FOR USE AS DESIRED
POW-19            1/14/04

EAGLES QB DONOVAN MC NABB, PANTHERS CB RICKY MANNING, JR.

& PATRIOTS DT RICHARD SEYMOUR

NAMED NFL PLAYERS OF DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB of the Philadelphia Eagles, cornerback RICKY MANNING, JR. of the Carolina Panthers and defensive end RICHARD SEYMOUR of the New England Patriots are the NFL Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for the Divisional Playoffs (January 10-11), the NFL announced today.

McNabb played an instrumental role in helping the Eagles to their third consecutive appearance in the NFC Championship Game, leading the team to a thrilling 20-17 overtime win over the Green Bay Packers.  The Eagles are the first team to appear in three consecutive championship games since the Packers did it following the 1995-97 seasons.

In one of the most memorable performances of his five-year career, McNabb completed 21 of 39 attempts for 248 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 90.5 passer rating.  His running skill was equally impressive, as McNabb carried 11 times for 107 yards, averaging 9.7 yards per carry in setting an NFL playoff record for rushing yards by a quarterback.  McNabb’s 107-yard effort was the first postseason 100-yard rushing game by a quarterback in NFL history.

McNabb helped save the Eagles’ season on their final drive of regulation, connecting with wide receiver FREDDIE MITCHELL on a 28-yard gain to the Packers’ 46, converting a fourth-and-26.  Six plays later, kicker DAVID AKERS’ 37-yard field goal tied the score at 17-17, forcing overtime.

Then, after safety BRIAN DAWKINS’ interception and 35-yard return, Philadelphia began its second overtime possession at the Green Bay 34.  McNabb drove the club to the Packers’ 13 where Akers’ 31-yard field goal put the Eagles one victory away from a Super Bowl berth.

After spotting the visitors a 14-0 lead, McNabb led the Eagles on a six-play, 77-yard drive, culminating with a seven-yard scoring strike to running back DUCE STALEY to put Philadelphia on the scoreboard.  McNabb completed five of five attempts on the drive, accounting for all 77 yards.

The Chicago native played a vital role on the game-tying touchdown drive, connecting with wide receiver TODD PINKSTON on the first play of the fourth-quarter for a 12-yard score, as his runs of 22 and 24 yards helped set up the touchdown that knotted the game at 14-14.

“Donovan did a great job,” said Eagles head coach ANDY REID.  “He kept throwing with confidence and conviction.  When you are as great a player as he is, good things will happen.”

Manning, Jr. helped the Panthers advance to their second NFC Championship Game in the team’s nine-year history, earning a double-overtime 29-23 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

The Panthers triumph ended a 14-game home winning streak for the Rams, becoming the first team to earn a win in St. Louis since the Dallas Cowboys’ 13-10 win on September 29, 2002. 

A rookie third-round draft choice from UCLA, Manning’s interception in the first overtime ended a Rams possession and set up the Panthers at the Carolina 35-yard line.  Three plays later, quarterback JAKE DELHOMME connected with wide receiver STEVE SMITH on a 69-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second overtime period, lifting Carolina to the win.

“We fought so hard,” said Manning, who finished with six tackles.  “We just had to win that game.”

Manning finished the regular season with three interceptions, tying for the team lead.  His three picks also tied for third-most among NFC rookies.

“We’ve been in so many close games and we just believe we can get it done some way,” Delhomme said.  “I think the biggest thing is that we stayed calm throughout.  Our guys don’t take a deep breath and hope.  We worked and we were able to come up with a play to help us win the game.”

New England’s Seymour broke through Tennessee’s field-goal protection late in the second quarter to block a 31-yard Titans attempt with 1:08 remaining in the half, preserving a 14-7 Patriots lead.  That proved to be the eventual margin in the Patriots’ 17-14 victory. 

New England hosts the Indianapolis Colts Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.

“Seymour is one of our best players,” says Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK.  “He is a very powerful and explosive player in spite of his height and his frame (6-6, 310).

“Richard plays with great effort in the kicking game.  He has made some big plays for us there.”

Seymour, a third-year pro, was drafted by the Patriots in the first round out of Georgia and is Pro Bowl-bound for the second-consecutive year.