One week after capitalizing on numerous mistakes by the Packers in a wild card weekend victory, the Vikings made many of the same errors in losing to Philadelphia, 27-14. Despite a long layoff, the Eagles first string offense was able to shake off the rust and roll up 27 points on the Vikings, with 21 coming in the first half.

Quarterback Donavan McNabb was 21-33 for 286 yards and two touchdowns in the win. McNabb's touchdown passes to Freddie Mitchell and Brian Westbrook gave the Eagles a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. Minnesota answered when Daunte Culpepper ran in from 7 yards out to cut it to 14-7. But that's as close as the Vikings would be the rest of the day. Mitchell recovered LJ Smith's fumble later in the second quarter for a touchdown and a 21-7 Eagles halftime lead. Philadelphia added two more field goals in the 4th quarter before Marcus Robinson caught a late 32 yard TD for the Vikings.

Culpepper was 24-36 for 316 yards and 2 interceptions on the day. The win puts the Eagles into the NFC Championship game for the 4th straight season. They will host Atlanta next Sunday. The Vikings, whose mistakes on the day included a botched fake field goal (receiver Randy Moss left the field not knowing he was the intended receiver), finish the season at 9-and-9. Moss accounted for just 3 catches and 51 yards on the day.

"We made some mistakes when we had a little bit of rhythm going" said Vikings coach Mike Tice. "We didn't finish anything.'' Despite their .500 season, it appears that Tice will return as head coach at least for next year.