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Harsh Weather Likely Sunday

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The Associated Press

Published: January 10, 2009

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The NFC semifinal between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants on Sunday probably will be played in near-freezing temperatures with wind gusts reaching 25 mph.

The National Weather Service said Friday a storm is expected to start this afternoon and end early Sunday, leaving 6 to 8 inches of snow in the area where Giants Stadium is located.

"It looks like by game time, it should be dry, but it will be cold," meteorologist Brian Ciemnecki told The Associated Press on Friday.

Ciemnecki said temperatures for the 1 p.m. kickoff will hover around 32 degrees, with winds gusting out of the northwest from 15 to 25 mph.

"It looks like classic cold football weather," Ciemnecki said. "There could be some snow showers left over for those heading to tailgate really early. That also could be an issue for clearing the parking lots."

BIG GREEN D

Brian Dawkins has played in all kinds of defenses, seen every scheme and watched all the big stops in all the big games in 13 years with the Eagles.

What the Eagles did this season in defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's system left the Pro Bowl safety dazzled like few other times in his career. The Big Green defense just may be the best in the Andy Reid era, especially when it comes to stopping the run.

Dawkins and Asante Samuel may get the attention and accolades, but Philadelphia's run-stuffing success starts with the two men in the middle: defensive tackles Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson.

"This is the best run-stopping defense that I've played on since I've been here, by far," Dawkins said "That allows the whole other part of the defense to flow, when we stop the run."

Ask Vikings All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson what it's like to try to find a hole against the Eagles. Peterson led the NFL with 1,760 yards rushing this season, then was limited to 83 yards on 20 carries last week. His numbers look even worse if one 40-yard run was tossed out.

"I don't give enough credit to Bunk and Patterson for the job that they do inside," Reid said. "I thought they had an exceptional game, and they'll need to continue that for a couple of good runners that we are playing this week."

Tribune wires

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