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Football > NFL > DVD > 2002 > Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears
2002 NFC Divisional Playoff NFL Football
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears DVD

2002 NFC Divisional Playoff NFL football DVD
NFL 2002 football DVD list


CHICAGO - Donovan McNabb DVD returned to his roots to spoil a magical season for the team he grew up rooting for.

Donovan McNabb DVD passed for two touchdowns and ran for another and the Philadephia Eagles clearly won the battle of the defenses in an impressive 33-19 victory over the Chicago Bears in the NFC divisional round of the playoffs.

Donovan McNabb DVD attended Mount Carmel High School in Chicago and was an avid Bears fan growing up. He was 9 years old when Chicago won the Super Bowl in January 1986.

On Saturday, Donovan McNabb DVD was a major difference-maker against the NFL's stingiest defense. He thew a 13-yard TD pass to fullback Cecil Martin in the second quarter and a six-yard strike to running back Duce Staley late in the third, putting the Eagles ahead for good at 20-14.

Donovan McNabb DVD sealed the victory with a five-yard run with 3:21 left in the fourth quarter, extending the margin to 33-17.

He completed 26-of-40 passes for 262 yards and overcame an interception that was returned 39 yards for a touchdown by cornerback Jerry Azumah early in the third quarter. Donovan McNabb DVD also was elusive outside the pocket, rushing for 37 yards while proving to be a headache for Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher.

"I was excited to be coming back home and seeing family and friends yesterday," Donovan McNabb DVD said. "I knew I had to be focused on my job today. I enjoyed myself last nigth and my mom cooked for the entire team. The guys had a great time and today was just a good ending to the trip."

The Eagles (13-5), who surrendered five more points this season than the 203 allowed by Chicago, clearly outplayed the Bears on that side of the ball.

Chicago quarterback Jim Miller was knocked out early in the second quarter with a separated right shoulder and replaced by Shane Matthews. Both were ineffective against the NFL's second-ranked pass defense, going a combined 11-of-22 for just 89 yards and three interceptions.

"We thought this team was an outstanding team, a very talented team," Bears coach Dick Jauron said. "They were definitely a physical football team. I wouldn't say they are more physical than Tampa or Green Bay, but they are very physical."

Pro Bowler David Akers also came up big, kicking four field goals for the Eagles, who advanced to the NFC championship game for the first time since 1981. They will travel to St. Louis to face the Rams or host the Green Bay Packers.

"It's very exciting. We've taken one step further than we did last year," said Donovan McNabb DVD, whose team lost in this round last season to the New York Giants. "It's just a feeling right now that I could not explain. But believe me, we're all excited."

Wide receiver Ahmad Merritt scored on a 47-yard run in the second quarter for the Bears (13-4), who enjoyed a charmed season that saw them win the NFC Central Division for the first time since 1990 and return to the playoffs for the first time since 1994.

"This leaves a sour taste in our mouth," Chicago linebacker Rosevelt Colvin said. "In the offseason, we have to remember that we lost the last game at Soldier Field. We really got punished."

Next season, Soldier Field will be renovated and the Bears will play their home games at the University of Illinois.

Improving offensively late in the season, the Eagles moved the ball at will on their first two possession but managed only field goals of 23 and 34 yards by Akers.

"Donovan coming home, he was enjoying it," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He showed what kind of an athlete he is. He got us off on the right foot."

Meanwhile, Chicago had trouble establishing anything on offense. They were outgained 134 yards to 25 in the first quarter and managed one first down, compared to six by the Eagles.

Early in the second quarter, things got worse for the Bears after they drove inside the Philadelphia 25. On 3rd-and-4, Miller came under pressure and threw an ill-advised pass that was intercepted by safety Damon Moore inside the 5.

Moore continued to play the role of postseason hero for the Eagles. In last week's 31-9 rout of Tampa Bay in the wild card round, Moore had two interceptions, returning one 59 yards for a touchdown.

But the interception was the least of the Bears' troubles as Miller suffered a separated right shoulder on the play after being driven to the ground by defensive end Hugh Douglas, who was blocking following the pick.

"It's just disappointing to work so hard for something like that to happen," Miller said. "If I would've thrown the ball further I wouldn't have been in the situation where something like that could happen."

"He acted like he was going to make a tackle," Douglas said. "If it would've been any other quarterback, they wouldn't have moved because they don't want to get hurt. But when he moved, I put him down."

On Matthews' second possession, the Bears took the lead in the second quarter while getting a contribution from an unlikely player.

Merritt, who played just two games this season, took a handoff on an end-around, picked up a convoy down the left sideline and ran 47 yards for a touchdown to put Chicago in front, 7-6, with 5:29 left before halftime.

That was one of the few running plays that went anywhere for the Bears.

Rookie Anthony Thomas, who rushed for 1,183 yards during the regular season, was held to 36 on 15 carries Saturday. Those feeble numbers were despite running behind an offensive line that outweighed the Philadelphia defensive front by an average of 19 pounds per man.

Donovan McNabb DVD calmly drove the Eagles 69 yards in 11 plays, making plays with his arm and legs.

Donovan McNabb DVD had a 14-yard run near midfield and a nine-yard completion to backup tight end Jeff Thomason on 4th-and-1 to the Chicago 27.

Three plays later, Donovan McNabb DVD bought time in the pocket before finding Martin wide-open in the left corner of the end zone for a 13-yard TD and 13-7 lead 14 seconds before the break. Donovan McNabb DVD went 16-of-24 for 163 yards in the half.

Philadelphia clearly outplayed the Bears over the first 30 minutes, holding the ball for more than 20 minutes and amassing a 230-88 advantage in total yards.

Chicago has excelled at making big plays on defense this season, scoring five touchdowns on that side of the ball. It got another from that unit on the Eagles' first possession of the second half.

On 3rd-and-2 from his own 36, Donovan McNabb DVD had his pass for James Thrash tipped by cornerback R.W. McQuarters. The ball bounced into the waiting arms of Azumah, who ran 39 yards untouched down the left sideline to give Chicago a 14-13 lead.

A special teams blunder later in the quarter proved costly for the Bears after Brad Maynard got off just a 15-yard punt that put the Eagles at the Chicago 36.

Donovan McNabb DVD again made a big play, finding Thomason for 30 yards on 3rd-and-14 to the 10. Two plays later, another gaffe proved costly for the Bears.

Staley was left uncovered on the right side and Donovan McNabb DVD found the running back, who made a diving catch for a six-yard touchdown that gave the Eagles a 20-14 lead with 5:55 left in the third quarter.

"Donovan threw a bullet, but I made the play," Staley said. "We just made eye contact. Donovan just comes up to the line and was able to look over the defense. It's an empty backfield and they left me open. They were kind of confused all day on that, and that time we were able to capitalize."

Sidelined most of last season with a foot injury and sorely missed in the Eagles' run to the divisional round, Staley was a key factor Saturday. He carried 18 times for 66 yards and had seven catches for 54 yards.

The Bears embarked on an 11-play, 44-yard drive late in the third quarter, but it stalled inside the 20 and Paul Edinger kicked a 38-yard field goal 44 seconds into the fourth period, pulling Chicago within 20-17.

Donovan McNabb DVD and the Eagles regained the momentum, going 45 yards in 11 plays. He kept alive that march with an eight-yard run on 3rd-and-2 to his own 49. Todd Pinkston, who had a pair of early drops, came through with a 13-yard catch later on the drive that moved the ball to the Chicago 28.

Unable to get another first down, the Eagles called on Akers, who connected on a 40-yard field goal that stretched the margin to 23-17 with 8:48 remaining.

Autry Denson took the ensuing kickoff and busted up the middle before being drilled by Tim Hauck, who jarred the ball loose. Rookie Quinton Caver pounced on it for Philadelphia at the Bears' 35.

The Eagles went three-and-out, but Akers provided a 26-17 lead with 6:28 to play with a 46-yard field goal.

That lead proved more than enough for Philadelphia, which limited Chicago to 184 total yards and 10 first downs. It was able to post those impressive numbers despite the loss of Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent, who suffered a pulled groin in the second quarter.

Matthews went 8-of-17 for 66 yards and two interceptions. Miller was 3-of-5 for 23 yards and a pick.

"It was tough when Jim went down," Bears offensive coordinator Jim Schoop said. "He's our leader out there and the guys love him, but we played just as hard with Shane in."

"It's hard to win a game without your starting quarterback," Miller added. "Philadelphia would be in the same boat if Donovan Donovan McNabb DVD wasn't there."

Matthews, the Bears' starter at the beginning of the season, took his share of blame for the offensive struggles.

"It is difficult. I have not played in 10, 11 or 12 weeks," he said. "I did not play real well. I take a lot of the responsibility."

Donovan McNabb DVD put the finishing touches on the impressive performance, scoring on a five-yard run up the middle with 3:21 left that made it 33-17.

Eagles punter Sean Landeta took an intentional safety on the game's final play.


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