Eagles fly by Vikings

Akers: Kicked four field goals for the Eagles

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The Philadelphia Eagles ruined the Minnesota Vikings' first home play-off game for eight years with a 26-14 victory at the Metrodome.

Brian Westbrook's 71-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter clinched a wildcard win for the Eagles, who had only just squeezed into the post season.

Up until then the running back had been well shackled by a Minnesota defence that was without tackle Pat Williams due to injury.

Philadelphia now head to New York to face divisional rivals the Giants next weekend. They have already won once at The Meadowlands this season.

Jackson struggles

Adrian Peterson scored twice on the ground for the Vikings but Tarvaris Jackson, who was also playing in his first post-season game, struggled.

The quarterback committed a costly mistake in the second quarter when an off-target pass was intercepted by Asante Samuel.

The cornerback returned the pick 44 yards to the end zone for his fourth career defensive touchdown in the play-offs - the most in NFL history.

Jackson, who lost his starting job in September only to get it back when replacement Gus Frerotte picked up an injury, completed 15-of-35 passes for 164 yards.

Advantage

That defensive score in the second quarter gave the Eagles a crucial half-time advantage after they had been forced to rely on David Akers' boot for points.

His three field goals made it 16-14 in the visitors favour despite Peterson, who finished with 83 yards on 20 carries, scoring twice.

The second half saw both defences dominate until Westbrook took a short screen pass and broke free to put daylight between the two teams.

Akers' fourth field goal clinched the victory for the Eagles, giving their coach Andy Reid a victory over his former assistant Brad Childress, who will face plenty of questions after a disappointing defeat for the NFC North champions.