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Philadelphia 17, Tampa Bay 13

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Published: Jan. 6, 2002 at 11:58 PM

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- In a playoff preview that had a preseason feel, rookie A.J. Feeley threw two touchdown passes 26 seconds apart in the fourth quarter Sunday night as the Philadelphia Eagles posted a 17-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It was the first of consecutive meetings between the teams, who will play in the wild card round of the playoffs for the second straight season next Saturday at Philadelphia.

The consensus heading into the playoff meeting is that Tampa Bay Coach Tony Dungy needs at least one win in the postseason to save his job.

Philadelphia (11-5) eliminated the Bucs (9-7) from the Super Bowl chase last season with an impressive 21-3 victory.

On Sunday, both teams rested many of their key players. Pro Bowl wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson and running back Warrick Dunn did not play for Tampa Bay while defensive end Hugh Douglas and fellow Pro Bowler, cornerback Troy Vincent were among the players that sat out for the Eagles.

Tampa Bay quarterback Brad Johnson also played just one series as did the Eagles' Donovan McNabb.

A fifth-round pick out of Oregon who had not played this season, Feeley started the fourth quarter and helped the Eagles overcome a 13-3 deficit.

Feeley found Dameane Douglas with a two-yard touchdown pass with 2:12 remaining, pulling the Eagles within 13-10.

Karl Williams was stripped on the ensuing kickoff by Rashard Cook and Tim Hauck recovered for the Eagles at the Tampa Bay 24, setting the stage again for Feeley.

After an incompletion on first down, Feeley drilled a pass to Douglas, who beat cornerback Donnie Abraham on a quick slant for a 24-yard touchdown that gave Philadelphia a 17-13 lead with 1:46 remaining.

Feeley finished 10 of 14 for 143 yards with the two touchdowns and an interception. Koy Detmer went five of 14 for 51 yards and an interception while McNabb did not attempt a pass.

Rookie Correll Buckhalter rushed for 89 yards for the Eagles, who won the NFC East title last week and matched their win total from last season with Sunday's victory.

Aaron Stecker scored on a four-yard run in the second quarter for Tampa Bay, which won five of its last seven games.

Topics: A.J. Feeley, Aaron Stecker, Brad Johnson, Correll Buckhalter, Donovan McNabb, Karl Williams, Tony Dungy, Warrick Dunn
© 2002 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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