ST. LOUIS, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles staged a classic NFL game in the season opener at Veterans Stadium and more than four months later, a trip to Super Bowl XXXVI is on the line when the teams meet Sunday in the NFC championship game at the Dome at America's Center.
St. Louis is in the NFC championship game for the second time in three seasons, having won the Super Bowl in Jaunary 2000 while the Eagles are back in this round for the first time since the 1980 season.
Already possessing the NFL's most explosive offense, the Rams entered the season with an overhauled defense that featured eight new starters after the club allowed an astounding 471 points last season.
The Rams made an early statement that this season would be different when they controlled Eagles electrifying quarterback Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia offense for the first three quarters in the opener.
But McNabb was able to rally the Eagles in the fourth quarter, engineering scoring drives of 98 and 68 yards that he capped each time with short touchdown passes to fullback Cecil Martin that sent the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Rams lost the toss but their defense stopped Philadelphia on its first possession, getting the ball back for star quarterback Kurt Warner, who quickly worked St. Louis in position for the win.
Warner orchestrated a seven-play, 56-yard drive. The march was higlighted by 20 and 27-yard completions to Isaac Bruce, setting up Jeff Wilkins' 26-yard field goal 7:56 into the extra session that gave St. Louis a 20-17 victory.
"I think the Rams and ourselves are very familiar with one another from that first (regular season) game and that was a tremendous football game," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "And now here comes another one this week."
The Eagles remember the first meeting for the turnover that wasn't.
After McNabb threw a nine-yard touchdown to Martin to tie the game with 3:59 remaining, the Eagles squandered a major chance to be in position to take the lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Aveion Cason had the ball jarred loose by Ike Reese and it rolled inside the 10. The Eagles had a clear shot at recovering with at least three players around the ball but Don Davis somehow fell on it at the 5 for St. Louis.
St. Louis built on its early defensive performance and finished first in the NFC in total defense and third in the NFL overall.
"The offense gets most of the headlines, and deservedly so," St. Louis defensive coordinator Lovie Smith said. "But we'd like to be compared with the better defenses. We've had a good season. We went through 16 games and were third in the league. We deserve some respect."
"I think we're a better team than we were in 1999," said Warner, who is nursing bruised ribs and missed one practice during the week leading up to Sunday's game. "I think we're more solid in every phase. The offense is basically the same players, but we've matured and gotten better at what we do. The defense is playing better than at any time that I've been here."
In the divisional round, the Rams' defense was at their best as they returned three of Brett Favre's six interceptions for touchdowns in a 45-17 rout of the Green Bay Packers.
Pro Bowl cornerback Aeneas Williams, one of the key new ingredients on the defense, returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns. Rookie linebacker Tommy Polley had the other score and two interceptions as well.
Williams played just two playoff games in 10 years with the Arizona Cardinals before he was acquired by the Rams last April as perhaps the most important move in their defensive transformation under Smith.
The Eagles also know a little something about defense, allowing the second-fewest points (208) in the NFL this season while ranking seventh overall. Philadelphia was especially stout against the pass, ranking second in the league.
In their first two playoff games, the Eagles have lived up to that billing by surrendering just one touchdown. They have allowed just one touchdown in their last four playoff games, but certainly will be tested by the "Greatest Show on Turf."
Last Saturday, the Eagles limited the Chicago Bears to 184 total yards in a dominating 33-19 victory in the divisional round. Bears quarterback Jim Miller was knocked out of that contest early in the second with a separated right shoulder after getting hit by defensive end Hugh Douglas.
Shutting down the Bears is one thing, but just trying to control the explosive Rams, who have scored at least 30 points 12 times this season, is an entirely different story. Philadelphia did manage do that in the first encounter.
Using an array of blitzes to continually pressure Warner, the Eagles slowed down St. Louis. Both of the Rams' touchdowns in that game came after Philadelphia turned the ball over inside its own 30.
Warner, the NFL MVP this season, completed 28-of-42 passes for 308 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
"They live and die with the blitz," Warner said. "They've got good corners and safeties that allow them to take chances and come after the quarterback. They gave us some problems in the first game. I expect the same thing this time."
Warner and the Rams offense could have an easier time Sunday if Philadelphia Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent is unable to play due to a groin injury. Vincent, who suffered the injury in last week's game, is day-to-day.
If Vincent is unable to play, the Eagles would lose their best cover corner and be forced to use nickel back Al Harris in his place.
The blitz is the best option to pressure Warner since Douglas -- the Eagles' best pass rusher -- will be matched against 6-7, 320-pound left tackle Orlando Pace. Douglas had five tackles and a sack in the first matchup this season.
Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, credited with the Eagles' aggressive scheme, wanted another crack at the Rams this season.
"I figured we might we play the Rams again," he said. "After we played them the first game of the year, I said `I hope we're going to get a chance to play them in the playoffs.' My wish came true and now I've got to do something about. I felt we had a chance to win that game and lost it towards the end. It's like saying, `Hey, I wish we could have a chance to win the game, and we didn't."
The Eagles also did a respecatable job containing St. Louis star running back Marshall Faulk, who accounted for 120 total yards and a touchdown in the first meeting.
Philadelphia will not be intimidated by the surroundings Sunday. In nine road games this season, the Eagles have surrendered just five touchdowns while posting an impressive 8-1 record. The Eagles can take a little solace in that both of St. Louis' losses this season have come at home.
Containing McNabb, who seems to be improving on a weekly basis, is something the Rams will key on in this contest as they look to play for the Lombardi Trophy again. McNabb completed 32-of-48 passes for 312 yards with a two touchdowns and aninterception while carrying nine times for 48 yards against St. Louis earlier this season.
Using his elusiveness to buy time in the pocket, McNabb has been brilliant in both playoff games this season, having passed for 456 yards and four touchdowns while adding 94 yards and a TD on the ground.
Running back Duce Staley was McNabb's favorite target in the first meeting, catching 11 passes for 81 yards. But he was a non-factor in the running game, gaining just nine yards on nine carries.
