After defeating the St. Louis Rams on some good playing courtesy of quarterback Micheal Vick, the Atlanta Falcons ran headlong into the Philadelphia Eagles led by Donovan McNabb.

The Rams did not look good during the first half of the division playoff when Atlanta ran up a 28-14 lead, in parts thanks to a 59-yard run by Allen Rossum from mid-field on a punt return. A last second field goal brought the Rams within 11 point, still (at least theoretically) in the game. The second half started badly for the Rams with two dropped balls and a sack of quarterback Marc Bulger. They never really improved, allowing an Atlanta touchdown after losing the ball 3 plays after the dropped punt, and another field goal.

After losing in postseason each of the last three years, McNabb kept focused on the goal, defeat the Atlanta Falcons to get to the Super Bowl. With the Eagle defense limiting Atlanta to just 10 points, the win was almost assured as McNabb turned on his "point machine."

At the end of the first half Atlanta remained close, 14-10, but McNabb completed a second pass for a touchdown and Eagles placekicker David Akers scored two field goals in the second half. The Eagles, however, lost to the Patriots at the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, 24-21.