GAME FEATURES two class of ’99 QBs in Saints AARON BROOKS & Vikings DAUNTE CULPEPPER……PRO BOWL MATCHUP: Saints DE JOE JOHNSON vs. Vikings T KOREY STRINGER.

SAINTS: Won first playoff game in franchise history vs. Rams last week……Clinched first playoff berth since 1992 & first division title since 1991……Finished 7-1 on road in 2000……Have won 10 of past 13, including Wild Card game……Total offense (337.3) finished fourth in NFC, rush offense (129.3) ranked second……Brooks completed 16 of 29 attempts for 266 yards with 4 TDs & 1 INT for 111.5 passer rating vs. Rams in WC game. Through one game, rating ranks third-highest for a QB’s first postseason. Finished 2000 with 101.8 fourth-quarter passer rating, including 63.8 completion percentage & 9.45 yards per attempt…… WR JOE HORN, who set club record with 94 catches & 1,340 receiving yards, is doubtful (ankle) for game. WR WILLIE JACKSON had 6 catches for 142 yards & 3 TDs vs. Rams last week in place of injured Horn……Ranked third in NFC with +9 turnover ratio (35 takeaways vs. 26 giveaways). Club’s 11 fumble giveaways tied for third-fewest in NFC. Finished +4 vs. Rams in Wild Card. Had 5 takeaways (3 INTs & 2 fumbles) vs. 1 giveaway (INT)……Total defense (296.4) ranked third in NFC, rush (104.5) & pass (191.9) each finished fourth……Opponents’ 279 first downs-allowed tied for third in NFC with Detroit……Led NFL with 66 sacks, sixth-most all-time……DT LA’ROI GLOVER is only second DT to lead league in sacks with 17.0 (JOHN RANDLE, 15.5 in 1997). Most by DT since Vikings’ KEITH MILLARD’s all-time mark for DTs (18.0 in 1989). DE JOE JOHNSON was named A.P. Comeback Player of the Year and ranked second on club with 12.0 sacks. DE DARREN HOWARD third on Vikes & led all rookies with 11.0 sacks……S SAMMY KNIGHT had 2 INTs vs. Rams with 56 return yards. Had 2 INT-TD returns in 2000……Glover, Johnson, LB KEITH MITCHELL & T WILLIAM ROAF, who makes seventh consecutive appearance, are NFC All-Stars.

Game marks 134th meeting between clubs (Giants, 73-58-2), third this season (Giants, 2-0) & second posteason meeting (Giants, 1-0)……PRO BOWL MATCHUP: Eagles TE CHAD LEWIS vs. Giants LB JESSIE ARMSTEAD……

EAGLES: Won first playoff game since 12/30/95 (58-37 vs. Detroit). Look for first Divisional victory since 1/3/81 (31-16 vs. Minnesota)……Have 10-11 all-time postseason record……Have won 7 of past 8 in 2000 season, including last week……Are undefeated when (including last week): scoring 20 points or more (9-0); gaining more than 100 yards rushing (8-0); leading at end of third quarter (9-0); scoring on first drive (6-0); having 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher and/or 100-yard receiver (4-0)……QB DONOVAN MC NABB is first Eagles QB to start all 16 games since RANDALL CUNNINGHAM in 1990. Was responsible for 75.0 percent of total net offense in 2000 (3,753 of 5,006 yards). Completed 72.7 percent of passes vs. Tampa Bay in Wild Card (24 of 33). Averaged 10.9 yards per rush (8 for 87) & scored one TD in 2 games vs. Giants in 2000……RB CHRIS WARREN rushed 22 times for 85 yards vs. Bucs in WC……Chad Lewis led all NFC TEs with 69 receptions (735 yards & 3 TDs)……Starting offensive line (LT TRA THOMAS, LG JOHN WELBOURN, C BUBBA MILLER, RG JERMANE MAYBERRY & RT JON RUNYAN) has played together for all 16 reg. season games & WC. Since 1978, no Eagles team started same 5 OL players for 16 games……Allowed fewest points in NFC (245)……Club’s pass defense ranked third in NFC (186.9)……Opponents 35.0 red-zone TD pct ranked third in NFC…… DE HUGH DOUGLAS led club & ranked third in conference with 15.0 sacks, most by Eagle since ’92 when CLYDE SIMMONS had 19.0. Had 2.0 sacks vs. Bucs in WC. Had 1.0 in each game vs. Giants in 2000……Rookie DT COREY SIMON ranked second on club & among all NFL rookies with 9.5 sacks……K DAVID AKERS finished third in NFC with 29 FGs. Set club record with 121 points, passing PAUL MC FADDEN’s 116 in ’84.……Led NFC with 31.8 average drive start……Douglas, Lewis, LB JEREMIAH TROTTER & CB TROY VINCENT are NFC All-Stars.