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What they're saying: Eagles have a shot

After finally catching his breath from celebrating a 71-yard screen pass, philly.com intern Andrew Holland is back to deliver this week's Eagles links.

SI.com's Adam Duerson gives Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb an A- for his play against the Vikings:

Philadelphia's first drive, when McNabb thrice avoided sacks at the last second, told the story of the day. The Vikings got to McNabb a few times, but not nearly enough. He stayed upright with some nifty footwork and played a near-perfect game -- lots of precise passes -- considering the space he had. His over-the-shoulder pass to Jackson along the right sideline for 34 yards (which set up field goal number three) was a thing of beauty, both for the throw and for his taking advantage of an out-of-place defender.

SI.com's Peter King gives the Eagles much praise for their play down the stretch run:

How about the Eagles? Eight days ago, they need Oakland to beat Tampa Bay, in Tampa, and they needed either Chicago or Minnesota to lose, and they needed to beat Dallas, at home. Everything happened right. Then they needed to go to Minnesota and win against a team that was 5-1 down the stretch. Everything happened right. And now they go to play the Giants at the Meadowlands. Against the same team in the same place 29 days ago, Philly won by six.

ESPN.com's Gregg Easterbrook says Andy Reid deserves credit for his decision-making at the end of the regular season:

Since Andy Reid benched Donovan McNabb, a move roundly denounced by football pundits, the Eagles are 5-1 and have advanced to the divisional round. Not only did the temporary demotion shake McNabb out of his lethargy, it communicated to other Philadelphia players this message: "Your jobs aren't safe, either." When will Reid get some praise for a decision the experts mocked?

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley says the Eagles have as good of a shot as anybody to make it to the Super Bowl:

The Philadelphia Eagles weren't supposed to be here, and that may be part of the reason they have just as good a shot as anyone to reach the Super Bowl. It seems so long ago that we buried this team following its December loss to the Washington Redskins.

ESPN.com's Jeffri Chadiha says the Eagles may be this year's version of the New York Giants.

This team is as loose as it's been all season, which is exactly the quality that New York had going for it when it went from a wild-card entry in last year's playoffs to Super Bowl champs. "What you're seeing," said Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, "is a team playing with a lot of energy and emotion and basically just having fun out there."

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco gives the Eagles a B+ for their play against the Vikings:

This one goes to the defense. Aside from one run by Adrian Peterson, they kept him bottled up and Asante Samuel had a pick for a touchdown. Donovan McNabb made some timely throws and the 71-yard screen pass for a touchdown by Brian Westbrook was the clincher.

CBSSports.com's Clark Judge says the Giants should be very concerned with their matchup against the Eagles:

The New York Giants just drew the short straw. Had Minnesota won, Big Blue would've drawn the Arizona Cardinals ... and pulverized them. But Philadelphia? The Eagles are a problem. Not only did they play the Giants tough twice this season, they beat them once ... and it was at Giants Stadium. What's more, they won two of their last three there.

FoxSports.com's Jimmy Johnson says the Eagles are capable are winning the rematch with the Giants:

Well, the Giants ought to be concerned about this Philadelphia team. They've shown that they can win on the road. They are playing great on defense right now. And Donovan McNabb seems to back in rhythm with Brian Westbrook and the rest of his offense. And it wasn't that too long ago that they beat the Giants in New York and I think they can do it again.

FoxSports.com's Judd Zulgad says the Eagles are peaking at the right time:

The Eagles have the one thing any team that is going to make a run in the postseason needs: a hot quarterback. McNabb completed 23 of 34 passes for 300 yards with one touchdown, one interception and a solid 92.8 passer rating against the Vikings.

USAToday.com's Tom Pedulla says the Giants are wary of their matchup this Sunday:

The New York Giants do not appear to have the swagger that might be expected of defending Super Bowl champions as they prepare for Sunday's divisional playoff game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.
If anything, the Giants have grown wary of the added challenges that come with their standing.