Vikings, Eagles face critical task

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles don’t have Terrell Owens, haven’t played a meaningful game in four weeks and finished the regular season with consecutive losses.

The Minnesota Vikings backed into the playoffs, losing seven of their last 10 games only to upset the Green Bay Packers last weekend.

Momentum? Give it to the Vikings. Are the Eagles rusty? The answer will come today.

Philadelphia coach Andy Reid was criticized for holding running back Brian Westbrook and defensive end Jevon Kearse out of the final two games, playing quarterback Donovan McNabb just one quarter and resting most of the other starters for 1 1/2 games.

But after Owens went down with an ankle injury against Dallas on Dec. 19, Reid wasn’t taking any chances, especially since the Eagles had clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC by starting 13-1.

“When you are in this position, you’ve got to make decisions and then live with the consequence of that decision,” Reid said. “I was put in the position to make a decision and I did what I thought was best for this football team. Good or bad, I live with that consequence. I still believe in what I did and we will see how things work out (today).”

The Eagles (13-3) are hoping to reach the NFC championship game for the fourth consecutive year after falling one victory short of the Super Bowl the last three seasons. Even without Owens, the flamboyant Pro Bowl wide receiver, they’re still 8 1/2 -point favorites to beat the Vikings (9-8).

McNabb, going to the Pro Bowl for the fifth straight year after the best season of his six-year career, is determined to lead Philadelphia and its mediocre corps of receivers – Todd Pinkston, Freddie Mitchell, Greg Lewis and Billy McMullen – to its first championship since 1960.

“When you’re a kid, you’re out in the backyard throwing the football with your dad or whoever and you’re talking about being an NFL quarterback and that you’re going to win a Super Bowl,” McNabb said. “We have an opportunity right now.”

Led by Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper and mercurial star receiver Randy Moss, the Vikings surprised many with their convincing 31-17 victory over Brett Favre and the Packers at Lambeau Field.

“It’s playoff time. That’s where it came from. That’s the bottom line — it’s playoff time,” Vikings tight end Jermaine Wiggins said.