East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Donovan McNabb threw for a touchdown and rushed for another and the Eagles' defense kept the New York Giants out of the end zone, as the defending Super Bowl champions were ousted by rival Philadelphia, 23-11, in a physical NFC Divisional playoff battle.
Windy conditions at the Meadowlands kept both offenses in check, but it was the Philly defense which never broke in a battle of the trenches. Two fourth- down stuffs in the fourth quarter, Asante Samuel's interception of Eli Manning to set up a touchdown, and just 15 first downs allowed has the Eagles one win away from Super Bowl XLIII.
McNabb connected on 22-of-40 passes for 217 yards with two interceptions for the Eagles (11-6-1), while DeSean Jackson compiled 81 yards on four receptions in the victory.
Brian Westbrook, who carried Philadelphia to a 20-14 decision in Week 14 in New York, was bottled up for a mere 36 yards on 18 carries.
Brian Westbrook, who carried Philadelphia to a 20-14 decision in Week 14 in New York, was bottled up for a mere 36 yards on 18 carries.
David Akers was a key ingredient to the win, hitting all three of his field goals attempts while counterpart John Carney missed two of his five attempts.
Philly's opponent in the NFC Championship Game is a familiar one, as the Eagles' run of four victories in their final five regular season games to barely sneak into the playoffs started with a 48-20 thumping of the Arizona Cardinals in a Thanksgiving nightcap.
The NFC West champions surprisingly man-handled the Carolina Panthers, 33-13, in their playoff battle on Saturday to reach their first ever NFC Championship game, and now Arizona will be the host next Sunday at 3:00 p.m. (et).
The script was flipped on the Giants (12-5), as last year's improbable run saw them upset the top-seeded Cowboys in the Divisional round before victories over Green Bay and previously unbeaten New England in Super Bowl XLII.
This time around Manning couldn't come up with the big play in a sub-par effort, hitting just 13-of-27 passes for 158 yards and two interceptions in New York's early exit from the postseason.
Brandon Jacobs rushed for 92 yards on 19 carries, while the receiving corps desperately missed Plaxico Burress, as Kevin Boss had a team-high 52 receiving yards on three grabs.
Brandon Jacobs rushed for 92 yards on 19 carries, while the receiving corps desperately missed Plaxico Burress, as Kevin Boss had a team-high 52 receiving yards on three grabs.
The Giants averaged just under 19 points a game in the final four regular season tilts without Burress, who was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list after he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a night club in late November. The Giants went 1-4 without their star wideout.
01/11 16:47:57 ET
01/11 16:47:57 ET
hiladelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) lunges into the end zone for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the first quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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