Wild-Card Breakdown: Eagles-Vikings

Donovan McNabb has thrown nine touchdowns against only one interception since being benched in a Week 12 loss to Baltimore. Damian Strohmeyer/SI Related Links WILD-CARD BREAKDOWN: Falcons at Cardinals WILD-CARD BREAKDOWN: Ravens at Dolphins WILD-CARD BREAKDOWN: Colts at Chargers

Breaking down Sunday's Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings wild-card matchup (4:30 p.m., Fox)...

Who Has the Edge At...

Quarterback: Eagles

Since Donovan McNabb's meltdown at Baltimore (which, in hindsight, was really forgivable given the opponent, wasn't it?), the Eagles veteran has thrown nine touchdowns and just one interception. His 81.1 passer rating and 58.8 completion percentage from Weeks 1-12 have improved to 98.7 and 64.3 in Weeks 13-17. And the guy's built a respectable playoff résumé over the years with 219 yards per game and a 7-5 record. One thing to consider: McNabb hasn't played in January or February since the Super Bowl loss almost four years ago. Then again, Minnesota's Tarvaris Jackson has never been here at all.

Running Back: Vikings

Brian Westbrook would enter the conversation if he'd finished strong, but he's been a non-factor as a rusher (49 yards per game) since he smoked the Giants for 131 and two scores in Week 14. The Vikings on the other hand have one guy, Adrian Peterson, with four 100-yard games since Thanksgiving and a backup, Chester Taylor, who brings it every time he gets a chance.

Receivers: Eagles

The Vikings' biggest threat, Bernard Berrian, had his best game with Jackson against the Giants (four catches, 81 yards and a touchdown) but his numbers alongside Jackson still pale in comparison to what he was doing with Gus Frerotte, who never returned after a back injury. Jackson and Berrian really need to click to beat the Philly secondary.

On the other side, McNabb has plenty of capable -- albeit non-dominant -- options, including two backs, Westbrook and Buckhalter, who can do serious damage with the shortest of dump passes.

Offensive Line: Eagles

If last Sunday's game against the Giants was any indication, there's reason to worry about Tarvaris Jackson's safety against the heavy-blitzing Eagles, even with left tackle Bryant McKinnie recovered from the nicks and bruises that sidelined him two weeks ago. Against New York, Jackson went down just twice but he took countless other hits and should could have been called for intentional grounding on a few occasions. On the year the Vikings have allowed 41 sacks, seventh-worst in the league, including eight in the past three weeks.

Defensive Line: Push

A lone injury dictates this tie, the expectation being that 317-pound Vikings run-stopper Pat Williams will miss another game with a right shoulder injury, which gives the Eagles a ray of hope in their run game where there was none three weeks ago. (Editor's Note: Williams has practiced on a limited basis this week.) Since Williams went down the Vikings, who allow just 73 rushing yards per game, have seen the Falcons run for 98 yards and the Giants go for 135, even without Brandon Jacobs. Part of that can be attributed to the double-teams that Minnesota's other stud defensive tackle, Kevin Williams, has since been getting.

Meanwhile, defensive end Jared Allen's production has tapered off without Williams tying up bodies. He's sackless in Williams' absence following a three-game, six-sack streak earlier in the month. And Minnesota's other end, Ray Edwards, left Sunday's game with a left knee injury that could affect the other side.

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen has 14.5 sacks this season. Icon SMI

Philadelphia, on the other, has two perfectly healthy and productive ends in Trent Cole and Darren Howard.

Linebackers: Vikings

Neither team boasts the type of linebacker corps that is going to change this game too much. However, Philly's will have a harder time containing Peterson while keeping an eye on tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who's turned into a favorite red zone target of Jackson's.

Defensive Backs: Eagles

There aren't a lot of standouts on this unit, save for Asante Samuel, who improved from a slow start to lead the league in passes defended with 23. But these guys get the job done, allowing just over 180 passing yards per games, second best in the NFL. They're jelling particularly well down the stretch. Their three best pass defense games all came in the month of December.

Special Teams: Vikings

Ever since winning became a necessity Vikings coach Brad Childress has gone to Berrian as his punt return man, a risky move that has paid dividends. Berrian's 17.3 yard average would top the league if it qualified. He even took one 82 yards for a touchdown against Arizona.

In a pinch, don't be surprised if Childress resorts to Peterson as his kick returner, too. Peterson took back 17 kicks for a solid 25.2 yard average as a rookie.

Coaching: Eagles

Bold moves like sticking with Jackson when Frerotte went down and putting Berrian on the punt unit look brilliant for Childress now, but they could blow up in his face down the road. Reid, meanwhile, is a cool cat whose benching of McNabb weeks ago is starting to look like a stroke of genius. Both coaches are working under a certain amount of do-or-die duress, but Reid's been in the playoffs before, earning him a slight edge.

Why the Vikings Will Win

Don't count on a victory coming on the arm of Jackson; the Vikings will win if they stick to a steady diet of Peterson, Peterson, Peterson, Taylor and don't deviate from the plan, no matter the circumstances.

On defense, they'll need an all-out effort from Allen, who was brought in for games just like this. A few early hits on McNabb to set the tone would be huge.

And their corners will have to be physical on the diminutive DeSean Jackson if they hope to keep him from making a difference. The Eagles rookie wide receiver has shown he can be rattled right out of a game.

Why the Eagles Will Win

See how Philly beat Dallas, with point after point off turnovers? Minnesota, with its recent rash of fumbles (Jackson and Peterson being the main culprits) could lend Philadelphia similar scoring opportunities, as they did against Atlanta a week ago. If McNabb can produce some points early and Minnesota turns to its passing game, limiting Peterson's touches, then the Eagles are in good shape.

Final Prediction

Playing at home, where they're 6-2, may be enough of an advantage for Minnesota, who'll pound the ball at Philadelphia with the overall effect of keeping its banged up defense off the field. Childress will take a less-is-more approach with Jackson, allowing him to chuck a few balls deep to Berrian, but he won't mess around with too much else. Minnesota in a squeaker, 24-23.

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