PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- For the third straight season, the Philadelphia Eagles are a win away from reaching the Super Bowl. This time, the Carolina Panthers stand in the way.
On Sunday, the Eagles look to claim their first trip to the Super Bowl since 1980 when they host the Panthers in the NFC championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.
"It's the chance of a lifetime," said Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent. "How many players here were on those NFC championship game teams? It's so special, man."
In their ninth year of existence, the Panthers are seeking their first trip to the Super Bowl. In just their second season in 1996, the Panthers lost at Green Bay in the NFC championship game.
Trying to get past the championship game is something the Eagles have been unable to do the last two seasons. They lost the last two conference title games - at home to Tampa Bay last season and at St. Louis in 2002.
"I think this is a major test for us," Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "When we were in St. Louis (2001), we had great athletes and we felt so confident that we could get there. Last year, although we didn't have everybody we had vs. St. Louis, we still had the confidence we could get there. This year, with the experience that we have and the guys who are stepping up, the young guys, the free agents, just make big plays."
"A lot of the guys have walked this road now," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "Any time you go through it once, you kind of understand the magnitude of it. I know our guys have gotten here and didn't achieve, so you even understand it a little bit more."
The Eagles are the first team to reach three straight conference championship games since Green Bay from 1995-97. They are trying to avoid the dubious feat of becoming the first team to lose three straight title games since Dallas from 1980-82.
"Now we have to get over the hurdle," Eagles running back Duce Staley said.
Philadelphia also is the first team since San Francisco in 1989 and 1990 to host back-to-back title games.
When it comes to destiny, the Eagles needed some magic to even reach this point. They have overcome an 0-2 start and numerous defensive injuries, but nothing may have been more magical than what happened in last week's divisional round win over Green Bay.
Trailing 17-14, the Eagles were faced with a 4th-and-26 with just over a minute remaining. But McNabb saved the Eagles' season by finding Freddie Mitchell over the middle for 28 yards.
McNabb eventually led the Eagles into field goal range, where David Akers converted from 37 yards. In overtime, free safety Brian Dawkins intercepted Brett Favre to set up Akers' 31-yard field goal, giving the Eagles a dramatic 20-17 victory.
After struggling in the first half, McNabb carried the Eagles after intermission against Green Bay. He passed for 248 yards and two touchdowns and set a postseason record by a quarterback with 107 yards rushing.
As has been the case for much of the season, the Eagles again failed to stop the run against the Packers as they allowed 210 yards on the ground. In their last 11 games, including playoffs, the Eagles have allowed eight 100-yard rushers.
"Regardless of how many yards the other team gets, they really don't mean much," Panthers coach John Fox said. "The game comes down to points, and that's why I'm not a real big believer in statistics. They're 11-1 in their last 12 games. That formula is working for them. So I know if it was me, I'd continue using it."
The Panthers secured their trip to the title game with a thrilling win of their own, a 29-23 double overtime victory at St. Louis in the divisional round.
Jake Delhomme provided the dramatics, finding Steve Smith with a 69-yard TD pass on the first play of the second overtime.
In his first full season as a starter, Delhomme has been outstanding in the Panthers' two playoff games, completing 34-of-55 passes for 563 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
Delhomme said the win over the Rams has given his team plenty of confidence.
"We just believe we can get it done," Delhomme said "If we're in that same type of ballgame in the NFC championship, we'll believe that in some kind of way we're going to get it done."
Delhomme may not have running back Stephen Davis available against the Eagles. Davis, who rushed for 1,327 yards, suffered a left quadriceps injury early in the second quarter against the Rams and is listed as questionable.
If Davis is unable to go, DeShaun Foster would start. Foster carried 21 times for 95 yards against the Rams, helping the Panthers rack up 216 of their 485 total yards on the ground.
This is the second meeting between the teams this season. On November 30 in Carolina, Akers kicked four field goals and the Eagles took advantage of a horrendous day by John Kasay en route to a 25-16 victory.
Kasay - one of only two remaining members from the Panthers' 1996 team - missed field goals of 32, 38 and 49 yards while also missing an extra point.
It was an afternoon of missed opportunities for the Panthers, who had the ball four times inside the Philadelphia 20 in the first half, but managed just three points.
"We had opportunities and we have to be able to take advantage of those opportunities," Fox said. "In the first ballgame, I'm not so sure that we did that in a number of different areas, without being too specific. There was a lot learned in that game by both sides. The bottom line is that whoever executes the best Sunday night is going to win."
Delhomme completed 18-of-29 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting. Davis rushed for 115 yards on 23 attempts.
McNabb was 18-of-26 for 182 yards and one TD with one interception while getting sacked three times. He also was not a factor running as he rushed for six yards on two attempts.
Protecting McNabb against one of the NFL's best defensive lines will be a key for the Eagles. He was sacked an astounding eight times against the Packers and now faces a front that is anchored by Pro Bowl tackle Kris Jenkins.
"They are known as the best front four or front seven in the NFL," McNabb said. "I'll say the same as well. Kris Jenkins, (Julius) Peppers, (Mike) Rucker, (Brentson) Buckner, they are four guys who create a lot of problems for all offenses."
The Eagles were without Vincent, a Pro Bowler, in the divisional round due to a hip injury. He has missed the last three games and is questionable.
Vincent's replacement, Sheldon Brown, was beaten for a pair of touchdowns against the Packers.
The winner faces New England or Indianapolis in Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston on February 1.
Philadelphia leads the series, 2-1.
