Fourth Time’s a Charm For McNabb, Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – Donovan McNabb and the Eagles ignored the bur den of three straight losses in the NFC Championship Game and warmed a frozen city’s heart, stuffing Michael Vick and the Falcons 27-10 yesterday.Philadelphia moves on to its first Super Bowl in 24 years, and will meet defending champion New England in Jacksonville, Fla., on February 6.“We want to go to Jacksonville and get some closure and finish this up,” receiver Freddie Mitchell said.McNabb completed 17-of-26 passes for 180 yards, and threw a pair of touchdown passes to Chad Lewis, including the clinching score with 3:21 remaining. That turned the final minutes into a delirious coronation, the 67,717 fans saluting a team that finally fulfilled its destiny.“Super Bowl! Super Bowl!” they chanted when play was halted for the two-minute warning.The only warm-weather team left in the playoffs went cold in its biggest game of the year. Vick was sacked four times by the fearsome Philly defense, which also came up with a crucial interception that set up David Akers’s second field goal.The significance of the day was evident on the field – the Eagles pranced and posed after every big play – and in the stands, where most of the fans never bothered to sit down on a 17-degree day.“This team has great personality,” coach Andy Reid said. “Everybody here in Philadelphia loves ’em.”The Eagles are one victory away from bringing the city its first major sports championship since the 76ers won the NBA title in 1983.The football team hasn’t won it all since 1960, which predates the Super Bowl by six seasons. Philly’s only previous Super Bowl appearance came in 1981, but the Eagles fell flat in a 27-10 loss to the Raiders.Vick completed just 11-of-24 for 136 yards, while the Eagles’ stifling defense kept him from pulling off one of his signature runs. He ran it just four times for 26 yards, but gave up even more yards on the sacks. Derrick Burgess dropped the elusive quarterback twice, and Jevon Kearse kept Vick hemmed up on the other side. The Eagles didn’t blitz much – a change in philosophy – but they made sure Vick didn’t get a chance to warm up.“I didn’t get outside the pocket,” Vick said. “I think that was their first priority.”Philadelphia led only 14-10 at halftime but, as the sun gave way to a nearly full moon, they dominated the final two quarters. Akers connected from 31 and 34 yards, then McNabb and Lewis teamed up to finish off the Falcons with their 2-yard touchdown play.The Eagles were without top receiver Terrell Owens, who didn’t play because of a severe ankle injury and was reduced to a cheerleader role on the sideline. In his absence, McNabb worked the ball around to eight players, led by Brian Westbrook with five catches for 39 yards.While the temperature at kickoff was 17, it felt more like zero. A steady 26 mph wind – gusting as high as 35 mph – swept in through the openings on the north end of the stadium.Philadelphia scored on its second possession after Chris Mohr managed just an 8-yard punt into a stiff wind. The Eagles appeared to go three-and-out, but a holding penalty on rookie cornerback DeAngelo Hall kept the drive alive. Westbrook broke off a 36-yard run, and Dorsey Levens finished it off with a 4-yard touchdown run.The Falcons responded by holding the ball for almost nine minutes, also benefiting from a defensive holding penalty on third down that kept the drive alive. But Philadelphia stiffened on first-and-goal from 2, throwing T.J. Duckett for a loss – only the second negative run of the season for the 254 pound back. Atlanta was forced to settle for Jay Feely’s 23-yard field goal.Back came the Eagles for another touchdown, set up by another big play. McNabb lofted a pass to Greg Lewis, who was covered by undrafted free agent Christian Morton. Lewis slowed up to catch the ball while Morton stumbled out of position, the result being a 45-yard completion to the Atlanta 4. Two plays later, tight end Chad Lewis made a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone.The Falcons followed with their most impressive offensive display. In only five plays, they shredded the Eagles for 70 yards, capped off by Warrick Dunn’s 10-yard touchdown with 2:02 left in the first half. But Atlanta’s offense never warmed up over the final two quarters.

Fourth Time’s a Charm For McNabb, Philadelphia

Fourth Time’s a Charm For McNabb, Philadelphia

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