MVN: Most Valuable Network

It was a mad game of chess played in an echo chamber in a medieval courtyard filled with screaming minions.  The actual-size chess pieces were human action figures. From my seat in the gallery with the other crazy minstrels from my village, I cringed as Sir Adrian Peterson blasted his Viking path to yet another big run for a score.  The Eagles were beginning to crumble under the weight of the Vikes' pressure on the line of scrimmage. A large sign seemed to flutter down on the Eagles' bench from the bread-and-circus section above: NO RUN TODAY!  Mercifully, the first half ended: Eagles 16, Vikings 14. And I thought to myself, we're going to need some 2nd-half magic to get out of here alive.

The struggle continued. Individual playmaking kept the Eagles in the game. Even though the Vikings' DT Pat Williams and DE Ray Edwards could not play as it turned out, and even with the great Viking DB Darren Sharper down with an injury, Minnesota was dominating the line of scrimmage. On offense Vike head coach Brad Childress was stunting the Eagles' blitz and rendering it useless. The Eagles could not run the ball, ending the game with just 67 yards in 23 carries.

But oh the playmakers did come to play...

Asante Samuel with a "pick 6" in the first half kept the Eagles in the game. McNabb went to the air and finished 23-34 for 300 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (and a lost fumble to DE Jared Allen on a dubious call). DeSean Jackson proved me wrong by doing a great job on punt and kickoff returns, and providing McNabb and company with some key field positions. DJax also made a great catch of a McNabb pass for a crucial gain. David Akers and Sav Rocca had great kicking performances in the clutch.  Brent Celek and Kevin Curtis made some key receptions down the stretch to avoid potential checkmate deep in the Eagles' own territory.

On defense, LB Chris Gocong made a huge play to stop the Vikes as they were getting on a roll.

It boiled down to the chessmaster's call. Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg looked at his watch with 6:53 left in the game, and dialed up the play he'd been waiting to use at just the perfect moment. Head coach Any Reid nodded his approval.  The play was inserted at the Eagles' own 29-yard-line with the Vikings showing a blitz formation... In the words of John Madden, "Boom."

Right-side screen pass to Westbrook...offensive guards Nick Cole and Todd Herremans have to get out front fast or the screen will fail. Tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas have to hold their guys up and push them to the left.  Westbrook receives the ball but has to be patient, giving his blockers time to get upfield and read their blocks.  The play evolves like an alchemist's dream. Nick Cole throws a key block.  Jamaal Jackson and Kevin Curtis pick off two more tacklers with blocks. Correll Buckhalter throws the final block of freedom.  Westbrook is gone, a 71-yard TD turning a 2-point game into a 2-score game. 

It was the perfect call at the right time.  The mob grows silent. Check. Checkmate.

And somehow the Eagles defense managed to shut out the Vikes in the second half. No time left for Sir Adrian's heroics as he was keyed and spied on and double-teamed the rest of the way.

We rejoiced with the minstrels in the gallery.  But we also saluted the noble effort of the Minnesota Vikings.