NFC Championship 2018: Score, Stats & Live Updates

Nick Foles and Case Keenum. Two quarterbacks no one expected to be playing this late in January in a matchup that was just as improbable. It’s the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Minnesota Vikings and it’s the NFC Championship. Sure, these circumstances were unlikely, but time and time again both teams have proved they deserve a shot at the Lombardi Trophy. They each have top-ranked defenses and scrappy offenses that always seem to find a way to get the win. Tonight, they’ll duke it out to decide who takes on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Kickoff in South Philly is at 6:40 PM ET, airing on FOX. Follow us below for all the scores, stats, and highlights of this NFC Championship showdown.

Pregame

Standing room tickets are going for as high as $800 at Lincoln Financial Field. Apparently price is hardly an object for loyal Birds fans and the brave Vikings fans who journeyed halfway across the country into enemy territory. Both Minnesota and Philadelphia have been prepping for the mayhem all week. The Minnesota media started by issuing a How To Survive Philly Guide for their traveling fans. Philadelphia’s Finest responded with a warning to business owners about potential riots, and also went the extra mile by greasing poles to deter any fanatic acrobats.
It’s game day, folks, and it’s gonna be a good one.

First Quarter

-10:14. Score Alert. Vikings start with the ball and put together an impressive drive from the get-go. It ended with a 25 yard TD pass from QB Case Keenum to TE Kyle Rudolph.
Score: Vikings 7  Eagles 0
-8:40. Eagles fail to respond to Vikings fast start. They’re forced to punt and after a penalty on Eagles Shelton Gibson, Vikings will start with the ball on MIN 29.
-7:26. QB Case Keenum completes a 12 yard pass to WR Stefon Diggs to convert a 3rd and long. Ball on MIN 41.
-6:26. Turnover and Score Alert. On 3rd down, pressure from Eagles DE Chris Long forces a Case Keenum interception. The first turnover of the game goes to CB Patrick Robinson, who ran it back 41 yards for an Eagles TD.
Score: Vikings 7  Eagles 7
-5:34. Eagles force a three and out, and will start with the ball on PHI 26. The 70,000 strong at Lincoln Financial Field is rocking.
-1:47. Eagles offense starting to find some rhythm. Eagles convert on 3rd and 10 with a nice throw from QB Nick Foles to TE Zach Ertz. Ball on MIN 36.
End of First Quarter

Score: Vikings 7  Eagles 7

Second Quarter

-14:11. Eagles convert again on 3rd down with a nice out route completion from QB Nick Foles to TE Zach Ertz. Ball on PHI 11.
-13:37. Score Alert. RB LeGarrette Blount barrels through the Minnesota defense for 11 yards and another Eagles TD.
Score: Eagles 14  Vikings 7
-9:27. MIN DE Danielle Hunter comes up with a huge sack on 3rd and 7 and forces an Eagles Punt. Vikings have the ball on MIN 15.
-8:05. QB Case Keenum hits a wide open WR Stefon Diggs for a substantial 22 yard gain. Ball on MIN 39.
-6:20. Vikings starting to move the ball with a slew of quality throws from QB Case Keenum. Ball on PHI 22.
-3:16. Turnover Alert. DE Derek Barnett halts the Vikings momentum with an athletic strip of QB Case Keenum. The fumble was eventually picked up by DE Chris Long. Eagles have the ball on PHI 24.
-1:09. Score Alert. Foles is looking like anything but a backup. He escapes pressure, stands his ground in the pocket, and completes a 53 yard bomb to WR Alshon Jeffery for a TD.
Score: Eagles 21  Vikings 7
-:38. Vikings unable to answer back with a score. Eagles force a punt and with three timeouts, they’ll try to finish the half with another score. Ball on PHI 20.
-:15. QB Nick Foles completes a 36 yard pass to Zach Ertz. Ball on MIN 33.
-:00. Score Alert. Eagles finish the half with a quick and effective drive. Jake Elliot 38 yard field goal attempt is good.
End of First Half.

Score: Eagles 24  Vikings 7

First Half Stats:
Eagles – 242 Total YDS, Passing 202 YDS, Rushing 40 YDS, 0 TO, 13:16 TOP
Vikings – 185 Total YDS, Passing 141 YDS, Rushing 44 YDS, 2 TO, 16:44 TOP

Third Quarter

-10:05. Score Alert. Eagles start the half with another impressive and profitable drive. QB Nick Foles completes a deep 41 yard pass to WR Torrey Smith for a TD. Smith redeems himself after dropping a similar catch on the Eagles first drive. Eagles are rolling and have scored on each of their last three drives.
Score: Eagles 31  Vikings 7
-7:53. Vikings try to get something going with a deep 33 yard pass from QB Case Keenum to WR Jarius Wright. Ball on PHI 18.
-6:21. Vikings go for it on 4th and goal from the 8 yard line, and after a scoring review, the pass to WR Adam Thielen is ruled as incomplete. Turnover on downs. Eagles will start with the ball on PHI 8.
-2:41. QB Nick Foles is on fire. He completes a beautiful 42 yard pass down the sideline to WR Nelson Algholor. Eagles are 8/10 on third down. Ball on MIN 33.
End of Third Quarter

Score: Eagles 31  Vikings 7

Fourth Quarter

-14:10. Score Alert. WR Alshon Jeffery shows his hand skills with a nifty 5 yard TD catch from QB Nick Foles. Eagles fans are doing their best Skol Clap impression – They’re calling it the “Foles Clap”.
Score: Eagles 38  Vikings 7
-14:10. Vikings will start with the ball on MIN 40 after a 15 yard personal foul on the Eagles. This is just the third penalty of the game.
-12:29. Heavy pressure by DT Fletcher Cox helps the Eagles stop the Vikings on their second fourth down attempt. Turnover on downs. Eagles will start their drive on PHI 40.
-9:40. Apparently Vegas doesn’t have faith in a Vikings comeback… They’ve already released the line for an Eagles vs. Patriots Super Bowl. Eagles are underdogs again, opening at +5.5.
-5:52. The hits keep coming for the Purple People Eaters. What looked like a promising drive just ended with an interception by S Corey Graham. It’s the Vikings third turnover of the game. Eagles have the ball on PHI 7.
-2:00. Eagles expertly draining the clock. RB Corey Clement runs for 6 yards and another Eagle first down. Doug Pederson gets the Gatorade bath treatment as chants of “Foles” ring through the Linc. Ball on PHI 47.
End Of Game

Final

Score: Eagles 38  Vikings 7

Final Stats:
Eagles – 456 Total YDS, Passing 346 YDS, Rushing 110 YDS, 0 TO, 34:04 TOP
Nick Foles – 26/33, 352 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 141.4 RTG
Jay Ajayi – 18 CAR, 73 YDS
Alshon Jeffery – 5 REC, 85 YDS, 2 TD
Torrey Smith – 5 REC, 69 YDS, 1 TD
Vikings – 333 Total YDS, Passing 263 YDS, Rushing 70 YDS, 3 TO, 25:56 TOP
Case Keenum – 28/48, 271 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT, 63.8 RTG
Jerick McKinnon – 10 CAR, 40 Rushing YDS, 11 REC, 86 Receiving YDS
The No. 2 Minnesota Vikings were favored over the No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles as they traveled to Philadelphia to meet in the NFC championship, but the home Eagles upset the Vikings in convincing fashion 38-7 to advance to the Super Bowl. Besides the opening Vikings drive, the Eagles absolutely dominated on both sides of the ball. The Birds were led by the strength of their defense and an incredible performance from backup quarterback Nick Foles, who finished with a near perfect 141.4 RTG. Philadelphia will travel to Minnesota where they will take on the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 4th at 6:30 PM ET in Super Bowl LII. The Eagles and city of Philadelphia are one step closer to winning their first-ever Lombardi Trophy.

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