Eagles 38, Vikings 7: Up-down drill, playoff edition

UP – Let's start at the top. The Eagles owner hasn't always gotten it right, but Lurie's decision to return Howie Roseman to personnel and to hire Doug Pederson were winning moves. He's back in the Super Bowl for a second time and is one step from finally bringing Philadelphia that elusive Lombardi Trophy.

UP – The roster is all Roseman. Joe Douglas has been a valuable addition to the Eagles' personnel department, but the Eagles' executive vice president of football operations essentially remade the team into a Super Bowl-bound squad in just two years.

UP – The Eagles coach has been pushing the right buttons all season, but Sunday's NFC championship victory may have been his best moment. Pederson's offense posted 38 points and 456 yards on the NFL's best defense — and with a backup quarterback. If he guides his team past the Patriots, a statue in his honor should be erected outside Lincoln Financial Field.

UP – In a performance for the ages, Foles was simply masterful. He was more efficient than in any of his games from 2013 — even his seven-touchdown outing against the Raiders from that year. In the biggest game of his career, he delivered a knockout.

UP – His defense hasn't allowed more than 10 points in each of the Eagles' last four games. The Vikings scored on their first possession and there were a few sweaty palms in the stands. But Schwartz and his players didn't panic and they shut out Minnesota for the final 55 minutes.

UP – The Eagles needed a spark. They were down, 7-0, and the offense had let a few downfield opportunities slip through their hands. Long came through. He hit Case Keenum, altered his pass, and Robinson did the rest — snagging the interception and zig-zagging 50 yards for a touchdown.

UP – Foles and Jeffery struggled to find a rhythm in the first few games after Carson Wentz's injury. But there were sparks of chemistry in the Eagles' divisional playoff win, and on Sunday they hooked up for two touchdowns — the first, a spellbinding 53-yard touchdown.

UP – OK, so all he had to do was get around a pulling tight end. But when Barnett got to Keenum in the second quarter, he karate-chopped the ball from the quarterback's hand and forced a red zone fumble when the Vikings were looking to trim the Eagles' 14-7 lead.

UP – On a night when the Eagles would convert 10 of 14 third downs, the Eagles tight end was Foles' go-to guy. Ertz caught 8 of 8 targeted passes for 93 yards and during one stretch converted three straight third downs.

UP – Ajayi had his most carries as an Eagles — 18 — and he gained 73 yards on the ground. But the Eagles running back also caught three passes for 26 yards to finish with 99 all-purpose yards.

UP – The Vikings seemingly had an advantage on the outside with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. But the Eagles cornerbacks kept the damage to a minimum and held the two receivers to a combined 11 catches for 98 yards. Not bad at all.

UP – He scored the offense's first touchdown when he rumbled 11 yards. Blount is a north-south runner, but he can be nimble, as he showed on the bolt when he gave a Vikings defender a little shake.

UP – He's not part of this ride, but Wentz's role in the Eagles' success this season will not be forgotten.