Less than twenty-four hours after Tony Romo committed one of the most embarrassing, costly blunders in football history, not much else will be talked about after the Eagles defended Lincoln Financial Field in a 23-20 Wild Card Weekend triumph. The final 137 yards of Tiki Barber’s career—now overshadowed. Brian Westbrook’s leadership, not to mention his forty-nine-yard touchdown dash despite stomach cramps—no longer headline making. Jeff Garcia continuing to lead the Eagles to an improbable six-game winning streak—already an old story.

The snap. The hold. The kick. Flawless.

Dorenbos to Detmer to Akers to the back of the netting.

The pigskin spun end-over-end, cutting through the light drizzle covering Philadelphia, thirty-eight yards straight through the uprights. Routine and expected—just like it’s supposed to be.

But after watching Dallas’ Pro Bowl quarterback botch a potentially game-winning snap replayed repeatedly on every news and sports network, Eagles fans could not help but be a little more anxious than normal.

While both teams hail from the NFC East, the division rivals could not have had two more opposite resumes entering Sunday’s game. After opening their season 6-0, Eli Manning and the injury riddled Giants floundered their way into the postseason, salvaging a .500 record with an ugly win at Washington last weekend. The Eagles, meanwhile, looked no better than average under All Pro quarterback Donovan McNabb. Then, in a completely counterintuitive twist, McNabb suffered a season-ending ACL injury, and the Eagles surged to a division title.

Those that orchestrated the Eagles resurgence were the usual suspects all over again on Sunday. Garcia managed the game beautifully, throwing for 153 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions. Westbrook complemented the even balanced offensive attack with 141 yards on the ground and one explosive touchdown run. And Akers was as reliable as ever, booting three field goals from 18, 48 (a team record in the postseason), and the eventual 38-yard game-winner.

Eli Manning-to-Plaxico Burress seemed to be the only thing offensively working for the Giants, as the tandem posted two touchdowns on the afternoon. But the Eagles lowly 26th-ranked rush defense came up strong, spoiling Barber’s bid to extend his career one more game.

The Eagles will next travel to the Bayou to bout with the unlikely NFC South champion New Orleans Saints.