updated 2:12 a.m. ET Jan. 1, 2007

DENVER - The Philadelphia Eagles got their bye a week early.

Thanks to the Detroit Lions, Jeff Garcia and the rest of Philadelphia’s starters rested up for the playoffs while the backups finished off a remarkable late-season run with a 24-17 victory over Atlanta on Sunday.

The Eagles (10-6) clinched the NFC East title less than five minutes into the game when Dallas lost 39-31 to the lowly Lions. So, coach Andy Reid pulled his starters to keep them healthy for next Sunday’s first-round matchup against the New York Giants (8-8).

A.J. Feeley threw for a career-best 321 yards and three touchdown passes to help the Eagles win their fifth straight game without Donovan McNabb. The Falcons (7-9) played almost the entire second half without Michael Vick, who sprained his right ankle on the first play of the third quarter.

“We didn’t get the bye week we wanted, but we were able to rest some of the starters,” Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said.

One play after Matt Schaub’s 9-yard TD pass to Alge Crumpler tied it at 17 for Atlanta, Feeley connected with Hank Baskett on an 89-yard TD pass that gave the Eagles a 24-17 lead early in the fourth quarter. Feeley hit a wide-open Baskett in stride and the rookie wideout streaked untouched down the right sideline.

Baskett finished with seven catches for 177 yards.

The Falcons had a first down at the Eagles 7 with two minutes left, but couldn’t score. Schaub tripped and was sacked on third down and his next pass fell incomplete.

“We’re not done,” Reid said. “It’s a nice one to have, but there’s not a lot of time to think about it with the Giants coming in.”

When McNabb tore a knee ligament in a loss to Tennessee on Nov. 19, it seemed Philadelphia’s playoff hopes went down with him. But Garcia has been outstanding, leading the Eagles to a 5-1 record in his six starts.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection during five seasons in San Francisco, Garcia invigorated the locker room with his fiery personality. His pinpoint accuracy and quick decision-making were a perfect fit for Philly’s version of the West Coast offense.

Special feature Our top players at each position

In brief action against the Falcons, Garcia completed one pass for 29 yards to Brian Westbrook and David Akers kicked a 41-yard field goal on that drive. Garcia then watched Feeley and the second-string play a game that resembled a preseason finale.

“We expected to come out and earn the NFC East championship, but we were able to coast,” Garcia said.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Flying on the hardwood, racing on the rink, getting physical on the gridiron, and much more. more photos

Feeley’s 14-yard TD pass to Matt Schobel gave the Eagles a 10-7 lead in the first quarter. He hit rookie Jason Avant on a 5-yard scoring pass to make it 17-10 late in the second quarter.

Atlanta led 7-3 after Vick tossed a 7-yard TD pass to Warrick Dunn.

Eliminated from playoff contention a night earlier when the Giants beat Washington, the Falcons looked like a team with its bags packed and ready for vacation.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Singletary wants to beat Bears, not reminisce   PFT’s Picks: Bears will claw past 49ers Davis' comments puts 49ers on defensive PFT: Bears’ Harris won’t be suspended for punch Pats-Colts is greatest NFL rivalry of 2000s PFT: Brady recalls when he met Peyton   Slideshow: Peyton vs. Brady through the years   Video: Harrison on how Pats can beat Colts   Video: Dungy on how Colts can beat Patriots PFT: Lewis tells Ochocinco to hold the mustard NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: