Eagles’ Explosive Endeavor

The New York Giants endured an incredulous debacle of a loss Sunday at the new Meadowlands Stadium. Big Blue lost a 38-31 decision to the NFC East rival Eagles on the final play of the game. DeSean Jackson, the speedster in green and white, raced a punt return back 65 yards for the winning touchdown with 13 seconds left in regulation. Jackson has burned teams with his speed all season, but none as electrifying and dramatic as the winning runback of yesterday’s 31-31 ball game. The Eagles scored 28 unanswered points to erase a 31-10 fourth quarter deficit. The Philadelphia victory puts the Eagles in sole possession of first place in the division. Philadelphia swept the two game season series against New York with yesterday’s comeback win. The Giants will have to settle for a wildcard if they hope to make the post-season. New York fell to 9-5 in one of the worst losses in franchise history.
Mario Manningham put the Giants on the scoreboard with his first of two touchdown catches with 3:36 to go in the opening quarter. Manningham caught a 35 yard pass from Eli Manning to complete a nine play, 71 yard drive for the G-Men. The Eagles scored their only points of the first half two minutes into the second quarter. David Akers sent a 34 yard field goal into the end zone to make it a 7-3 game. The Giants’ offense unloaded a pair of touchdowns and added a field goal to increase their lead to 24-3 at the break. Manningham hauled in his second touchdown, a 33 yard bomb from Manning. The receiver finished with 113 yards on eight catches as the Giants trounced Philadelphia during the first half. Lawrence Tynes’ 25 yard field goal was followed by Hakeem Nicks’ eight yard score. Jeremy Maclin’s fumble late in the half was picked up by Giants’ safety, Kenny Phillips to set up Nicks’ touchdown. The Giants outgained the top-ranked Eagles’ offense 222-74 in the first half. It looked like Big Blue was going to coast to the top of the NFC East.
Michael Vick ran for a game high 130 yards and threw 242 behind center for the Eagles. The Giants succeeded in slowing Vick with blitzes for most of the game. Big Blue’s defense sacked Vick twice and constantly applied pressure. Vick completed just six passes for 33 yards. His first touchdown came via a third quarter strike to Maclin to make it 24-10 Giants. Kevin Boss pulled in an eight yard pass from Manning early in the fourth quarter to negate Maclin’s touchdown. The Eagles, facing a huge fourth quarter deficit, shocked the Giants in the final seven and a half minutes. Vick made late work with his arm and the Giants couldn’t tackle or defend. New York’s first 53 minutes of strong play went for naught. Eagles’ tight end, Brent Celek, got the comeback started with a 65 yard touchdown off a missed Phillips tackle. Celek turned a 30-something yard gain into seven points. Vick’s four yard touchdown scramble cut a rejuvenated Philadelphia’s deficit to one score. Maclin avenged for his earlier fumble with a 13 yard touchdown grab with 1:13 left to tie the game at 31-31. Then, there was the final play. Rookie Matt Dodge punted to the Eagles’ elusive return man and Jackson responded accordingly to top off the 28 point rally.

Parting Points: Song of the day- “The Way to Your Heart” by Soulsister