Eagles do big kick right

Some of his teammates couldn’t watch David Akers when he lined up for the winning kick, preferring to let the crowd’s reaction tell them the outcome.

Given recent events in the NFL, nobody could blame them.

The fans’ roar gave them the news -- snap, hold and kick were perfect this time.

Akers made a 38-yard field goal with no time left to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 23-20 victory over the New York Giants in a wild-card playoff game Sunday.

A day after Dallas lost to Seattle when quarterback Tony Romo fumbled the hold on what could have been a go-ahead field goal, snapper Jon Dorenbos and holder Koy Detmer executed the seemingly routine play that has cost teams important games in recent weeks.

“Koy said, ‘Those posts look big, don’t they?’ ” Akers said. “I said, ‘Don’t worry. We’re going to be celebrating in a minute.’ ”

Brian Westbrook, playing through stomach cramps that often sent him to the sidelines, had 141 yards rushing, including a spectacular, slashing 49-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. His 65-yard punt return for an apparent score in the third quarter was nullified by a penalty on rookie Torrance Daniels.

Jeff Garcia threw for 153 yards and one touchdown and played efficiently enough to win for the sixth time in seven starts since replacing an injured Donovan McNabb.

Eli Manning threw two touchdown passes to Plaxico Burress, including an 11-yard strike that tied the score, 20-20, with 5:04 left.

In his last game, Tiki Barber ran for 137 yards for the Giants. The three-time Pro Bowl running back plans to retire after 10 seasons in the NFL.

The Eagles are far from finished, though.

Counted out after a knee injury ended McNabb’s season in Week 11, the Eagles (11-6) have won six straight games. They’ll play at New Orleans (10-6) next Saturday night.

The Giants (8-9) overcame a second and 30 on their tying scoring drive as Manning completed consecutive passes of 18, 14 and 11 yards to Burress.

But the Eagles drove down the field, mixing in short passes and Westbrook runs.

That set up Akers’ winner.

Detmer, the longtime backup quarterback signed this week specifically to be the holder, had no trouble putting the snap down for Akers. Dorenbos replaced injured long-snapper Mike Bartrum last month.

“Being a holder for the amount of time I’ve been, you realize there’s nothing given,” Detmer said. “None of them are guaranteed. You have to make it happen.”

The Eagles moved to within one victory of their fifth trip to the NFC championship game in six years, and the Giants face an uncertain off-season.

Besides Barber, Coach Tom Coughlin might not be back, and the embattled Manning probably will hear more criticism after failing to win a playoff game for the second straight year. The Giants lost at home to Carolina last season.

Manning was 16 for 27 for 161 yards and one interception.

“I’m not concerned,” Coughlin said about his future.