Another #1 seed goes down this weekend: Eagles trounce Giants 23-11

Donovan McNabb carried his team to a 23-11 victory vs. Giants

This playoff season seems far more road team and lower seed-friendly than any I can remember. Last weekend two road teams won and this weekend, they are three for three.

But it's not just a home team black eye. This weekend saw the #1 teams in each each conference lose after a bye-week. If that weren't enough, the most heavily favored team, Carolina was humiliated at home by the Cardinals.

Here's the check list: road team, yup. Higher seed, yeah. Messy turnovers, you bet.

As the first of Eli Manning's two interceptions was caught by Assante Samuel I heard myself go down the checklist in my mind.

But unlike turnovers being the fatal blow as they surely were in the Titans and Carolina losses, this was about Manning's inaccurate passing and the Eagles defense keeping the Giants from scoring one measly touchdown all day. Sprinkle in two missed field goals by the uber-kicker, John Carney and you've got a bad loss, not a good one.

While it was not a blowout the Giants defense was unable to prevent two key Eagles scores. The Eagles drove 68 yards in their last possession before half time as the Giants didn't send more than three players at QB Donovan McNabb. It resulted in one of David Akers' three field goals.

The second scoring drive that seemed preventable resulted in a long pass by McNabb to rookie DeSean Jackson who took it to the one yard line. A couple of plays later, McNabb ran into the end zone for the team's second TD.  Donovan had a hell of a day. And to think that less than a couple of months ago he was benched by his head coach. Think it was a factor?

Here's what we learned.  Plaxico Burress' absence does make a difference after all.  Eli Manning isn't the same without David Tyree and his magic helmet.  And Philly can't say that McNabb doesn't win big ones. Their team was the #6 seed, went on the road to Minnesota and the Meadowlands to earn a trip to sunny Phoenix for the NFC Championship game.

Key stats:

For the Eagles: McNabb passed for 217 yards going 22-40 with one TD and 2 INT's.  Total Eagles run yardage: 56 with only 36 by Brian Westbook.  D. Jackson caught 81 yards, Avant had 43 yards receiving and the ever steady Kevin Curtis had 40 yards on the day. All three receivers caught four balls but none of them for a TD. The sole passing score was caught by back-up TE, Brian Celek.

For the Giants: Manning passed for 169 yards going 15-29 with no TD's and 2 INT's. Total Giants run yardage: 138 yards spread between Brandon Jacobs (96) and Derrick Ward (46). Total passing yards: 169 spread among TE Kevin Boss with 52, Hixon with 37 and Amani Toomer with 26. Derrik Ward added 24 receiving yards.

Get the Eagles perspective from our Eagles Examiner, Gordie Jones and from Philly Sports Examiner, Andrew Tulin