Until Next Time,
~NDY~

Jacksonville, Here We Come!!!

The Eagles dominated Atlanta on Sunday, beating the Falcons 27-10 in the NFC Championship Game and advancing to Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, FL.

A strong defensive effort rendered Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick ineffective and the Eagles offense relied on an efficient performance by Donovan McNabb and a strong running game to beat the Falcons.

Here is how the game unfolded:

FIRST QUARTER

Atlanta won the toss and Allen Rossum returned the opening kickoff to the 20-yard line, where he was brought down hard by Keith Adams.

On first down from there, quarterback Michael Vick ran to his right and gained 2 yards before Adams brought him down. On second and 8, Warrick Dunn carried to the left side and Adams was there again after a 1-yard gain.

Vick called a timeout, and then the Falcons set up for a pass. Vick had time, didn't find anybody opened and tried to run. But the Eagles were there and Corey Simon and Brian Dawkins got to Vick at the 25-yard line.

Atlanta punted and Chris Mohr's kick died at the Eagles 39-yard line. That's where the Eagles started their first possession.

On first down from the 39, Donovan McNabb went to Todd Pinkston on the left side for a gain of 13 yards to the Atlanta 48-yard line. Then McNabb scrambled for a gain to the 40, and the Eagles gained another 5 yards on an Atlanta holding penalty.

Brian Westbrook was stopped for no gain on first down, and on second down -- after an Eagles timeout -- McNabb completed a screen pass to Josh Parry that was snuffed out after a 3-yard gain.

On third and 7 from the 32, McNabb overthrew Chad Lewis in the middle of the field and the Eagles lined up for a long field goal. David Akers never got it off. The Eagles tried a fake, with Koy Detmer completing a pass to Chad Lewis for 3 yards.

Atlanta took over on the 30-yard line.

Dunn then ran left and gained 8 yards to the 38-yard line. On second down, Dunn ran right and gained a first down at the 41-yard line.

Vick then threw a pass down the field for Dez White, and while the pass was incomplete, Sheldon Brown was penalized for pass interference and the Falcons had the ball at the Philadelphia 40-yard line.

Dunn carried for no gain on first down. On second down, Vick completed a pass to fullback Fred McCrary for 3 yards to the 37-yard line. On third and 7, Vick looked, tried to run, found nowhere to go and threw a pass down the field. Just as he let go, Vick was crushed by Derrick Burgess. The pass was incomplete and Vick was very slow to get up, with what looked to be a painful midsection.

Atlanta punted but the wind blew the ball dead at the Eagles 30-yard line. On first down, McNabb threw down the field for Westbrook, but Westbrook could not hold on and the pass was incomplete.

On second down, Westbrook tried to run to the right side and was stopped for no gain. On third and 10, McNabb threw incomplete down the left side for Greg Lewis. But Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall was penalized for an illegal hands to the face and the Eagles had a first down at the 35-yard line.

Westbrook then carried to the left side for a gain of 4 yards. On second and 6, Westbrook carried on a counter and followed some great blocks from Artis Hicks and Jon Runyan for a 36-yard gain to the Atlanta 25-yard line.

On first down, McNabb found L.J. Smith in a seam, and Smith made the catch, turned up the field and advanced to the 4-yard line for a 21-yard gain.

On first and goal, Dorsey Levens used a first and second and third effort and, aided by a Jermane Mayberry block, got into the end zone. Akers added the PAT and the Eagles led 7-0 with 4:16 remaining in the first quarter. The drive: 70 yards, 6 plays, 1 penalty -- a very costly one against Hall working against Pinkston.

Rossum returned Akers' kickoff to the 31-yard line, and that's where Atlanta set up offensively. On first down, Vick tried to roll left, but Jevon Kearse was waiting for him and Vick threw incomplete. Then Vick faked a handoff and ran right and gained 9 yards to the 40. On third and 1, Brown picked off a Vick pass, but Michael Lewis was called for holding against Alge Crumpler, the intended receiver, and the interception was nullified.

Atlanta had a first down at the 45-yard line. Dunn then ran to the left side for a 2-yard gain before Jeremiah Trotter nailed him. On second down, Vick made his magic work -- Burgess and Kearse had shots at him -- and ran for a first down to the Eagles 40-yard line.

Then Dunn ran to the left and gained 7 yards to the 33-yard line. T.J. Duckett then had a carry to the left side for 2 yards, setting up a key third-and-1 play.

Duckett carried to the right side, but Sam Rayburn penetrated and tackled him for no gain. The Eagles called a timeout, forcing Atlanta to take one more play against the wind.

On fourth down, Duckett carried to the left side and gained 5 yards and a first down at the 26-yard line.

SECOND QUARTER

Vick rolled left and threw back to the right to Crumpler for a 3-yard gain on first down from the 26. On second down, Dunn carried left for a 2-yard gain to the 21. Then Atlanta, on third and 5, motioned Vick and made a direct snap to Dunn, who ran left for a gain of 7 yards and a first down at the 14.

Vick then went quickly to Crumpler, split out wide, and he gained 8 yards to the 6-yard line. Duckett then powered over the left side to the 2-yard line and Atlanta had a first-and-goal situation.

Duckett carried on first down and lost a yard on a nice play by Hollis Thomas. On second and goal, Michael Lewis batted down a Vick pass, and it was third and goal from the 3.

Vick danced around in the pocket, found nobody open and then was hit hard for a 2-yard loss by Thomas. Jay Feely booted a 22-yard field goal, and Atlanta drew to within 7-3 with 10:19 remaining in the second quarter.

Atlanta used 17 plays, plus one penalty, to go 64 yards and ate up 8:57 off the clock on the drive.

J.R. Reed returned Feely's kickoff to the 28-yard line, and the Eagles started from there with 10:10 remaining in the second quarter.

On first down, McNabb ran and gained 6 yards to the 34-yard line. Then Levens ran up the gut for 3 yards to the 37, and the Eagles had a third and 1. Levens carried and picked up a first down at the 39-yard line.

An illegal shift penalty wiped out a 17-yard catch and run by Smith. On first and 15, Levens carried up the middle and gained 4 yards. On second down, McNabb threw to the right side for Smith, who fell down and the pass was incomplete.

On third and 11, McNabb escaped pressure -- twice -- and threw for 13 yards to Freddie Mitchell.

From the Atlanta 49, McNabb threw deep for Greg Lewis. The ball got caught up in the wind and Lewis adjusted, made the catch and went down at the 4-yard line.

Levens carried to the right side for 1 yard. From the 3-yard line, McNabb threw to the right corner of the end zone and Chad Lewis made a beautiful catch, just getting both feet in bounds and the Eagles, after Akers' PAT, led 14-3 with 4:58 left in the second quarter. Drive: The Eagles moved 72 yards in 9 plays and consumed 5:29 off the clock.

On the ensuing kickoff, Rossum was cut down at the Falcons' 30-yard line. Dunn got the call and gained 3 yards to the left side. Vick dropped back and fired a strike to Peerless Price for a 14-yard gain.

From the Falcons' 47, Dunn lost 3 yards as he was pounded in the backfield by Jeremiah Trotter. An incomplete pass on the next play was negated when Rayburn was flagged for a 15-yard personal foul (blow to Vick's head) penalty. Atlanta quickly got 31 yards on the next play as Vick connected with Crumpler down the middle. Dawkins delivered a punishing hit on Crumpler, but the tight end held onto the ball.

On first down from the Eagles' 10, Dunn found room over right tackle and went untouched into the end zone on a 10-yard run to draw the Falcons within 14-10 with just over two minutes remaining in the half.

Hood returned the ensuing kickoff to the Eagles' 29. Kerney beat Jon Runyan on first down and dropped McNabb for a 6-yard loss on first down. Westbrook quickly got 9 yards back on a nice run to the left. McNabb escaped a rush on third down and threw short to Westbrook who appeared to net first-down yardage. However, it was short and Dirk Johnson came on to punt.

Rossum returned Johnson's punt 12 yards to set up Atlanta at its own 35. Vic's first-down pass was batted down by Corey Simon. Kearse chased down and dropped Vick for a 17-yard loss on the next play as the first half came to an end.

THIRD QUARTER

Following Reed's return, Philadelphia started at its 27. Westbrook started things with a 3-yard run. Westbrook took a swing pass on second down and was run out of bounds after a 5-yard gain. McNabb scrambled and ran to his right for 8 yards and a first down.

From the Eagles' 43, McNabb threw incomplete deep down the left sideline for Pinkston. However, the Falcons were flagged for illegal contact. McNabb threw to Levens for a gain of 4 yards on first down. Westbrook found running room up the middle on the next play, gaining 8 yards to move the chains.

From Atlanta's 40, Westbrook appeared to be bottled up at the line of scrimmage but was able to bounce his way outside for a gain of 12 yards. Westbrook found similar success on the next play, gaining 11 yards. He also got a nice block from Hank Fraley.

Westbrook fumbled but quickly recovered it on a first-down play from Atlanta's 17. He lost 5 yards. Westbrook took a short pass and gained 9 yards on second down. McNabb dodged defenders in the pocket on third down and then lobbed a pass for Dorsey Levens which was nearly intercepted. Akers then came on and connected on a 31-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 17-10 lead.

Rossum muffed the ensuing kickoff but recovered and downed it for a touchback. From its 20, Atlanta started things with Dunn plowing forward for 6 yards. Dunn got the call on second down and picked up 7 yards. Vick danced around the pocket on the next play and was tripped up and sacked by Derrick Burgess. Vick lost 9 yards. Dunn gained 4 yards on second down. On third-and-15, Brown tackled Michael Jenkins after a 7-yard reception and Atlanta was forced to punt.

Chris Mohr's punt was killed by the wind and the Eagles got the ball on their own 47-yard line with 5:42 remaining in the third.

Westbrook ran to the left side and was tackled by Brady Smith for a loss of one yard. On second and 11, McNabb in play action found Westbrook over the middle for a 14-yard gain and a first down. On 1st and 10, McNabb faked the handoff and threw incomplete to Levens. Second and 10, screen pass to Levens is complete but he trips and loses two yards.

On 3rd and 12, McNabb is flushed out of the pocket and makes a two-yard gain before being tackled by Keith Brooking. The Eagles are called for an illegal shift penalty (two men moving) but it's denied.

Punter Dirk Johnson's punt was downed inside the 10-yard line but a holding penalty by J.R. Reed forces a replay of the down, 10 yards back. Now at midfield, Johnson's punt (36 yards) is downed at the Atlanta 14 by Mike Bartrum.

On 1st and 10, Vick fakes the handoff and throws a short pass that is intercepted by Brian Dawkins!!! He returns it to the 11-yard line after a 19-yard return!

On first down, Tra Thomas is called for a false start penalty. The five yards puts the ball back at the 16-yard line. McNabb throws an incomplete screen to L.J. Smith. On second down, McNabb throws to Mitchell on the out pattern to the sideline for a seven-yard gain. On third and eight from the nine-yard line, McNabb has the ball knocked out from his blindside by Brady Smith. McNabb recovers and the Eagles lose seven yards.

David Akers nailed the 34-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 20-10 lead with 2:00 left in the third quarter.

Rossum returned the ensuing kick to his 28-yard line. Vick rolled to his left on first down and threw incomplete for McCrary. Duckett gained 4 yards with a run on second down. Vick hooked up with a wide-open Brian Finneran, who gained 29 yards before being run out of bounds. From the Eagles' 39, Duckett was stuffed for no gain on first down. That was the final play of the third quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

Lewis came on a safety blitz and forced an incomplete pass on second down. Dunn took a delayed handoff on third down and was stopped after a 2-yard gain. Atlanta punted and watched as the ball went into the end zone for a touchback.

From the Eagles' 20, Levens gained 4 yards up the middle. McNabb overthrew Westbrook on second down. McNabb pitched to Greg Lewis on third down and the speedy Lewis netted 10 yards. With a new set of downs, Westbrook rushed for 4 yards up the middle. McNabb's second-down pass was incomplete for Levens. McNabb threw incomplete again on third down and the Eagles were forced to punt.

Rossum was limited on his punt return and Atlanta took possession at its 30-yard line. Vick threw a short pass to Dunn that was good for a 4-yard gain. Vick faked a handoff on the next play but didn't fool Burgess, who dropped him for a 5-yard loss. Sheppard had coverage on Price as Vick's third down pass fell incomplete. Mohr punted 32 yards to Reno Mahe.

The Eagles took over at their 35-yard line. Westbrook took a delayed handoff and picked up 2 yards on first down. McNabb rolled and gained 6 yards on the next play. McNabb hooked up with Chad Lewis over the middle on third down. The play was good for 12 yards.

From Atlanta's 45, Westbrook rushed for a yard. Chad Lewis was the target on the next pass, which went incomplete. However, Atlanta was flagged for a 4-yard pass interference penalty. McNabb then connected with Greg Lewis for 20 yards.

From Atlanta's 20, Westbrook gained a yard on first down. Westbrook ran around left end for 5 yards on the next play. McNabb netted first-down yardage with a 6-yard run up the middle.

Three plays later, McNabb threw to Chad Lewis for a 2-yard touchdown to seal the deal.

FINAL: Eagles 27, Falcons 10