Just like that, it's over for the Vikings

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 01/08/2009

In the National Football League, you'd better have your engine running when the playoffs begin, because you only have 60 minutes to get the job done or go home. The finality of it all is so sudden, and for teams like the Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons, very good seasons are over just like that.

For the Vikings, the NFC East again ends a championship dream. In 2004, Daunte Culpepper, then-Head Coach Mike Tice and the Vikings ran into Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles; the result was 27-14 in favor of the Eagles. This year, McNabb and the Eagles came into a sold-out Metrodome and delivered a mighty one-two punch.

McNabb threw for 300 yards on 23 of 34 passing attempts, including a backbreaker 71-yard touchdown screen pass to the great Brian Westbrook. The Eagles defense did the rest, containing NFL leading rusher Adrian Peterson, holding him to 83 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles win.

This tight game hung in the balance forever; it seemed the Eagles jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two David Akers field goals until Peterson burst open and scampered 40 yards for a touchdown, giving the Vikings their only lead, 7-6. From that point on, the Eagles were better in all three areas — offense, defense and special teams. DeSean Jackson made a difference on special teams with 109 yards, including a 62-yarder that set up the go-ahead field goal.

Vikings quarterback Tavaris Jackson made the one mistake that you can't make in the playoffs. Facing a heavy rush, he tried to hit Sidney Rice on a sideline route and threw in the direction of veteran Asante Samuel. Samuel read the play and broke on the ball, racing 44 yards for a touchdown. It was a killer play, giving the Eagles their first touchdown and putting the Vikings in a deep 16-7 hole.

Samuel has done this before; his interception set an NFL record with his fourth career postseason interception return for a touchdown.

Although Jackson drove the Vikings back to close the margin to 16-14 on Peterson's second touchdown run before the half, the Eagles just refused to allow Peterson to break free, and the Vikings offense could not move the chains. The game hung in the balance in the fourth quarter until Westbrook — who had been held in check by a defense that missed All-Pro Pat Williams and Ray Edwards, two defensive starters — made one of his signature backbreaking plays.

McNabb dumped a short pass in the right flat and Westbrooke set up his blockers, broke a tackle, and raced 71 yards for the score. And that was it, folks: The Vikings could not score a single point against the Eagles' blitzing defense in the second half, which never allowed Jackson time to set his feet and throw. The Eagles added a late field goal for the 26-14 win and a home playoff loss for the Vikings.

This may have been the best chance the Vikings have had to win a championship since 1998. They had already beaten New York , Carolina and Arizona in the regular season, but once again it was the NFC East Eagles who delivered the knockout punch.

The Eagles won because they played better and their playmakers made it happen. When you look at the game honestly, they were simply better in all areas, and that's why they will get another shot at the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday & Saturday mornings at 7:50 am and Fridays at 3:50 pm ; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.