Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2008 Week 18 Recap

Game story

In Week 18 of the 2008 NFL season on 2009-01-04, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 26–14 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Jackson (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with -5.56 total EPA, and -22.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Avant (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.50 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-25.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (6:43) (Shotgun) 7-T.Jackson pass short right intended for 18-S.Rice INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Samuel at MIN 44. 22-A.Samuel for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PHI, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enfor

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Avant · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +5.50 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Westbrook · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +5.46 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.82 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Curtis · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.70 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
4. 4 D. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +3.94 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Berrian · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.72 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.86 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Kleinsasser · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.40 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Jackson · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.30 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.30 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Rice · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.99 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson (Q2 41:14)
• Philadelphia Eagles — A. Samuel (Q2 36:43)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson (Q2 31:55)
• Philadelphia Eagles — B. Westbrook (D. McNabb pass) (Q4 6:53)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q1 51:49)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q1 45:02)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q2 37:38)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q4 2:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 6–0. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIN 26 (Q1 51:49) — (6:49) 2-D.Akers 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIN 33 (Q1 45:02) — (:02) 2-D.Akers 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–10. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PHI 40 (Q2 41:14) — (11:14) 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q2 41:05) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIN 13 (Q2 37:38) — (7:38) 2-D.Akers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the PHI 65 (Q2 36:43); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 36:34) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PHI 3 (Q2 31:55) — (1:55) 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q2 31:51) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 71 (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 36-B.Westbrook for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 6:37) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIN 27 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 2-D.Akers 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 36:43) — (6:43) (Shotgun) 7-T.Jackson pass short right intended for 18-S.Rice INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Samuel at MIN 44. 22-A.Samuel for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PHI, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enfor [WPA -25.3% · EPA -7.89]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 15:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb sacked at MIN 46 for -8 yards (69-J.Allen). FUMBLES (69-J.Allen), RECOVERED by MIN-90-F.Evans at MIN 46. 90-F.Evans to MIN 46 for no gain (67-J.Jackson). [WPA -22.7% · EPA -5.33]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 36-B.Westbrook for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +5.71]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 41:14) — (11:14) 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.7% · EPA +4.47]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 39:27) — (9:27) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass deep right to 10-D.Jackson ran ob at MIN 21 for 34 yards. [WPA +14.7% · EPA +3.30]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 36:43) — (6:43) (Shotgun) 7-T.Jackson pass short right intended for 18-S.Rice INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Samuel at MIN 44. 22-A.Samuel for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PHI, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enfor [WPA -25.3% · EPA -7.89]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 36-B.Westbrook for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +5.71]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 15:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb sacked at MIN 46 for -8 yards (69-J.Allen). FUMBLES (69-J.Allen), RECOVERED by MIN-90-F.Evans at MIN 46. 90-F.Evans to MIN 46 for no gain (67-J.Jackson). [WPA -22.7% · EPA -5.33]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 2:53) — (2:53) (Shotgun) 7-T.Jackson Aborted. 78-M.Birk FUMBLES at 50, RECOVERED by PHI-75-J.Parker at MIN 47. 75-J.Parker to MIN 47 for no gain (7-T.Jackson). [WPA -4.9% · EPA -4.81]

Quarterback report card

T.Jackson led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Jackson (Minnesota Vikings) · 40 dropbacks · 37.5% completion · -22.4% CPOE · -0.14 EPA/play · -5.56 total EPA
• D.McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) · 37 dropbacks · 62.2% completion · +4.9% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +3.94 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Philadelphia Eagles generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, -16.83 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 13 drives, +0.63 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Philadelphia Eagles leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• J. Avant (Philadelphia Eagles) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Jackson (MIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• D. McNabb (PHI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q1 51:49 · MIN 26 · Score 3-0
   (6:49) 2-D.Akers 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
2. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q1 45:02 · MIN 33 · Score 6-0
   (:02) 2-D.Akers 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 41:14 · PHI 40 · Score 6-6
   (11:14) 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 41:05 · PHI 2 · Score 6-7
   8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
5. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 37:38 · MIN 13 · Score 9-7
   (7:38) 2-D.Akers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
6. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 36:43 · PHI 65 · Score 15-7
   (6:43) (Shotgun) 7-T.Jackson pass short right intended for 18-S.Rice INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Samuel at MIN 44. 22-A.Samuel for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PHI,
7. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 36:34 · MIN 2 · Score 16-7
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
8. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 31:55 · PHI 3 · Score 16-13
   (1:55) 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 31:51 · PHI 2 · Score 16-14
   8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
10. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 6:53 · MIN 71 · Score 22-14
    (6:53) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 36-B.Westbrook for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 6:37 · MIN 2 · Score 23-14
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
12. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · MIN 27 · Score 26-14
    (2:00) 2-D.Akers 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.