings. 7-6 Minnesota leads.

McNabb makes a nice throw down to the 29 yard line of Minnesota to DeSean Jackson.

8:32 left in the half. Westbrook is slowly getting into the game with a little success running as well. Akers comes in for yet another field goal. A 31 yarder is good. 9-7 Philadelphia.

Philadelphia gets an interception from Asante Samuel and he races in for a touchdown, There's your first mistake by Jackson. I expect more of those tonight. 16-7 Philadelphia over Minnesota.

I think, perhaps this was the easiest first round winner to pick!

Minnesota must be very careful now, not to let this one get away from them. Philadelphia is very difficult to catch, once they have a lead.

The Vikings are answering this challenge, however with a nice drive of their own. First and goal at the six, after a series of nice throws by Jackson, and some nice runs by Taylor and Peterson.

Peterson gets his second touchdown as the Vikings close the gap in this game. Nine plays for 53 yards, in 5 and 1/2 minutes. 16-14. All right, maybe not so easy a pick.

1:51 left in the half and the Eagles have two time outs. Andy Reid, the coach of the Eagles has never lost a first round playoff game. Bet you didn't know that!  He is six for six.

On third and one, McNabb throws long, and gets it intercepted. That seemed like a dumb play.

Minnesota however, is very conservative , and punts it right back to the Eagles.

Philadelphia gets it back with a time out and 18 seconds left at the Eagles 42 yard line.

Westbrook gains nine yards and there's 13 seconds left. Time runs out in the half after a short pass to Westbrook.

It's another close game so far. Minnesota and Tavaris Jackson are doing what they have to, keeping this one within reach.

The second half begins and Minnesota  trys to get it going again. Jackson has the ball knocked loose by Dawkins and  Minnesota has to punt.

A holding call on the Eagles pins them deep in their own territory.

McNabb makes a big completion on third down and 11 to get some breathing room, out to the 14. McNabb makes another strong throw for a first down. 

Another 19 yard completion for the Eagles for three in a row. The Eagles are moving the ball again with a fourth pass in a row, complete.

Third and three to go as one falls incomplete. Another third down conversion for a first down. First and 10 at the Vikings 38 yard line.

Westbrook runs no where and the run is not working for the Eagles. Third and seven. McNabb is sacked and the Eagles have to punt. That sack took the Eagles out of field goal range.

It's still anybody's game as the Vikings take over.

Minnesota is all the way back on their own 10 yard line. Taylor gains six yards on first down. Peterson picks up three and it's third and one. Peterson is stopped and the Vikings punt the ball back to the Eagles.

DeSean Jackson makes a 30 yard return to give the Eagles good field position once again.On the second play from scrimmage, the rush of Minnesota gets to McNabb and jars the ball loose. The Vikings recover.

One more quarter and wild card weekend is over. Eagles lead to start the fourth quarter 16-14.

The Vikings have to punt again and the Eagles get it back , again. Philadelphia takes over at the 20 yard line. The call is challenged and Philadelphia is starting at their own four yard line instead.

Westbrook only gains one yard. He has 14 rushes for 27 yards is all. McNabb throws for 11 yards and a first down to Avant.

McNabb fires a bullet to Reggie Brown for nine more yards.  Westbrook gets the first down and three more yards to his total.

McNabb hits Kevin Curtis for 13 more yards and another first down. Westbrook runs it again for no gain. Second and 10. False start on the Eagles makes it second and 15 to go.

Another short completion and it's third and seven to go. Minnesota holds again and take over on their 19 yard line, still down two points.

This is turning into a real nail-biter for both the Minnesota and Philadelphia fans.

Philadelphia holds the Vikings again, and once again, have the ball back. I'm not sure if anyone is going to score anymore points, as it's now a defensive battle, all the way.

Oops, I spoke too soon, as Westbrook gets a couple of blocks and romps 73 yards for a touchdown.on a screen pass. Eagles 23, Minnesota 14.

6:37 left in the game. as Minnesota's back is now against the proverbial wall.

Philadelphia holds the Vikings to a three and out and the Vikings punt again.

The Eagles have the ball, with only 6:07 left in the game.

It looks like you will see the Eagles play the Giants next week for the third time this season. Arizona will travel to take on the Carolina Panthers. San Diego travels out to Pittsburgh, and Baltimore goes to Tennessee, to take on the Titans.

See NFL Playoff Predictions and Conference Match-Ups for my picks. I am 3-1 for wild card weekend.

The Vikings will try to score one more time as they held Philadelphia and gets the ball back at their own 15 yard line with 3:41 to go.

This one's over folks.

Thanks for all the reads and comments, Final score Philadelphia 26 Minnesota 14.

Thomas [NFL Mikee] Moreland.