Akers Kick Lifts Eagles; Patriots Down Jets

Philadelphia 23, NY Giants 20
David Akers made a 38-yard field goal with no time left to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 23-20 victory over the New York Giants in a wild-card playoff game Sunday. A day after Dallas lost to Seattle when quarterback Tony Romo fumbled the hold on what could have been a go-ahead field goal, snapper Jon Dorenbos and holder Koy Detmer executed the seemingly routine play that has cost teams important games in recent weeks. Brian Westbrook, playing through stomach cramps that often sent him to the sidelines, had 141 yards rushing, including a spectacular, slashing 49-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. His 65-yard punt return for an apparent score in the third quarter was nullified by a penalty on rookie Torrance Daniels. Jeff Garcia threw for 153 yards and one touchdown and played efficiently enough to win for the sixth time in seven starts since replacing an injured Donovan McNabb. Eli Manning threw two touchdown passes to Plaxico Burress, including an 11-yard strike that tied the score, 20-20, with 5:04 left. In his last game, Tiki Barber ran for 137 yards for the Giants. The three-time Pro Bowl running back plans to retire after 10 seasons in the NFL. Counted out after a knee injury ended McNabb's season in Week 11, the Eagles (11-6) have won six straight games. They'll play at New Orleans (10-6) next Saturday night.

New England 37, NY Jets 16
Tom Brady capped long scoring drives with short touchdown passes to Daniel Graham and Kevin Faulk, and Asante Samuel sealed it with a 36-yard interception return for a score with 4:54 left as New England beat Mangini's New York Jets, 37-16, on Sunday. New England (13-4), the only team to win a playoff game in each of the last four seasons, will play at San Diego (14-2), the AFC's top-seeded team, next Sunday. The Patriots are going for their fourth Super Bowl title in six seasons. The loss ended a surprising run by the Jets, who won their last three regular-season games to get into the playoffs. This was supposed to be a rebuilding season under Eric Mangini, their rookie coach. New England, which has won seven of eight since that loss to New York, improved to 9-1 at home in the playoffs.


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