David Akers hit a 38-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 23-20 victory over the New York Giants in an NFC wild-card playoff game on Sunday.

Though the kick was fairly routine, the Eagles and their fans could be excused for holding their collective breath after Saturday's playoff game between Dallas and Seattle, in which the Cowboys' Tony Romo fumbled the hold on a potential game-winning field goal.

Eagles kicker David Akers celebrates his game-winning field goal with no time left in the fourth quarter to defeat the New York Giants 23-20 in Sunday's NFC wild-card playoff game in Philadelphia.
(Doug Benc/Getty Images)

"It did cross my mind," linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said of Romo's misplay in the Cowboys' loss. "But I was confident in our special teams. We were ready to party."

Brian Westbrook had 141 yards rushing, including a slashing 49-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, to lead the Eagles.

Former CFL star Jeff Garcia threw for 153 yards and a touchdown to win for the sixth time in seven starts since replacing the injured Donovan McNabb.

"He did a nice job," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He was off by a hair on a couple throws. He battled."

Barber walks away

The Giants' Eli Manning threw two touchdown passes to Plaxico Burress, including an 11-yard strike that tied the game 20-20 with 5:03 remaining in the fourth quarter.

In what he maintained was his last game, Tiki Barber ran for 137 yards for the Giants. A three-time Pro Bowl running back, the 31-year-old said earlier in the season that he would retire after 10 years in the NFL.

Barber, who plans to embark on a career in television, said he has no regrets about walking away without having won a Super Bowl.

"I have come to the conclusion that is not going to define me," said Barber, whose Giants lost the 2001 NFL title game to Baltimore.

"My legacy will be of someone who has played through the ups and downs and good times and bad, and you always knew what you were getting out of me on Sunday. I have never given up. I have never walked off that field without leaving it all on the field.

"That's what all the competitors who played against me and the fans who watched me, that's what they all see."

Sheppard hurt

The Eagles (11-6) will take their six-game winning streak into New Orleans next Saturday night (8 p.m. ET), when they'll face the NFC South champion Saints (10-6).

A victory would give Philadelphia its fifth trip to the conference title game in the past six years.

The Eagles, though, may be without star cornerback Lito Sheppard, who left in the fourth quarter Sunday because of a dislocated right elbow.

Reid said Sheppard — who would be instrumental in Philadelphia's efforts to shut down Saints quarterback Drew Brees — may not be able to play next week.

The Giants (8-9) face an uncertain off-season. After a strong start, they faded down the stretch, losing four in a row and six of seven before last week's win over lowly Washington put them in the playoffs.

Besides the retirement of Barber, embattled head coach Tom Coughlin might not be back for a fourth season.

"I'm not concerned," a defiant Coughlin said of his future.

With files from the Associated Press