NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 27.2C Minnesota Vikings 14 2004–05 NFL playoffs

at lincoln financial field, philadelphia, pennsylvania

game time: 1:00 p.m. est
game weather: 31 °f (−1 °c), cloudy
game attendance: 67,722
referee: pete morelli
tv announcers (fox): joe buck (play-by-play), troy aikman, cris collinsworth (color commentators), pam oliver, , chris myers (sideline reporters)

the eagles advanced nfc championship game fourth straight year on strength of quarterback donovan mcnabb (21 out of 33 completions 286 yards , 2 touchdowns). meanwhile, vikings repeatedly shot in foot penalties (including 3 pass interference calls 78 yards), turnovers (including 2 third quarter interceptions), , other miscues. notable blown fake field goal attempt failed because did not send right personnel onto field.

midway through first quarter, mcnabb scored first points of game 2-yard touchdown pass freddie mitchell. next time eagles got ball, mcnabb completed 52-yard pass receiver greg lewis, setting second touchdown pass on 7-yard toss brian westbrook. mewelde moore returned ensuing kickoff 39 yards own 42-yard line, , 2 plays later, vikings quarterback daunte culpepper threw 40-yard completion marcus robinson. after that, finished drive 7-yard touchdown run, cutting score 14–7. eagle struck right on next drive. first, j. r. reed returned kickoff 48 yards vikings 46-yard line. after 2 penalties against minnesota gave them 33 yards, mcnabb completed 2 passes tight end l. j. smith. smith fumbled ball on second pass, mitchell recovered in end zone touchdown, increasing eagles lead 21–7.

the vikings responded drive philadelphia s 3-yard line. on fourth down, coach mike tice called fake field goal supposed involve backup quarterback gus frerotte passing ball. lineman next long snapper didn t hear call. remained in , randy moss, supposed receive pass, had run off field avoid penalty. when ball snapped, confused frerotte had no receivers pass too, , forced throw ball away. eagles drove 93 yards vikings 4-yard line, unable stop clock running out before score.

after scoreless third quarter, philadelphia kicker david akers kicked 2 field goals in final period. vikings managed respond 80-yard drive capped culpepper s 32-yard touchdown pass robinson, not recover onside kick , eagles ran out rest of clock.

culpepper threw 354 yards , 1 touchdown, intercepted twice. robinson caught 5 passes 119 yards , touchdown. westbrook rushed 70 yards , caught 5 passes 47 yards , touchdown.