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CNNSI.com's Jon A. Dolezar reviews the wild-card games.
| Wild-Card Recaps |
|---|
 |
Philadelphia 31 |
at Philadelphia |
 |
Tampa Bay 9 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
|
| Key Stat |
33 -- Consecutive games that the Eagles have allowed 24 or fewer points, the longest streak since the Vikings held their opponents under 24 points for 41 games in a row from 1968-71. |
Player of
the Game |
Damon Moore, CB, Philadelphia: Made four tackles and picked off two passes, including one he ran back 59 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. |
| Breakdown |
Tampa Bay can't use the cold weather excuse this time, as the temperature in Philadelphia was 46 degrees at kickoff. Instead of the chilly weather, it was the Eagles' run defense that did in the Bucs, holding them to 63 rushing yards on 24 carries. Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb completed 16 of 25 for 194 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, also adding four carries for 57 yards. His counterpart, Brad Johnson, passed for 202 yards but was picked off four times. |
|
 |
Oakland 38 |
at Oakland, Calif. |
 |
New York 24 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
|
| Key Stat |
22,424 -- Career receiving yards for Jerry Rice (including postseason stats) to go along with 1,497 catches and 205 touchdowns in 278 games. |
Player of
the Game |
Jerry Rice, WR, Oakland: The ageless wideout caught nine passes for 183 yards and one touchdown, his 20th postseason score, to move him one behind Thurman Thomas and Emmitt Smith for the NFL record. |
| Breakdown |
Defense was a dirty word in Oakland as the two teams combined for 46 first downs and 912 total yards. Charlie Garner carried 15 times for 158 yards highlighted by an 80-yard, game-clinching touchdown with 1:27 left. Garner's scoring scamper tied the second-longest postseason touchdown run ever and capped off a wild 36-point fourth quarter. New York's Vinny Testaverde completed 27 of 41 for 277 yards and three touchdowns, and Curtis Martin rushed 16 times for 106 yards. |
|
 |
Green Bay 25 |
at Green Bay, Wis. |
 |
San Francisco 15 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
|
| Key Stat |
6 -- Homefield postseason victories for Brett Favre, passing Bart Starr for the most in Packers history. |
Player of
the Game |
Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay: After a slow start, Favre came alive in the second half to finish 22 of 29 for 269 yards and two touchdowns. |
| Breakdown |
The Packers stayed undefeated at home in the postseason by using a vintage Favre flourish to pull away from the 49ers. Favre orchestrated the Packers' short passing game to perfection and Ahman Green pitched in with a solid effort on the ground. Green rushed 21 times for 86 yards and a touchdown, and Antonio Freeman added six catches for 84 yards and a score. Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie made only three tackles but finished with the biggest play of the game, deflecting a possible touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia intended for Terrell Owens into the arms of Tyrone Williams with 5:03 left. |
|
 |
Baltimore 20 |
at Miami |
 |
Miami 3 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
|
| Key Stat |
196 -- Yards by which the Ravens (347) outgained the Dolphins (151). |
Player of
the Game |
Terry Allen, RB, Baltimore: Rushed 25 times for 109 yards, giving him 407 yards in the past four games. |
| Breakdown |
The Dolphins' miserable offense was their ultimate undoing, while the Ravens look like the defensive-dominated team that stormed through the postseason last year. Ray Lewis led Baltimore with seven total tackles and Jamie Sharper, Peter Boulware and Anthony Mitchell added sacks of Jay Fiedler. Elvis Grbac passed for 133 yards and one touchdown but spent most of the game handing off to either Allen or Jason Brookins (10 carries for 65 yards). Zach Thomas made 22 total tackles for the Dolphins, but got little defensive support as the Ravens controlled the ball for 37:54. |
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