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Eagles geared up for Packers

On a day when Kevin Kolb was the starting quarterback in a meaningless regular-season finale, the Eagles found out that they will be facing the same team in the first round of the playoffs that knocked him out of the season opener.

Kevin Kolb threw three interceptions and was sacked six times by Dallas' defense. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)
Kevin Kolb threw three interceptions and was sacked six times by Dallas' defense. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)Read more

On a day when Kevin Kolb was the starting quarterback in a meaningless regular-season finale, the Eagles found out that they will be facing the same team in the first round of the playoffs that knocked him out of the season opener.

The Eagles, as the No. 3 seed, will face the sixth-seeded Packers on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field a little less than four months after Green Bay won the first meeting, 27-20.

More important than that loss, however, was what occurred during the game. When Packers linebacker Clay Matthews ran down Kolb from behind and drilled his head into the ground, the play set in motion a series of events that turned the Eagles season upside down – probably for the better.

Kolb suffered a concussion, left the game, and backup Michael Vick came in and nearly rallied the Eagles past Green Bay. A week later, Kolb was demoted to the backup, a role fulfilled Sunday as he and the Eagles second teamers lost to the off-season-bound Cowboys, 14-13.

Despite the close game, the Linc was more than half empty halfway through the fourth quarter. Presumably, fans had left the watch the final moments of the games that had some meaning for the Eagles. When the Packers beat Chicago, 10-3, they clinched a playoff spot and kept the New York Giants and Buccaneers – the Eagles' two other possible opponents – out of the playoffs.

"It is very ironic that it's the Packers due to the fact that's where it all began," said Vick, who left the Eagles locker room before reporters arrived but was caught in the parking lot by NBC10. "I know it's going to be a tough game. You've got to contain [Matthews]. You've got [cornerback] Charles Woodson. You've got [quarterback] Aaron Rodgers."

If it weren't for Matthews, Vick may have never gotten his shot at redemption, if one can call it that. He won the job from a concussed Kolb before Week 3 and was amazing in the next five games. But he's lost a little bit of his shine in the last six games, turning the ball over nine times.

The Packers game was head spinning for other reasons. Linebacker Stewart Bradley also left with a concussion, and center Jamaal Jackson and fullback Leonard Weaver suffered season-ending injuries.

But the Eagles said the second time could be a charm, especially with Vick under center for a full 60 minutes.

"We got Vick as the starting quarterback now," Eagles defensive end Juqua Parker said, "so it may be a different story."

But the Eagles are heading into the postseason for the second consecutive year limping. If it weren't for the amazing 28 points they scored in the final eight minutes of the Giants game at New Meadowlands, the Eagles could be heading into Sunday on a three-game losing streak.

While the defeat to Dallas should have no bearing on Sunday – other than it allowed coach Andy Reid the opportunity to rest most of his starters – the debacle against the Vikings last Tuesday had the young Eagles reeling. Last year, a regular-season ending loss at Dallas led to another loss in Texas in the first round of the playoffs.

The Eagles say this is a different team, and in many ways it is.

"Leaders, quarterbacks, on both sides of the ball," long-time kicker David Akers said. "There are a lot of changes out there."

For the first time since Reid took over in 1999, an Eagles playoff team will not have Donovan McNabb on the roster. The former Eagles quarterback did miss the 2006 playoffs as Jeff Garcia filled in. Vick is the new face of the team, though, and will be playing in his first playoff game since the 2004 NFC championship when he and the Falcons lost to the Eagles also at the Linc.

"I just wanted another shot to play in the playoffs," Vick said.

Vick's quadriceps bruise officially kept him out of Sunday's game, but with the Eagles slated to play three games in 13 days Reid was not risking further injury to his starting quarterback and almost all of his regulars.

"I've done this in the past," Reid said. "It gives me a chance to see some of the younger guys. It gives [the starters] a week and a half to rest, and it's not like we played last Sunday, although I probably would have done the same thing even if we had."

Aside from Vick, Reid said that dinged-up starting receiver DeSean Jackson (foot), cornerback Asante Samuel (knee) and tackle Winston Justice (knee) would be ready to go by Sunday.

Over the years, Reid has had success when he's been able to rest his starters, whether in a similar situation as this year or with a bye.

"If you look at it as an opportunity . . . to get your body back and use the extra time to really focus in on the Packers it can be very helpful," Eagles safety Quintin Mikell said. "But if guys have the mindset that it's a bye week and we're out partying and all that stuff then it can be a problem."

As for the Dallas game, the Eagles defense nearly pitched a shutout, but gave up a touchdown pass from Cowboys quarterback Stephen McGee to tight end Jason Witten with 55 seconds left. Kolb, who was obviously playing with less than a full deck, tossed his third interception to end any hope of a comeback.

"I want to be a starter, obviously," said Kolb, who completed 18 of 36 for 162 yards, tossed one touchdown but had a fumble returned for a touchdown and was sacked six times. "I feel like I can be and I feel like I've played at this level for a long time. I'm not sure what everybody else's opinions are, but I have confidence in myself and if the situation calls again in the playoffs, I'll go in and do my best."

Who knows, he may get his shot with Matthews opposite Vick.

"The season starts today," said Vick, who watched the game from inside the locker room.

"The season starts now, and I'm very excited, very enthused. I know the guys in the locker room are ready. We've got a week to prepare, and we're going to take full advantage of it."