PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania - Considering everything else the Minnesota Vikings have endured this season, it was silly to think two extra days sitting around a hotel room would bring them down.

No way a determined rookie quarterback named Joe Webb was going to let that happen.

Webb threw for 195 yards and ran for a touchdown in his first career start filling in for an injured Brett Favre, and the lowly Vikings stunned Michael Vick and the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles 24-14 in the NFL's first Tuesday game since 1946.

"It was a big win, especially with what we have gone through," Webb said. "It was a long trip for us and to get a win against the Eagles, we are trying to finish the season on a high note."

Adrian Peterson ran for 118 yards and a score, helping the 14-point underdog knock Philadelphia out of contention for a first-round playoff bye.

The Eagles (10-5) could've secured a first-round bye with a victory over the Vikings (6-9) and Dallas and with a loss by either Chicago or Atlanta next week.

"We don't deserve it after that performance," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "Every phase was terrible. We didn't coach well enough. We didn't play well enough. I'm disappointed in myself. It's embarrassing."

Now the Eagles are locked into the NFC's No 3 seed and will host the No 6 seed on Jan 8 or 9. Their final game against the Cowboys is meaningless in the standings, so it's likely Vick and most of the starters will rest.

Two days after a winter storm forced a postponement, there wasn't even a snowflake visible at the Linc. The game was switched from Sunday because of a howling storm that dumped about a foot of snow in the area - perhaps a good idea considering Philadelphia's history of snowball-throwing fans.

But 42 years after fans got a bum rap for tossing snowballs at Santa - the man in the costume said it was playful pelting - the Eagles said snowballs didn't factor in the decision to move the game.

"There were a lot of issues considered, but that was absolutely not among them," said Pamela Browner White, the Eagles senior vice-president of public affairs and government relations.

Nine days after rallying from a 21-point deficit in the final 7:18 to beat the New York Giants on DeSean Jackson's 65-yard punt return on the final play, there would be no miracle at the Linc for the Eagles. Fans started leaving before the two-minute warning.

The Vikings looked more like a team with a lot at stake rather than a group that's ready to start a vacation. The win could help interim coach Leslie Frazier get the job permanently.

"It was a great effort by our players to battle the way that they had to all week and they showed perseverance that has become the hallmark of our team over the past few weeks," Frazier said. "I can't say enough about our players and the attitude they showed this week and I'm glad they were rewarded for it."

This has been a miserable season for the Vikings, who nearly reached the Super Bowl last year. They've endured numerous injuries, an ongoing Favre saga, the firing of head coach Brad Childress and the collapse of their stadium.

Favre allegedly sent inappropriate messages and lewd photos to former New York Jets game emcee Jenn Sterger two years ago when they were both with the team. The NFL is investigating the allegations.

Associated Press

(China Daily 12/30/2010 page22)