PHILADELPHIA — Donovan McNabb flexed his muscles, seemingly mocking Terrell Owens. The always stoic Andy Reid played cheerleader, encouraging the crowd to make noise.

Many fans may not want the quarterback or coach back for another season. But they'll be here for at least one more game — a playoff game.

The Philadelphia Eagles overcame daunting odds to capture an NFC wild-card spot with a 44-6 victory over the Cowboys yesterday. So much for all that preseason Super Bowl hype in Dallas — America's Team can start its vacation plans early.

The Eagles (9-6-1) will play at NFC North champion Minnesota (10-6) next weekend.

"A lot of people counted us out and said it was over," McNabb said. "We continued to stay focused on what the plan was."

Surely, it'll be a drama-filled offseason for the Cowboys (9-7), as owner Jerry Jones has to answer more questions about coach Wade Phillips' job and perhaps consider a major overhaul.

"There will not be a new head coach," Jones said several times in the Cowboys locker room.

McNabb threw two touchdown passes and ran for another, and Brian Dawkins forced two fumbles that were returned for scores.

Written off after a 10-3 loss at Washington last week, Philadelphia avoided elimination when Oakland upset Tampa Bay and Houston beat Chicago in the early games.

VIKINGS 20, GIANTS 19

MINNEAPOLIS — Ryan Longwell's 50-yard field goal as the game ended lifted the Vikings (10-6) to the NFC North title for their first postseason appearance in four years.

"They had to earn it, as it should be, and that makes it that much sweeter," coach Brad Childress said.

The Vikings pulled within two points on a 54-yard touchdown pass by Tarvaris Jackson to a wide-open Bernard Berrian.

The Vikings crawled through a frantic, unorganized final drive and got just close enough for Longwell to kick the winner against the Giants (12-4).

49ERS 27, REDSKINS 24

SAN FRANCISCO — Joe Nedney kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired against the Redskins (8-8), and the 49ers (7-9) dramatically finished their late-season surge under their no-longer-interim coach.

A few minutes after Nedney's kick sneaked inside the upright to cap a 60-second drive, the 49ers officially announced interim head coach Mike Singletary will keep his job.

"I find myself in the middle of something, feeling very fortunate to be surrounded by all of the good people around me," Singletary said.

San Francisco won five of its final seven games under Singletary.

PANTHERS 33, SAINTS 31

NEW ORLEANS — John Kasay's 42-yard field goal with a second left locked up the NFC South title and the second seed in the conference for the Panthers (12-4).

"By God's grace, this one went in," Kasay said.

Carolina's Jake Delhomme was an efficient 14 of 20 for 250 yards.

Drew Brees of the Saints (8-8) came up just short in his bid to eclipse Dan Marino's 1984 single-season NFL record of 5,084 yards passing. Brees needed 402 yards to set the mark. He finished with 386.

CARDINALS 34, SEAHAWKS 21

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald sent the Cardinals (9-7) into the playoffs as winners with a victory over the Seahawks (4-12).

Warner threw four touchdown passes then sat out the fourth as the Cardinals spoiled the final game of Mike Holmgren's decade as Seattle coach.

Two of Warner's TDs went to Fitzgerald, who caught five passes for 130 yards.

The Cardinals had been blown out twice since clinching the NFC West title.

"We had been dragging for a couple of weeks and I wanted to just make sure I was accountable," Fitzgerald said.

FALCONS 31, RAMS 27

ATLANTA — Capping an improbable turnaround, the Falcons (11-5) are headed to a wild-card playoff game after beating the Rams (2-14).

Jerious Norwood ran for two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 45-yard run with 3:41 left, and the Falcons, 4-12 last season, held off the Rams to clinch the No. 5 seed in the NFC.

"We came a long way," Norwood said. "Whoever would have thought we'd be in the playoffs?"