FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFL-PW-19              1/23/02

 

EAGLES QB DONOVAN MC NABB,
RAMS CB AENEAS WILLIAMS & PATRIOTS K ADAM VINATIERI
NAMED NFL PLAYERS OF DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

 

Quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB of the Philadelphia Eagles, cornerback AENEAS WILLIAMS of the St. Louis Rams and kicker ADAM VINATIERI of the New England Patriots are the NFL Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for the Divisional Playoffs (January 19-20), the NFL announced today.

McNabb completed 26 of 40 attempts (65.0 percent) for 262 yards with two touchdowns versus one interception for an 89.8 passer rating and added 37 rushing yards and another score in the Eagles’ 33-19 victory over the Chicago Bears.  The 33 points were the most scored in 2001 against the Bears’ defense, which led the NFL during the regular season in points allowed (203).  McNabb accounted for 286 of the Eagles’ 336 total yards (85.1 percent).

McNabb’s first touchdown gave Philadelphia its first lead of the game at 13-7 when he scrambled out of pressure and found fullback CECIL MARTIN from 13 yards out with 14 seconds remaining in the half.  His second TD put the Eagles in front for good at 20-14 when he threw a six-yard scoring pass to running back DUCE STALEY with 5:55 left in the third quarter.  McNabb added a five-yard rushing touchdown with 3:21 left in the game, which put the Eagles ahead comfortably 33-17.

“We’re riding his back,” said Eagles linebacker JEREMIAH TROTTER.  “We’re going as far as he takes us.  He’s the leader of the team.”

Williams had two interceptions and returned both for touchdowns in the Rams’ 45-17 win over the Green Bay Packers.  Williams became the first player in NFL history with two interception-return touchdowns in a playoff game as the St. Louis defense forced eight turnovers, including an NFL playoff record-tying six interceptions by Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE.  Williams also forced and recovered a fumble and added seven tackles.

Williams’ first interception came with 9:11 remaining in the first quarter when he stepped in front of Green Bay wide receiver BILL SCHROEDER and returned the pickoff 29 yards to give the Rams a 7-0 lead.  His second interception, which he returned 32 yards for a score, put St. Louis ahead 45-10 with 7:50 left in the game.

“That was one for the record books,” said Rams head coach MIKE MARTZ.  “It was really remarkable, but he is a remarkable human being.” 

Vinatieri connected on three of three field-goal attempts, including the game-tying and game-winning kicks late in the fourth quarter and overtime in the Patriots’ 16-13 win over the Oakland Raiders in blizzard conditions at Foxboro Stadium.  With 1:39 remaining in the fourth quarter, Vinatieri tied the game with a 45-yard field goal.  At 8:29 of overtime, he kicked the game-winning 23-yarder.

 

2001 NFL PLAYOFFS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK